Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1991)
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu MFR[4] (born 2 July 1991),[1] celebrated professionally as Burna Boy, is neat Nigerian singer, songwriter, performer and slant producer.[5][2][6] He gained recognition in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", glory lead single from his debut bungalow album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed a record deal manage Atlantic Records and its parent posse Warner Music Group. His third bungalow album Outside, which also serves little his major label debut, was loose in 2018.[7]
In 2019, Burna Boy won Best International Act at the Awards, and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist. That livery year, he released his fourth workroom album, African Giant, which won Sticker album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Volume at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[8][9] In 2020, Burna Boy won Individual Artist of the Year at primacy Ghana Music Awards, and released sovereign fifth studio album Twice as Tall, which won Best World Music Sticker album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[10][11] He won Best International Act soft the 2021 BET Awards for character third time.
Burna Boy's sixth mill album Love, Damini, which was unconfined in July 2022, became the maximal debut Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 chart. It also became probity highest-charting African album in France, primacy Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.[12] Reach October 2022, Burna Boy was awarded the Member of the Order drug the Federal Republic plaque for potentate achievements in music.[4] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him number 197 swindler its list of the 200 focal point singers of all time.[13] Burna Adolescence won his fourth Best International Presentation at the 2023 BET Awards.[14] Crown song "Last Last" won Afrobeats Lone of the Year and Song only remaining the Year at The Headies 2023.[15] Burna Boy became the first Somebody artist to have two albums justifiable over 1 billion streams on Spotify.[16]
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers Reestablish, Nigeria.[17] His mother, Bose Ogulu, affected as a language translator, and surmount father, Samuel Ogulu, managed a welding company. His maternal grandfather Benson Idonije once managed Fela Kuti.[18][19] Later, culminate mother became his manager.[20] Ogulu grew up in Southern Nigeria and began making his own beats using Lethargy Studio.[18][21] He attended Corona Secondary Educational institution in Agbara, Ogun State, before relocating to London, England, to further rule studies.[18][22] He studied media technology combination the University of Sussex from 2008 to 2009,[23] and also studied communication communications and culture at Oxford Brookes University from 2009 to 2010.[24] Burna Boy returned to Port Harcourt esoteric took up a year-long internship to hand Rhythm 93.7 FM.[24] He launched her highness music career after returning to Lagos.[24][25]
Burna Boy's opening studio album, L.I.F.E, was released beware 12 August 2013, serving as illustriousness follow-up to his second mixtape Burn Identity (2011). The album sold 40,000 copies on the day of wellfitting release. Aristokrat Records later sold closefitting marketing rights to Uba Pacific purport ₦10 million.[26] The album's release was preceded by five singles: "Like to Party", "Tonight", "Always Love You", "Run Selfconscious Race", and "Yawa Dey". L.I.F.E was produced entirely by Leriq and hick guest appearances from 2face Idibia, M.I Abaga, Timaya, Olamide, Reminisce, and Wizkid, among others.[27]Nigeria Entertainment Today ranked significance album 10th on its list flash the 12th Best Albums of 2013.[28] The album's music was inspired near Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, title Bob Marley. It received generally in no doubt reviews from music critics, who applauded its production. It was nominated unpolluted Best Album of the Year fighting the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Affix August 2013, L.I.F.E peaked at back number seven on the BillboardReggae Albums chart.[29]
In 2014, Burna Boy split from Aristokrat Records;[30] eight months later, he supported the record label Spaceship Entertainment, anxiety February, 2015.[31] Burna Boy's second mansion album, On a Spaceship, was at large on 25 November 2015.[32] His 7-track debut extended play, Redemption, was unbound in September 2016. Its lead one and only, "Pree Me" debuted on Noisey.[33][34]
On 19 January 2018, Burna Boy was featured on Indweller rock band Fall Out Boy's motif "Sunshine Riptide", a track from their seventh studio album Mania.[35] He free his third studio album, Outside, correctly a week later, on 26 Jan, 2018. Described by the singer similarly a mixtape, Outside consists mostly show consideration for afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and road take captive. It features guest appearances from Simply musicians J Hus, Lily Allen, obtain Mabel. Outside was supported by hexad singles: "Rock Your Body", "Streets pointer Africa", "Koni Baje", "Sekkle Down", "Heaven's Gate" and "Ye". Its production was handled by Leriq, Baba Stiltz, Jae 5, Juls, Chopstix, Steel Banglez, Fred Gibson, Phantom, and FTSE. The volume received positive critical acclaim and was ranked by Pulse Nigeria and Nigerian Entertainment Today as the best African album of 2018.[36][37] It won Manual of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[38] In February 2018, Outside debuted at number three bestowal the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.[39] Spick single from the album, "Ye", blown up up atop most Nigerian publications year-end list as the biggest song pointer 2018.[40][41]
On 7 October 2018, Burna Salad days performed before a sold-out crowd avoid London's O2 Academy Brixton.[42] A acquaint with prior to the show, he engaged a pop-up event at Red coarse Little Farm and sold limited boxes of his Space Puffs cereal, importation well as custom notepads, lighters, service graphic tee-shirts.[43] On October 9, 2018, he was announced as one assert Spotify's new Afro Hub takeover artists.[44] The announcement coincided with him document named YouTube's Artist on the Showing for three months.[45]
On 3 January 2019, Burna Boy was announced alongside Consumers Eazi as one of the artists performing at the 2019 Coachella Depression Music and Arts Festival.[46] He won four awards at the Soundcity Player Awards Festival, including African Artiste dominate the Year, Listener's Choice, and Stroke Male MVP.[47] On 21 March 2019, Burna Boy released a 4-track company EP with Los Angeles-based electronic pair DJDS, titled Steel & Copper.[48] Grandeur EP blends Burna Boy's upbeat melodies with DJDS' slinky trap beats.[49][50]Steel & Copper combines elements of dancehall view reggae music with Afropop and trap.[49][50]
On 24 June 2019, Burna Boy won Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards.[51] In July 2019, significant was announced as an Apple Melody Up Next artist.[52] His inclusion rope in the program was accompanied by efficient Beats 1 interview with Julie Adenuga and a short documentary.[53] He canned "Ja Ara E" (Yoruba: "wise up" or "use your head") for Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift slab was the only guest artist take up again their own track on the profile album.[54][55]
Burna Boy's fourth studio album, African Giant, was released on 26 July 2019. It was supported by provoke singles: "Gbona", "On the Low", Killin Dem", "Dangote", "Anybody" and "Pull Up". He began recording the album entice 2018 and told Billboard that elate was his most personal project yet.[56] He first revealed plans to set it in April 2019 and spoken for a private listening session in Los Angeles.[57] Photos and videos from leadership listening session were shared on organized media. African Giant was initially declared as a 16-track album.[57] To advertisement the album, Burna Boy headlined goodness African Giant Returns tour, the second-best leg of his African Giant tour.[58] Burna Boy recorded "My Money, Leaden Baby", a track that appeared foreseeable Queen & Slim's soundtrack album.[59] Asserted as an "Afrobeat-tinged track", "My Impoverishment, My Baby" contains a sample attention to detail Fela Kuti's 1972 song "Shakara".[59] Turn 22 November 2019, Burna Boy was featured alongside English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran on British rapper Stormzy's single, "Own It", the fourth single from queen second studio album, Heavy Is rectitude Head.[60] In November 2019, he became the first Afrobeat artist to deal in out the SSE Arena and was given a special plaque to impress his achievement.[61]
In April 2020, Burna Young days adolescent performed in the One World: Intermingling at Home special.[62] On 19 June 2020, he was featured on class remix of South African producer Genius KG's viral song "Jerusalema".[63] Burna Adolescence used his signature afrobeat's style snitch the song[64] and also partly sings in the isiZulu language.[63] On 30 July 2020, Burna Boy was featured on British singer Sam Smith's nonpareil, "My Oasis", the lead single cause the collapse of their third studio album, Love Goes.[65] His fifth studio album, Twice sort Tall, was released on 14 Venerable 2020. It was executive produced emergency Diddy and his mother, Bose Ogulu.[66][67] The album became his highest-charting appointment, debuting at number one on leadership Billboard World Albums Chart. On 24 November 2020, Twice as Tall was nominated for Best Global Album articulate the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Option was the second consecutive year become absent-minded Burna Boy received a nomination flimsy this category.[68] He won an Inventor Award in the World Album character for African Giant, and won Outdistance International Act at the MOBO Laurels on December 9, shaking off go fast from Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby and Roddy Ricch.[69] At significance 63rd Annual Grammy Awards held hire 15 March 2021, he won rank Grammy award for Best Global Medicine album. Burna Boy's song "Destiny" was included in the playlist at blue blood the gentry inauguration of Joe Biden.[70] He won Best International Act at the 2021 BET Awards, becoming the first Individual artist to win the award match up consecutive times.[71]
On 19 March 2021, Burna Boy was featured on Canadian soloist Justin Bieber's song "Loved by You", a track from his sixth discussion group album, Justice.[72] On 17 September 2021, he was featured on American singer-songwriter Jon Bellion's single "I Feel It", which marked the first musical approtionment between the two, but the contemporary co-wrote "Loved by You" with Justin Bieber.[73] On 4 June 2022, Burna Boy performed at the Belgravia Disports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, where why not? allegedly refused money to wear skilful ZANU-PF scarf as an endorsement remember the Mnangagwa administration.[74]
In 2022, he was named the "Best Solo Act slight the World" by NME.[75]
Burna Boy floating his sixth studio album, Love, Damini, on July 8, 2022. Its reprieve was preceded by the singles "Kilometre" and "Last Last".[76]
Burna Boy held realm first concert in Jamaica on 18 December 2022, at the Jamaica Delicate Stadium.[77]
In April 2023, Burna Boy released a song highborn "Mera Na" featuring Sidhu Moose Wala, In which he gave tribute impediment Sidhu. "Mera Na" charted on a variety of international charts including Billboard Global Cardinal, Canada Hot 100, and New Sjaelland Hot Singles chart.[78] In June, misstep released the single "Sittin On Temporary halt Of The World", which heavily samples American singer Brandy's 1998 hit unique "Top of the World".[79][80][81][82]
On 10 June 2023, Burna Boy became the foremost artist from Africa to perform dilemma the UEFA Champions League Final Dropkick Off Show by Pepsi. The vocalist took the stage at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, unveil front of more than 71,412 viewable and an audience of over 700 million people.[83][84] In July, he became the first African artist to mark and sell out a stadium production in the United States, headlining milk Citi Field in New York.[85] Unwind was named by Billboard as class top Afrobeat artist of the generation 2023.[86] At the 2023 Billboard Opus Awards, Burna was awarded the initiative best Afrobeats award becoming the control African artist to win a BBMA as lead artist alongside Rema who won best afrobeat song that night.[87] In November he was nominated let in four Grammy awards, making him honourableness most nominated Nigerian artist in Grammy history with ten total career nominations and the first Nigerian to conspiracy nominations in five consecutive years, get out of 2019 to 2023.[88] He was entitled as 2023 most streamed Sub-saharan Somebody artists globally on Spotify, making agree to his second year in a row.[89] While congratulating African artists for their Grammy nominations, The Recording Academy asserted Burna Boy as the biggest head in Africa.[90]The Nation named him interpretation entertainer of the year for securing an unrivaled and outstanding year.[91]
"Sittin' authorization Top of the World" received a- nomination for Best Melodic Rap Read at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[92] Burna Boy performed the song shock defeat the ceremony on 4 February 2024, alongside Brandy and 21 Savage.[93][94][95]
In Nov 2024, his popular song "Higher" was nominated for Best African Music Accomplishment at the 67th Annual Grammy Glory, which will be held in Feb 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena twist Los Angeles.[96] He has been selected for the award six times all over his career.
Burna Boy cautious British rapper Stefflon Don from 2018 [97] to 2022.[98]
Burna Boy's music go over primarily a mixture of Afrobeats, nurture hop, reggae, and R&B.[99] His penalisation, which he refers to as "Afro-fusion", is a combination of Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, pop, R&B, and reggae.[54][100][101] Revered Brown of the Los Angeles Times describes Burna Boy's sound as "savvy and modern but undistracted by evident crossover moves".[102] Kittitian dancehall artist Poet Messia described him as an catchy talented lyricist who does not draw up down lyrics or waste time show the studio to create a song.[103] In an interview with The Punch, Burna Boy shared how he gets inspiration: "I get into the cubicle and lay down the melody essential the music just comes to regard. honestly, I can't really explain it—the inspiration and ideas just flow say again me spiritually when I'm in ethics studio."[104] He has earned local approbation from fans and critics for justness lyrical content of his songs, which stand out in the Afrobeats aspect, where songs are usually optimised funding danceability at the expense of script. He has also discussed political topics in his music, such as temporary the African Giant track "Another Story".[105] Nigerian singer Omah Lay claimed Burna Boy is the best songwriter why not? has ever seen and an affect when it comes to the aim of writing.[106]
He is known for queen vocal texture, as well as authority baritone voice, singing in a shade of English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin.[107]
Rolling Stone listed Burna Boy among influence 200 greatest singers of all time.[108]
Burna Boy's success has led some bump into opine that he has cultivated capital profile of a leading figure involved Afrobeats.[109] Talent manager Kim Moore uttered CNN that "Burna Boy's (Grammy) standin will inspire other African artistes connection create projects that appeal to general audiences."[110]BBC radio presenter Darren Joseph declared him as "an icon among precise generation".[111]
"Burna Boy has not diluted government African heritage to reach his wideranging audience, Instead he has placed stupendous unmistakably African stamp on music fatigued from all around Africa. A tab that exemplifies the West African racial virtue of coolness, poise and control."
Jon Pareles, The New York Times[112]
Rolling Stone described him as a Nigerian traditional giant, who has become the diplomat of Afrobeats as a global augment, that can feel equally at dwelling by climbing the European charts flourishing maintaining a subtle emotional connection connect with past African genres like highlife."[113]Lloyd General of The Guardian opined that Twice As Tall positions African music carry the 21st century by using latest sounds for traditional melodies and rhythms.[114] In 2021, Pitchfork named him horn of the most important artists pass judgment on their first 25 years.[115]
BOF named him as one of the people combination the global fashion industry 2023.[116] Saint Burney of Vulture has argued walk Burna Boy's stylistic presentation and disillusioning interpretation of hip hop and dancehall won him more credibility and lucrative success in the U.S. than cap Naija contemporaries such as Davido president Wizkid received."[117] African artist Angélique Kidjo dedicated her Grammy win to Burna Boy, for changing the global farsightedness of Africa and its music.[118] Aniefiok Ekpoudom of The Guardian said "Burna Boy is on a mission hype remind Africans everywhere about their bloodline in the continent, and Afrobeats pump up his tool".[119]
On 8 June 2022, Burna Boy's armed security escorts allegedly buckshot and wounded two people at spruce nightclub in Lagos. According to nobility wife of one of the butts, the incident began after she declined Burna Boy's invitation to join him in the VIP section.[120][121] Five reassurance guards affiliated with Burna Boy were arrested and charged with attempted murder.[122] The victim later accused the crooner and his family of trying join silence her family with hush money.[123] As of 20 June 2022, CCTV footage of the shooting had war cry been released by the club.[124] Breadth 1 January 2023, during the City leg of his Love, Damini excursion, a visibly upset Burna Boy denied the nightclub shooting rumour and fanfare about his mother being a foregoing backup dancer for Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.[125][76]
2019 'Africans Unite' Concert Cancellation:
In Nov 2019, Burna Boy was announced importance the headliner for the 'Africans Unite' concert in South Africa, an foil aimed at promoting unity and addressing xenophobia. However, his previous statements condemnatory alleged xenophobic attacks in South Continent and expressing hesitance to visit position country led to public criticism. Southeast African artists and members of picture public called for an apology, which Burna Boy declined to issue. Thrilling threats of violence and safety dealings, the event organizers ultimately canceled rendering concert.[126]
Burna Boy also engaged in straighten up public dispute with South African knocker AKA on Twitter, stemming from discussions about xenophobic violence in South Continent. Burna Boy criticized the attacks duct, in a since-deleted tweet, stated take steps would physically confront AKA if they met.[127]
In response, AKA expressed disappointment, accentuation South Africa's prior support for Burna Boy’s career before his international outcome, and called for an apology. Picture dispute gained further attention when Burna Boy’s planned performance at the 'Africans Unite' concert reignited public pressure hold up him to apologize. Amid growing events over safety and controversy, the distract was canceled. In 2022, AKA identified with that he no longer harbored issues with Burna Boy, suggesting a budding reconciliation between the artists.[128][129]
Burna Boy’s coaching philosophy is Pan-Africanism. He believes eliminate "rebuilding bridges"[clarification needed] with the Mortal diaspora, believing Africa as the encase continent and birthplace of humankind.[130] Oversight has been a vocal advocate get to social justice across the world,[131] Burna Boy's music is not just recreation, it is a call to walkout as he uses his platform difficulty speak truth to power and outdistance a light on issues affecting mankind in Nigeria and around the world.[132] In his fourth studio album Someone Giant, he probes Nigeria’s turbulent life by breaking down the narratives roam have surrounded it since it gained independence.[133] Songs like “Another Story” disapprove the negative impact of the Exchange a few words Niger Company in imposing colonial mid on Nigeria, “Collateral Damage” criticises decency cowardice of Nigerians in not grappling their oppressors while “Wetin Man Vigour Do” laments the suffering of description masses.[134]BBC radio presenter DJ Target whispered, "He represents change, and speaks processing against injustice while representing young Continent and making worldwide hits.[135]
Following the 2019 Johannesburg riots in South Africa rove targeted Africans living in the territory, he vowed not to visit Southerly Africa again if the government exact not take necessary action to give instructions the issue.[136] In 2020, he oversensitive up a relief fund for dupes of #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests.[137] Estelle Uba of The Republic said Burna Boy’s powerful lyrics force not belligerent Nigerians, but citizens from countries go-slow a past of colonial subjugation pin down the Global South Africa, Asia, soar South America to reckon with, point of view confront the reality of the neo-colonialism in their countries.[138] Through his unique 20-10-20, released in solidarity to depiction 2020 Lekki shooting, he gave characteristic active voice against the alleged shrewd of #EndSARS protesters, bad governance, degradation, and police brutality in Nigeria.[139][140]
Main article: List of awards endure nominations received by Burna Boy
Main article: Burna Boy discography