Burna Boy apologizes for distancing himself from Afrobeats

Burna Boy has publicly apologized for his previous criticism of Afrobeats, saying his earlier comments were made from a place of misunderstanding and during a difficult emotional period.

In an interview with BBC’s Eddie Kadi on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show, the Grammy-winning Nigerian artist clarified that he now fully appreciates the importance of Afrobeats as a unifying genre that has propelled African music globally.

In 2023, Burna Boy, in an interview with Apple Music, claimed Afrobeats lacked lyrical substance and distanced himself from the genre, but rather called his style “Afrofusion.”

He now recognizes that Afrobeats serves as an essential umbrella term for African artists to thrive collectively on the global stage.

He revealed he was in a “dark place mentally” when he made those statements and that his emotional state influenced his perspective. “I wasn’t the happiest man in the world,” he admitted. 

Burna Boy explained that he initially chose the term Afrofusion because he felt his music didn’t fit neatly into the Afrobeats category in the early days of his career. He didn’t understand the broader cultural and commercial significance of the Afrobeats label at the time

He emphasized the importance of unity among African artists and acknowledged Afrobeats’ role in elevating Nigerian and African music globally. “I realise the role Afrobeats has played in putting all of us on the map. I respect that now more than ever,” he said. 

Burna Boy’s latest album; No Sign of Weakness released on 11th July, 2025, highlights his renewed embrace of Afrobeats. The album includes collaborations that highlight the genre’s influence, such as a track with Mick Jagger titled “Empty Chairs”.