Did you know that Burna Boy is one of the most prominent figures in popularising Afrobeats worldwide?
He is widely recognised for his distinctive sound, a seamless fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae and pop that has reshaped contemporary African music.
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was born on 2 July 1991 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His rise to global prominence was not sudden, but the result of a decade-long journey defined by persistence, artistic originality, strategic collaborations and a strong sense of cultural identity.
His international breakthrough came in 2018 with the album Outside and the hit single Ye, which earned widespread acclaim and firmly positioned him on the world stage. Since beginning his professional career in 2010, Burna Boy has remained remarkably consistent, releasing eight studio albums and establishing his own record label, Spaceship Records.
In 2021, he won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album with Twice as Tall, alongside numerous other honours, including four BET Awards. On the global music scene, he is known for chart-topping songs such as Last and Sittin’ on Top of the World. He also holds the record for the highest-grossing tour by an African artist, with his 2023–2024 I Told Them… tour generating over $30.5 million.
Burna Boy has continued to break boundaries. He became the first African artist to headline and sell out a stadium in the United States and to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show.
Beyond music, Burna Boy has emerged as a socially conscious artist. Like pioneers such as Ruggedman and Eedris Abdulkareem, he uses his platform to address political and social issues. His music frequently tackles themes of injustice, governance and African identity, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti.
Songs such as Collateral Damage criticise corruption and inequality, highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens in the face of public mismanagement. In Another Story, he reflects on Nigeria’s colonial history, portraying it as a transactional enterprise and examining the lasting consequences of British rule and external influence in Africa.
During the October 2020 #EndSARS protests and the Lekki Toll Gate incident, Burna Boy released 20:10:20, a sombre tribute that memorialised the events and demanded accountability. He also established Project Protect, a relief fund to support victims of police brutality, and used public billboards to amplify the movement’s message.
His activism extends into humanitarian efforts, including food distribution initiatives, a documentary highlighting environmental pollution in Port Harcourt, and recent financial contributions towards securing the release of inmates imprisoned for minor offences.
Through his music and actions, Burna Boy consistently champions African pride, unity and excellence. His work promotes global Black consciousness and calls for a continent that stands confident and respected on the world stage, reinforcing his status not only as a global music icon, but as a powerful cultural voice of his generation.
