Nairobi News

Burna Boy, often heralded as the King of Afrobeats, has expressed a bold and thought-provoking stance on the genre that brought him to international prominence. 

In an interview with “Just Being Benny”, the Nigerian music sensation candidly discussed his perspective on Afrobeats, a genre he has been instrumental in popularizing.

Burna Boy’s viewpoint takes a critical angle, as he remarks that Afrobeats, despite its widespread acclaim, is somewhat lacking in substantive content.

The artiste said a considerable portion of Afrobeats compositions lack a connection to genuine real-life experiences. He highlighted the prevalent trend in Nigerian music, which he often refers to as Afrobeats, and described it as predominantly superficial. 

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According to Burna Boy, many songs within this genre seem to be centered around trivial themes, rendering them devoid of any significant substance.

“Literally about nothing. There is no substance to it like there is nobody is talking about anything, it’s just a great time. Just an amazing time,” Burna Boy said.

Despite being an integral figure in propelling Afrobeats to global recognition, Burna Boy holds the belief that music should encapsulate the true essence of an artist. He pointed out that an artiste’s life is a mosaic of diverse experiences, including the good, the bad, the remarkable, and the challenging. 

He believes that music should mirror these complexities and depths, resonating with listeners on a more profound level. This perspective underscores his view that life isn’t solely about exuberant celebrations, but also encompasses the hardships and complexities that shape human existence.

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Burna Boy’s forthcoming album, titled I Told Them, is anticipated with great eagerness by his fans and the music industry as a whole. The artiste unveiled the tracklist for the album, further fueling the excitement that has been building around this project.

In a more intimate setting, Burna Boy hosted a private listening party on August 22, where he offered a glimpse into his thoughts and inspirations behind the upcoming album.

Adding to the buzz surrounding I Told Them, Burna Boy took to social media to unveil the artwork of the album. This move elicited heightened anticipation for what promises to be a significant addition to his discography. I Told Them will be Burna Boy’s seventh studio album, solidifying his status as a prolific and influential artist in the industry.

This highly anticipated album follows the success of Burna Boy’s Grammy-nominated sixth album, Love, Damini, which was released in 2022.

The consecutive release of these albums showcases Burna Boy’s unwavering commitment to his craft and his determination to continually explore new creative avenues within the realm of Afrobeats.

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