My people don’t believe I’m on the same level as American artistes – Burna Boy

International Afrobeats and Dancehall singer, Damini Ogulu, known by his stage name, Burna Boy, has bemoaned not being respected enough by Nigerians.

He said his compatriots don’t believe he is on the same level as American music stars because of how he sounds.

Burna stated this in an interview with Los Angeles Times as he talked about how his countrymen often rate up-and-coming American rappers above him.

The singer said his forthcoming album “I Told Them…” is his flippant response to naysayers who have attempted to discredit him, both in the beginning of his career and now.

The self-styled “African Giant” said American songs used to dominate Nigerian media houses’ playlists but that has changed thanks to the explosion of afrobeats.

Burna Boy said; “To this day, there’s many Nigerians who can tell you an American rapper who just started their career, and they’ll say they’re bigger than Burna Boy. They don’t understand it. They’ll say, ‘There’s no way someone who talks like me, can even be on the same level as an American artist.”

Meanwhile in another news…

CorrectNG reported months ago that the United Kingdom began talks with organisers of Burna Boy’s new year show in Lagos with a view towards partnering to give the entertainment sector a boost.

Impressed by Burna Boy’s ‘Lagos Loves Damini’ concert which held on January 1, 2023, a meeting was held with the organisers at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

Creative Economy Catalyst Ltd, the main promoter of the show, Kaycee Kennedy and Country Director, UK Department for International Trade, Chim Chalemera were at the meeting.

Kennedy, while giving his remarks said the positives of the concert include that it was the first African Show listed on Burna Boy’s official website with ticketing details.

The promoter explained that ‘Lagos Loves Damini’ was the biggest outdoor music concert with over 30,000 audiences.

He added that other major positives included the fact that there were no reported casualties, theft, sexual assault or harassment.

Kennedy, however, observed that in spite of the positives, there were some challenges and learning points.

He said that the desire to address the main challenges and negatives encountered at the Lagos show necessitated the visit to the British Deputy High Commission to meet with the UK Department for International Trade and discuss possible collaboration for future events.

Also, speaking at the meeting, Chalemera said she was delighted about the potential benefits of the partnership with Burna and his team.

She said; “The UK is very happy to support the Creative Economy Catalyst team as part of our extensive engagement with the Nigerian Creative Industry.

“The UK has much to offer in terms of expertise when it comes to the delivery of large-scale entertainment events such as concerts and festivals. We look forward to seeing how this expertise can be applied for future events.”

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