Under fire Burna Boy bows to pressure, apologizes for Afrobeat criticism

Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy has apologized for his past remarks about Afrobeats music.

He had previously said that “90 percent of Afrobeats songs lack substance,” which upset many fans, artists, and critics.

They felt he was disrespecting the genre that helped him and many others gain international fame.

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show, Burna Boy admitted that he spoke out of frustration and wasn’t in a good creative space at the time.

“I was in a dark place creatively and felt boxed in. I wasn’t trying to bring anyone down, but I now see how my words were taken. I understand the backlash and I’m sorry for the confusion,” he said.

He explained that his issue wasn’t with Afrobeats itself but with being labeled as only an Afrobeats artist. Burna Boy prefers to call his music “Afrofusion,” a mix of dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and African sounds.

“I’ve always tried to push musical boundaries. I felt limited by the label Afrobeats, not by the genre itself,” he added.

His original comments made in 2023 were seen by many as dismissive of other Nigerian and African artists who have helped make Afrobeats popular around the world.

Following his apology, social media reactions were mixed. Some fans appreciated his honesty, while others believed he was only apologizing because of public pressure.

Despite the controversy, Burna Boy remains a major figure in African music. His latest album, No Sign of Weakness, released in July 2025, features global collaborations and is currently topping charts.

With this apology, Burna Boy seems to be trying to make peace with the Afrobeats community and reinforce his respect for the music that helped shape his career.