New Cat Saga: Burna Boy, Davido Rivalry Divides Nigerians

The ongoing rivalry between two renowned Nigerian Afrobeat icons, Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu) and Davido (David Adeleke), continues to generate buzz within the entertainment industry.

In a recent interview, Davido reignited the feud by asserting that he achieved fame before Burna Boy, referring to him as a “new cat” in the Nigerian music scene.

Davido acknowledged the rise of other talented artists such as Rema, Fireboy, Mayorkun, and Asake, stating that the future of Afrobeat is in good hands.

However, this comment did not sit well with Burna Boy’s fans, reigniting intense debates among music enthusiasts about the supremacy between the two artists.

Similar to the fan base debates surrounding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, fans of Davido and Burna Boy clash over who holds the upper hand.

While some argue that Burna Boy has been prominent since the release of his debut album, “LIFE,” in 2013, Davido’s supporters contend that his album “Omo Baba Olowo,” released in 2012, had a greater impact.

Speaking on the matter, Phil Roberts, the President of the Rock Music Federation, emphasized that all Nigerian music artists have contributed to the growth of Afrobeats, not just Davido.
He explained that the battle for supremacy stems from the competitive nature of the industry, with each artist striving to stay on top and prevent others from surpassing them.

Roberts emphasized that it is part of the entertainment industry and creates discussions that keep the artists trending.

Another perspective comes from Simeon Sunday, a popular media personality in Abuja, who agrees with Davido’s comment about Burna Boy.

According to Sunday, Burna Boy entered the mainstream music industry a year after Davido’s emergence, and his impact was felt primarily in 2019.

Sunday acknowledges that while Burna Boy currently outshines Davido with his global stadium tours, Davido’s reference to him as a “new cat” is not entirely unjustified.

He draws comparisons to when artists like 2Face and D’banj referred to Davido and Burna Boy as “new cats” themselves.

In conclusion, the rivalry between Burna Boy and Davido continues to capture attention in the music industry.

While their fans passionately debate their supremacy, industry insiders acknowledge the contributions of all Nigerian artists to the growth and global exposure of Afrobeats. The competitive nature of the industry fuels these discussions, keeping the artists in the spotlight.