Burna Boy Apologises for Distancing from Afrobeats

Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has publicly apologized for his previous remarks distancing himself from Afrobeats, clarifying that his comments were due to a misunderstanding of the genre's importance. Initially, he rejected the Afrobeats label, preferring to describe his music as Afro-fusion to reflect its diverse influences, but now acknowledges the unifying power of Afrobeats as crucial for promoting African music globally. Burna Boy admitted that his earlier statements, including claims that Afrobeats lacked lyrical substance, caused division and were made during a difficult mental period. Through reflection and the backlash he received, he recognized the necessity of the Afrobeats umbrella term to advance the culture worldwide and expressed regret for any confusion caused. He has since embraced the Afrobeats identity and incorporated it into his latest work, emphasizing unity within the African music community. His apology signals a renewed commitment to the genre that helped elevate African music on the world stage.