Burna Boy Alleges Nigerian Music Industry Gatekeepers Tried to Derail His Career
Grammy-winning star Burna Boy has alleged that key figures within the Nigerian music industry made deliberate efforts to hinder his rise to success.
The singer made the claim while reacting to a resurfaced interview clip where veteran music executive Obi Asika suggested that some industry insiders attempted to frustrate Burna Boy’s career before he eventually found major success on the international stage.
Commenting on a blog post sharing the video, Burna Boy said, “This is not even half of the story. They did everything they possibly could to break me. They are still trying their best. Lol. But all they did was create this unquenchable fire that will continue to burn them for eternity.”
Burna Boy first gained national attention with the release of his hit single “Like To Party,” featured on his debut album L.I.F.E (Leaving an Impact for Eternity). Despite the initial buzz, his momentum stalled in the following years, with his music largely confined to the underground scene.
However, his fortunes changed dramatically with the international success of his 2018 track “Ye,” from his critically acclaimed album Outside. The song propelled him to global fame, reigniting interest in his music at home and solidifying his status as one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
Today, Burna Boy is regarded as one of the continent’s top touring acts, consistently selling out arenas across the world.
