Avellon Williams
NIGERIA- In a recent interview, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulubetter known as Burna Boy, a popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer, stated that history should teach the truth about African pre-slavery history rather than Western culture.
The singer expressed concern that the younger generations of Africans are not being taught anything about themselves, but only about the colonists and the Queen of England.
In his word: “They tell us things that make no sense to us. And that puts us in our heads that we have no power and that we are inferior to the colonial masters.
“I want the truth of our story before slavery, and before the colonialism of the white man to be the true story being told”.
“It wasn’t always like that. Some people came here and lied to you and took your crown off your head and said you’re a slave when in fact they came here and knew you as a king,” he said.
It should be noted that the singer has made some controversial statements and posts in the past. The most recent discussion centered on his decision to remain childless despite being 31 years old.
The African giant revealed to Billboard about his album that he is childless at 31 years old. As he got older, he revealed that he occasionally contemplated his childlessness.
“When you’re 31, and you don’t have kids, everything is good and bad at the same time. You think, and then you become as brilliant as you can be.”
Previously, he said he does not want to have children until he is financially stable.
An overview of ‘Burna Boy’
The 2nd of July 1991 is the birthday of Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, one of Afrobeats’ foremost artists. He was born in Port Harcourt, a coastal city. Native to Rivers State, he hails from the Niger Delta and South-South regions of Nigeria.
As his mother is a Yoruba woman named Bose Ogulu, he comes from a mixed family. He is the son of Samuel Ogulu. A very creative family is the background of Burna Boy.
His older brother, Nissi Ogulu, is a singer and mechanical engineer. Romani Ogulu, his older sister, is a scientist and designer. Benson Idonijie, a veteran radio broadcaster, music critic, and one-time band manager of Fela Kuti, is his grandfather. Aside from that, his mother was a former Kalakuta Queen, one of the female dancers of Fela Kuti.
He was raised in the Christian faith by his parents and spent his early years in Port Harcourt and Lagos City. Born into a family with a rich artistic background, Burna Boy discovered his musical talent at a very young age and faced no resistance from his parents. As a result of their encouragement, he began composing songs while still in high school.
Burna Boy is considered one of the best singers and songwriters on Africa’s continent, possessing tremendous discography and several accolades.
‘Twice As Tall’, his fifth studio album won the Best World Music Album Category at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021.
The music giant shot to fame in 2012 after signing with Aristokrat Records and releasing the single ‘Like To Party’ from his debut album, L.I.F.E, released in 2013.
A three-time International Best Act at the BET Awards and the first Afrobeats artist to sell out Wembley Arena (SSE Arena), Burna Boy founded Spaceship Entertainment and is currently signed to Warner Music Group.
Burna Boy accomplished what most of his counterparts took decades to accomplish. After ravaging the music industry in 2010, he gradually worked his way to the top over the next two years, carving a niche for himself as one of Nigeria’s hottest young stars.
Despite his limited mainstream appeal, the vocalist has all that it takes to become incredible like Fela Kuti or King Sunny Ade. In addition to his voice, abilities, aptitudes, allure, and vanquishing soul, Burna Boy has overcome numerous obstacles in the music industry.
Aiming to be one of the most outstanding musicians of all time, he knew his music would need to stand out to achieve this goal. So, he was influenced by records by artists such as Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and King Sunny Ade, among others, while towing the path of Afrobeats.
According to some, Burna Boy is among the top three artists on the continent, along with Wizkid and Davido. He is currently managed by his mother, Bose Ogulu.
