Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has apologized for previously distancing himself from Afrobeats, saying he misunderstood the value of the genre’s label, NaijNaira can report. His remarks clarify a stance that once caused friction among fans and fellow musicians.
In a recent UK interview, Burna Boy explained his earlier position came from not fully grasping the global significance of a unified sound. Back in 2022, he had identified with Afrofusion instead, emphasizing his music’s unique blend of African and global influences.
“I didn’t understand that we need an umbrella for the genre, for the music to get recognition like R&B and Hip-Hop,” he said. “If I had understood then, I would have gone about it differently. Why would I want to destroy what I’m building?”
The artist admitted he initially resisted the label due to concerns about being boxed in, but now recognizes its role in advancing African music worldwide.
He also added, “I didn’t realise the Afrobeats tag is needed to make it global… I totally get it and apologise for the confusion.”
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.