Nigerian singer Burna Boy has claimed he is the ‘best’ musician in the country since Fela Anikulapo Kuti and has paved the way and brought Afrobeat genre to the mainstream in the world.
Burna Boy who lost the 2020 Grammy Award for the Best World Music Album to Angelique Kidjo tweeted his new found acclaim on Wednesday to the derision of many.
His tweet immediately drew comparison with other leading Nigerian musicians like Wizkid, Davido, 2Baba, DBanj, P-Square, etc. Others even made mention of Femi Kuti, son of legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
“FACT! I always knew I was and I am THE BEST. Everyone you think is the best KNOWS I’m BEST since Fela Kuti. But @timayatimaya told me something a long time ago that made me not care about being the best. “The World can do without the Best” the world will still spin regardless,” he tweeted.
FACT! I always knew I was and I am THE BEST. Everyone you think is the best KNOWS I’m BEST since Fela Kuti. But @timayatimaya told me something a long time ago that made me not care about being the best. “The World can do without the Best” the world will still spin regardless.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) February 12, 2020
Shortly after he tweeted, another user, Jezzy Joseph, questioned his claim. “I mean where the f**k are you when Afrobeat was struggling to hit the mainstream? The BEST paved the way for you. You came In when the table has already been set and here you’re claiming the BEST since Fela.😒”
The ‘Ye’ star replied to the fan by saying no one paved way for him, and he brought all the respect Afrobeat is currently enjoying.
He immediately replied “Lol. NOBODY paved shit for me. Everybody dey find them own. I bin Out here, if you knew the way they made us look weak by begging and paying the western world to like us you will see that no table was set and I’m the one that brought you the Respect you currently enjoy.”
This then drew even more reactions from Twitter users who felt Burna Boy was disrespecting those before him.
And this is not hate, if Burna Boy had won the Grammy, he would have told his crew and everyone around him to always lie down so he can walk on them. Relax boy, humility is everything. Learn from D’banj and co.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) February 12, 2020
Burna Boy has actually been the BEST since Fela. No one paved any way for him. He has been the best since Fela Durotoye contested presidency in 2019. A king
— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) February 12, 2020
I’ve read that Burna Boy’s tweet over and over and i think i get where he’s coming from.
But for me, it’s Wizkid, Davido, Olamide then Burna Boy!
— Samuel Mbah (@__Mbah) February 12, 2020
Burna that thanked Kanye West 2 years ago because his album title “ye” lifted his career is out here telling us he gave Africa the respect they have now lmao. Gotta respect the weed tho. Elite work tbh
— Casanova🦋 (@OlaTheOG) February 12, 2020
Burna Boy is within his right to call himself the BEST after fela.
That’s his own PERSONAL declaration,it doesn’t make it the fact.
You can put any tag on yourself as you deemed fit and motivated.
That’s being positive, “aspire to perspire your way to be the best” things.
— Tosin Olugbenga (@TosinOlugbenga) February 12, 2020
Burna Boy: I don’t care about streams and views because they’re fake
Burna: I’m so happy to hit 100m streams..
Burna: Foreign Recognition is Scam and slavery..
Burna: I’m so happy to be recognized for Grammy…
Burna: Nobody paved way for me..
Please Collect his phone now!!
— Trouble Maker 😒(G.O). (@ObongRoviel) February 12, 2020
Burna sent a fan away for not dancing at his show
Burna mocked artistes for celebrating streams then later celebrated his own when it started coming
Burna claims he did it all himself without honoring the OG’s
Man has mastered the act of making being corny look like confidence
— Aba Boy 👽 (@Frank_LeanXV) February 12, 2020
After losing the Grammy, Burna Boy joined the list of other home-grown Nigerian singers such as King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, who were all nominated in the past but failed to clinch the much-expected award.
It was Burna Boy’s first Grammy nomination and his multiple award-winning African Giant was widely expected to clinch it for him. He has been making headlines since he dropped the album.
