‘Why Would I Destroy What I’m Trying to Build?’ – Burna Boy Apologises for Distancing Himself from Afrobeats
🗓️ 16 July 2025
🖋️ Byline: IDNN Entertainment & Music Desk
Lagos, Nigeria – Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy has apologised for his earlier stance on Afrobeats, saying he now understands the genre’s importance in placing African music on the global map.
In a revealing interview on a UK Afrobeats platform, Burna said his past resistance to the Afrobeats label stemmed from confusion, not arrogance, and that he deeply regrets how his words were received by fans and fellow musicians.
“I didn’t realise the Afrobeats tag is needed to make it global,” he said.
“There wouldn’t be R&B or Hip-Hop if their beginnings had so much separation. So now, I totally get it — and I apologise for the confusion.”
The Backstory: Burna vs Afrobeats
In 2022, Burna Boy had ignited controversy by saying his sound was Afrofusion, not Afrobeats, sparking debates across the African music community.
“My music can’t be boxed in. It draws from everywhere,” he had said at the time.
Many saw the remark as elitist, suggesting he was distancing himself from the genre that helped elevate his career.
The backlash was swift. Critics accused him of undermining a cultural movement, even as he topped Afrobeats charts and headlined festivals under the same banner.
‘I Was Wrong About the Label’ – A Shift in Perspective
Now, Burna admits that he misjudged the value of having a unified musical identity for Africa’s growing influence in global music.
“At the time, I didn’t understand that we need an umbrella for the genre to get recognition — like R&B and Hip-Hop did,” he confessed.
He said it took time, feedback, and watching the division it caused for him to realise the damage his comments might have caused.
“If I had understood then, I would have gone about it differently. Why would I want to destroy what I’m building?”
Industry Responds: A Welcome Course Correction
Industry observers see the apology as a necessary course correction ahead of Burna Boy’s upcoming projects, which include collaborations with major U.S. and South American artists.
“This is the clarity we needed from him. His voice carries weight globally,” said Afrobeats journalist Adaora Nwachukwu.
“By embracing the genre, he protects everyone rising behind him.”
Burna Boy’s New Mission: Build, Not Divide
Burna Boy now says he intends to use his platform to champion African music under a unified identity, regardless of subgenres.
“We can have Afrofusion, Afrodrill, Amapiano — but let Afrobeats be the house we all grow from.”
He encouraged young artists not to fall for division or ego traps, and to remember that global recognition comes with collective branding.
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