Burna Boy Apologizes, Clears Air on Afrobeats vs. Afro-Fusion

Burna Boy Clarifies Past Afrobeats Comments, Says He Meant No Disrespect

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has addressed the backlash surrounding his past remarks about Afrobeats, offering an apology and clarification about his intentions. The Afro-fusion star emphasized that his words were never meant to undermine the genre but rather to explain his own musical identity.

During an interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, which began trending on Tuesday, Burna Boy shed light on his earlier comments. He explained that his decision to label his music “Afro-fusion” came from a need to create a space for his sound—one he felt didn’t fully fit within the existing Afrobeats framework.

“I called my music Afro-fusion because it didn’t seem like there was room for it back home. I had to create something that reflected my own style,” he shared during the interview.

The singer acknowledged that his past statements—particularly ones suggesting Afrobeats lacked lyrical substance—were widely misinterpreted. He admitted that those views were expressed from a limited perspective and didn’t reflect the full depth and cultural impact of the genre.

Burna Boy’s comments come as part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between his evolving sound and the Afrobeats community, reaffirming his respect for the genre that helped bring African music to a global stage.

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“Back then, I didn’t get why people were so eager to label my music. I didn’t realise that having a unifying term was key to taking our sound global,” Burna Boy admitted. “If I had understood the importance of that framework at the time, I would’ve handled things differently.”

The Nigerian star faced heavy criticism in 2023 after an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, where he commented that Afrobeats lacked depth. Reflecting on that controversy, Burna Boy now acknowledges the genre’s essential role in elevating African music on the world stage.

“Why would I tear down what I’m working so hard to build?” he said. “I sincerely apologise for the confusion my words caused.”

His recent remarks mark a shift in tone—one that embraces the collective identity of Afrobeats while still celebrating his personal evolution as an artist.

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Burna Boy expressed a deeper appreciation for Afrobeats, recognizing its powerful influence in elevating Nigerian and African music on the international stage.

“I now fully understand the impact Afrobeats has had in getting all of us global recognition,” he said. “My respect for that is stronger than ever.”

His closing remarks reflect a more grounded perspective, highlighting his growing alignment with the genre that helped shape his journey—even as he continues to blaze his own unique path.