Burna Boy is one of Nigeria’s and the world’s most well-known musicians. With a Grammy Award already under his belt, Burna Boy has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a collection of talents that have dropped hit after hit during his rise to prominence.
Burna Boy has a strong family tie because his mother and sisters are his strongest fans and will go to any mile to show their love for him in terms of music and branding.
The Spaceship label owner also comes from a family that has a connection to Nigerian music great Fela Anikulapo Kuti, which we shall discuss later in the piece.
Aside from his musical abilities, Burna Boy is known for making controversial statements on and off social media. According to a recent article, the artist stated that everyone in Nigeria smokes marijuana, and the only reason it has not been legalized in the West African country is hypocritical. His statement elicited varied reactions from Nigerians; some supported him, while others condemned him.
This post focuses on what you should know about Burna boy biography; continue reading to learn more.
Burna Boy Age and Early Life
Burna Boy was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to a family with a long musical background. His grandpa, Benson Idonije, was the first manager of Fela Kuti, the famed Afrobeat pioneer, therefore Burna Boy was exposed to a wide range of musical influences from a young age. His mother, Bose Ogulu, a language translator and dancer, subsequently became his manager and had an important part in his professional success.
Burna Boy received his early education in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom to pursue further degrees. He studied Media Technology at the University of Sussex before enrolling at Oxford Brookes University to pursue Media Communications and Culture. During his time overseas, he developed a strong interest in music production, frequently making his beats and honing his skills.
Career
Burna Boy’s debut studio album, ‘L.I.F.E.’, was released on August 12, 2013, following the release of several mixtapes and singles. The album, which reached number seven on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart, was released by Aristokrat Records. His second studio album, ‘On a Spaceship’, was published on November 25, 2015, and his third studio album, ‘Outside’, was released on January 26, 2018.
In 2017, he signed with Bad Habit / Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music International worldwide, except for Africa, where he continues to release music under his own Spaceship Entertainment label.
On July 26, 2019, his fourth studio album ‘African Giant’ was published. ‘African Giant’ earned Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and is nominated for Best World Music Album at the 2020 Grammys.
On August 14, 2020, his fifth studio album, ‘Twice As Tall’, was released to critical acclaim. He won Best International Act at the 2020 MOBO Awards, and ‘Twice As Tall’ was named Best Global Music Album at the 2021 Grammys.
The Grammy nomination praised the album as “a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have propelled Burna Boy to international prominence.” He continues to push boundaries, fluidly merging styles and genres and bravely fueling the fire that is heating the melting pot of pop, Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and more.”
His second album, ‘Love, Damini’, was published on July 8, 2022, and his seventh studio album, ‘I Told Them…’, followed on August 25, 2023.
On June 10, 2023, Burna Boy became the first African musician to perform at Pepsi’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show. The artist ascended the stage at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, in front of over 71,412 fans and an audience of over 700 million.
In July, he became the first African musician to headline and sell out a stadium event in the United States, performing at Citi Field in New York. Billboard awarded him the top Afrobeat musician for the year 2023.
Burna received the inaugural best Afrobeats award at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, becoming the first African artist to do so, with Rema, who won best Afrobeats song that night. In November, he was nominated for four Grammy Awards, making him the most nominated Nigerian artist in Grammy history with 10 overall career nominations, as well as the first Nigerian to be nominated in five consecutive years, 2019–2023.
He was declared the most-streamed Sub-Saharan African artist on Spotify in 2023, for the second year in a row. The Recording Academy congratulated African performers on their Grammy nominations and recognized Burna Boy as Africa’s biggest artist. The Nation crowned him entertainer of the year for his unequaled and spectacular performance.
“Sittin’ on Top of the World” was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Burna Boy, Brandy, and 21 Savage all performed the song at the celebration on February 4, 2024.
In November 2024, his hit song “Higher” was nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which will take place in February 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. He has been nominated for this award six times throughout his career.
Song
Burna Boy rose to fame in the music industry in 2012, when he released the popular single ‘Like to Party’ from his debut album L.I.F.E. He featured other performers for the album, including 2face, M.I., Reminisce, Wizkid, Timaya, and Olamide. Burna Boy’s songs have a distinct Afro-fusion feel, influenced by Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Bob Marley.
Some of his other tracks include:
“Ye”
“Anybody”
“On the Low”
“Gbona”
“Killin Dem” (featuring Zlatan)
“Soke”
“Dangote”
“Odogwu”
“Wonderful”
“Collateral Damage”
“Rock Your Body”
“Pull Up”
“Another Story” (featuring M.anifest)
“23”
“Monsters You Made” (featuring Chris Martin)
“Real Life” (featuring Stormzy)
“Wetin Man Go Do”
“Spiritual”
“Bank on It”
“Level Up (Twice as Tall)”
Albums
Burna Boy has recorded numerous albums, including
“L.I.F.E. (Leaving an Impact for Eternity)” (2013): This was Burna Boy’s debut studio album, released on August 12, 2013. It includes smash hits including “Like to Party,” “Tonight,” and “Yawa Dey.” The album earned favorable reviews from music critics, establishing Burna Boy as a rising star in Nigeria’s music business.
“On a Spaceship” (2015): Burna Boy’s second studio album, was released on November 25, 2015. It features popular songs such as “Soke,” “Rizzla,” and “Jealousy.” The album demonstrates Burna Boy’s versatility as an artist, integrating genres such as reggae, dancehall, and afrobeats.
“Outside” (2018): Released on January 26, 2018, “Outside” was Burna Boy’s first huge international hit. The album includes collaborations with J Hus, Lily Allen, and Mabel. It features hit songs like “Ye,” “Heaven’s Gate,” and “Rock Your Body.” “Outside” gained tremendous critical praise, cementing Burna Boy’s reputation as a global music sensation.
“African Giant” (2019): This album, published on July 26, 2019, was Burna Boy’s most successful project to date. It includes guest appearances by Jorja Smith, Future, and Damian Marley. The album included smash singles like “Anybody,” “On the Low,” and “Gbona.” “African Giant” gained considerable acclaim and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
“Twice as Tall” (2020): “Twice as Tall” is Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, due out August 14, 2020. It was executive produced by American music entrepreneur Diddy and includes collaborations with Stormzy, Youssou N’Dour, and Chris Martin. The album included smash songs, including “Way Too Big,” “Monsters You Made,” and “Real Life.” At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, “Twice as Tall” won the Best Global Music Album category.
These are the main studio albums Burna Boy has released to date. In addition to these albums, he has released many EPs, mixtapes, and singles over his career.
Award and Nomination
Grammy Awards: Burna Boy received his first Grammy nomination in 2020 for his album “African Giant” for Best World Music Album. This nomination was a crucial milestone in his career, lifting his global prominence.
BET Awards: Burna Boy has received many nominations for the BET Awards. In 2019, he became the first Nigerian musician to receive the Best International Act Award. He was nominated for the same award in 2020.
MTV Europe Music Awards: Burna Boy was also recognized at the MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2019, he earned the Best African Act award, demonstrating his influence on the African music industry.
Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Burna Boy has garnered numerous distinctions at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. In 2013, he earned the Best New Act of the Year award. He’s also been nominated in categories like Best Male Artist and Best Collaboration.
Soundcity MVP Awards Festival: Burna Boy has received several Soundcity MVP Awards. In 2018, he won Best Male MVP and Song of the Year for his popular track “Ye.” He has also been nominated in categories such as African Artist of the Year and Video of the Year.
Headies Awards: Burna Boy has received recognition at the Headies Awards, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious music honors. In 2019, he received awards for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Ye.” In addition, he has received nominations for Best Pop Single and Best R&B/Pop Album.
MOBO Awards: Burna Boy has been nominated for the MOBO Awards, which honor music of black heritage. In 2019, he received the title for Best African Act, cementing his place in the worldwide music.
All Africa Music Awards: Burna Boy has been recognized at the All Africa Music Awards. In 2019, he received the awards for Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year for “African Giant.” In addition, he has received nominations for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
Nigerian Music Video Awards: Burna Boy received recognition in the Nigerian Music Video Awards. In 2013, he got the Best Pop Extra Video award for his song “Run My Race.” He has also been nominated for Best Afro Hip Hop Video and Best Use of Visual Effects.
International Reggae and World Music Awards: Burna Boy has received recognition at the International Reggae and World Music Awards. In 2020, he got the Best African Dancehall Entertainer Award.
Personal Life
Burna Boy dated Stefflon Don, a British rapper, from 2018 till 2022. In December 2024, reports circulated regarding Burna Boy’s romance with American R&B artist Chloe Bailey after she spent time with him during Lagos ‘Detty December’ celebrations.
Videos of them enjoying the nightlife in Lagos fanned conjecture even further. Premium Times Nigeria verified their relationship on February 7, 2025, after they were observed on a Valentine s-themed dinner date in Lagos, where they displayed public affection.
Burna Boy Net Worth
Burna Boy has an estimated net worth of $120 million, making him not just the richest Nigerian singer but also one of the most successful African artists in the world.
Social Media
Instagram: @burnaboygram
Twitter: @burnaboy
