Nigerian artist Gabriel Oche Amanyi, widely known as Terry G, has defended Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy over the recent controversy involving a couple spotted sleeping at his concert.
A viral video had shown Burna Boy instructing security to escort a couple out of his show after he noticed them asleep during his performance, an action that sparked wide criticism on social media.
In a clip shared on his X handle, Terry G argued that the backlash was unnecessary and influenced largely by Burna Boy’s status as a global public figure.
He said the singer’s reaction was justified, comparing it to what typically happens during a church service when someone dozes off.
“Una too like to dey hold people accountable just because dem don be public figures,” Terry G said. “If it happened in a church and someone was found sleeping, would the pastors not ask the ushers to wake them up?”
The singer added that sleeping at a concert could negatively affect an artist’s public image, especially if the moment goes viral.
“Because he’s a musician, you are going to his show to sleep, so the camera can capture that moment and spoil his show,” he said.
Terry G questioned why anyone would attend a music event, especially a high-energy performance, and fail to stay engaged.
The incident comes amid Burna Boy’s ongoing US tour disruptions, where some scheduled shows were cancelled due to low ticket sales and mounting criticism surrounding the Colorado incident.
Terry G’s defence adds a new angle to the unfolding public discourse about audience behaviour and the pressures artists face during live performances.