Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy, has declared that the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is the only musician he considers greater than himself.
The self-acclaimed “African Giant” made the statement during a live streaming session with popular American content creator PlaqueBoyMax, where he spoke passionately about Fela’s enduring influence on African music and global culture.
In a viral clip from the stream, Burna Boy was seen dancing and singing along to Fela’s 1981 classic protest anthem, “Coffin for Head of State,” before emphatically declaring: “He is the king. He is the only one greater than me.”
Burna Boy’s remark has since generated buzz across social media, with fans and music critics interpreting it as both an homage to Fela and a reaffirmation of his own confidence in his musical legacy.
The statement comes weeks after Burna Boy revisited the conversation around Fela’s influence on his artistry, clarifying that while the Afrobeat pioneer shaped his musical environment growing up, his own sound was not directly “inspired” by Fela’s style.
“Fela’s music was always around me as a child — it was part of the atmosphere,” Burna Boy said in a previous interview. “But my sound came from my own experiences and evolution.”
Born Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy burst onto the Nigerian music scene with his 2012 hit single “Like to Party,” from his debut album “L.I.F.E” (2013). Since then, he has evolved into one of Africa’s most decorated and internationally recognized artistes, blending Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and pop into a distinct genre he calls Afro-fusion.
His discography includes acclaimed albums such as “On a Spaceship” (2015), “Outside” (2018), “African Giant” (2019), “Twice As Tall” (2020), “Love, Damini” (2022), and “I Told Them” (2023).
Burna Boy’s 2020 album “Twice As Tall” earned him a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021, cementing his place on the global stage.
Continuing his prolific run, Burna Boy released his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” in July 2025, further solidifying his status as one of the most influential voices in contemporary African music.
With his latest declaration, Burna Boy once again underscores his deep respect for Fela Kuti’s revolutionary legacy — while confidently asserting his own dominance in the modern era of Afrobeat and global music.
