Burna Boy is arguably one of the most successful Nigerian artists when it comes to promoting Afrobeat globally. In addition to his recognition in the local industry, he is also known internationally as the ‘African Giant’. Through interviews and appearances on international TV shows, he has represented the Nigerian music industry. However, the great artist’s fame didn’t just appear overnight. Music production had been a passion of his since he was a child, laying the foundation for his successful career. With this article, you’ll find out key details about Burna Boy’s career and successful life.
Who is Burna Boy?
Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria, in 1991 to his parents, Samuel and Bose Ogulu. He is the first and only male child of the family with two sisters. It is safe to say that Burna’s background in a music-oriented family could have boosted his enthusiasm for music. Burna Boy’s grandfather, Benson Idonije, is a music critic and the first brand manager of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti. His mother, Bose Ogulu, is also a prominent woman in the entertainment industry. She is not just a talent manager to other musicians but also manages her son’s music career. His sister, Nissi Ogulu, is also a recording artist and musician. Samuel Ogulu, his father, and Ronami Ogulu, his older sister seem less interested in music and have gone on to build careers as entrepreneurs. Ronami is signed as her elder brother’s hairstylist.
RELATED: How Wizkid Became One Of The Highest-Paid Afrobeat Artists In The World
Talent And Class: Burna Boy’s Road To Greatness
Technically, Burna Boy’s career began as a ten-year-old who started producing beats on old software. He spent most of his early ages in the United States but connected to his roots musically when he met the producer, LeriQ. With LeriQ’s help, a 19-year-old Burna discovered his love for reggae and dancehall while exploring Afrobeat and Afrofusion music. From there, he released “Like to Party”, an instant hit that was commercially successful. In 2013, Burna Boy featured great artists like 2face, Wizkid, M.I, and Timaya in his debut studio album, L.I.F.E – Leaving an Impact for Eternity under Aristokrat Records. When Burna Boy broke away from LeriQ and his record label in 2017, he delivered more diverse albums than ever. He later collaborated with talented producer, Juls, to release “Rock Your Body”. In January 2018, he had the Nigerian music industry in a chokehold with the release of his third album, “Outside.”
Burna Boy: Becoming ‘The African Giant’
Burna Boy’s career is filled with great accomplishments but no one could have expected the heights to which he peaked with the release of the “African Giant” album in July 2019. This album is so loved that his fans and lovers of music proclaimed him the giant of African music. The album is a commercial success that earned Damini a lot of awards and global recognition. In the 62nd Grammy Awards, he was nominated in the Best Music Album category. He released another Album, “Twice as Tall” in August 2020 and made his fans proud as the album peaked at number 54 on Billboard 200 chart. He also did a solo single in 2021, in which he collaborated with Becky G on the single, “Kilometer”. Burna Boy is the first Nigerian artist to run a show at the popular New York venue, Madison Square Garden, in April 2022.
One would think not having a child outside of marriage like some of his colleagues would free Burna Boy of controversies but this isn’t the case as he has been involved in a lot of controversies since the start of his career ranging from his issues with law enforcement in the United Kingdom to the latest one in which his escorts allegedly wounded two people at a nightclub in Lagos on the 8th of June 2022.
RELATED: Here’s What Happened To Michael Jackson’s Estate After His Death
Burna Boy’s Endorsement Deals
Burna Boy’s net worth of $17 million is not from music alone. His success in the music industry has earned him endorsement deals from global brands. Many brands trust him to promote and influence their products based on his large fan base across platforms. The African Giant is known for only working with reputable and reliable brands such as Universal Music, Star lager beer, GLO, and Martell Cognac.
His Shows And World Tours
Burna Boy has attracted a lot of fans worldwide, not only for himself but also for his collaborators. His interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show has more than 1.6 million YouTube views. This was where he announced the release date of his latest album, “Love, Damini”. Since he released the album on the 2nd day of July, he has sold out nine arenas in North America and Europe and has attracted more than 13,000 people in each arena. In his “Twice as Tall” world tour, the African Giant was bent on taking Afrobeat to many places in the world. He visited France, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Canada, Belgium, the UK, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and many other countries. You’ll agree that when Burna Boy said he has performed in almost every country in the world, he was not blabbing.
READ NEXT: Here’s How Drew Barrymore Made Her $125 Million Fortune
Sources: CNN, Rolling Stone.
Source: Read Full Article
