Burna Boy is once again challenging the status quo, urging emerging artists to dream beyond the borders of Nigeria.
Taking to his Instagram story yesterday, the African Giant dismissed the significance of having the number one song in Nigeria, suggesting that it’s not an achievement worth celebrating. He took aim at the ever-active Nigerian fanbase on social media, known for engaging in polls and online comparisons, stating bluntly that none of these fans could help fill up a stadium anywhere in the world. “Dear artists, don’t let Twitter polls and ‘Naija social media fans’ deceive you. They won’t fill up any stadium for you in any part of the world,” he wrote.
He also addressed the value of streams from Nigeria compared to those from countries like the UK and US, pointing out that streams from the West yield significantly more revenue. His message to up-and-coming talents was clear: don’t settle for local applause—go global, where the real business is.
While Burna Boy’s remarks reflect the harsh economic realities of the Nigerian music market, his tone carries the same air of superiority that has characterized some of his previous statements. Referring to fans as just “Naija social media fans” implies he sees little value in their loyalty beyond the confines of the internet, even though these are the same fans who fuel online engagement and play a key role in the global spread of Afrobeats.
This moment also echoes his past controversies. Ahead of his last album I Told Them, he stirred backlash by telling Zane Lowe that Afrobeats lacked substance. He’s also previously stated that “nobody paved the way” for him—an assertion that drew the ire of industry veterans who felt their contributions to Nigerian music were being dismissed.
Now, as he gears up for the release of his eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, Burna Boy’s latest comments follow a familiar pattern—poking at the industry, questioning its standards, and positioning himself as the lone realist in a sea of hype. Whether fans agree or not, one thing is certain: Burna Boy never shies away from saying exactly what’s on his mind, and we love to see it.
