12th February, 2020
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian Afropop singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy has declared himself as the best among his peers and the one who paved the way and brought Afrobeat genre to the mainstream where it is currently enjoying the western recognition.
Burna Boy who lost the 2020 Grammy Award for the Best World Music Album to Angelique Kidjo, stated this on his twitter page on Wednesday 12th, 2020.
The African Giant star also said many other artistes who also referred to themselves as best are aware that he is actually the best, but he does not care about being the best. “The World can do without the Best” the world will still spin regardless.”
“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.
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
However, a fan simply identified as Jezzy Joseph queried the singer for not recognising the artistes who have been promoting the Afrobeat since 2010-2018.
He said, “I mean where the fvck 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’ crooner replied to the fan by saying no one paved way for him, and he brought all the respect Afrobeat is currently enjoying.
He said, “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.”
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. https://t.co/oPS1HjPrEl
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) 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.
African Giant is the fourth studio album by Burna Boy, which was released on July 26, 2019, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music. The album is a mixture of Afro-fusion, Afrobeat, dancehall, pop, and hip hop.
Meanwhile, a lot of Nigerians have taken to their social media, especially Twitter to react to Burna boy’s claim that he brought the respect Afrobeat is currently enjoying.
See some comments below;
Still rate Wizkid, Davido, D'banj and Olamide over Burna Boy sha.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) February 12, 2020
Anything Burna said is none of my business. Let everyone hype themselves. I’m the best Influencer after Google. Nobody should stress me
— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) February 12, 2020
OK burna said he's the greatest of all, he's the king, he put afro-beats on the map, hes immortal… He said all of this, let's assume.
Is that why you people are shouting?
— captain steam (Nielo) (@nielo_2wit) February 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Anidaemperor/status/1227693331901243394
Immediately we finished hyping his sold out concert, spirit of sise sise just entered Burna Boy. He has been acting like a possessed dude ever since then. Trash talking as if he fell from heaven. Have you ever seen a king ruled forever? Only God Almighty is infallible. Calm down!
— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) February 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Adunni_Achebe/status/1227693736739704834
https://twitter.com/Sonjoe_Kutuh/status/1227694356666179586
The way Burna Boy dey behave after that Grammy nomination ehn, you go think say Grammy no nominate Seun Kuti sef in 2018
— Zaddy Ajala (@UNCLE_AJALA) February 12, 2020
Wizkid surpassed D'banj & 2face achievements but you'll never see him go out of his line by disrespecting & downplaying these Greats achievements
But, Burna that has his 1st hit song 2 years ago believes he his the one that brought the respects we enjoy
Foolishness at it's best
— if my tweet pain you, drink sniper (@Sakpo007) February 12, 2020