Fela Didn’t Inspire Me – Burna Boy
By Emmanuel Daniji
Grammy-winning Nigerian artist, Burna Boy, has stirred fresh controversy after dismissing claims that Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti inspired his music.
In a recent conversation with tennis icon Roger Federer, the African Giant acknowledged that Fela’s records were part of his childhood soundtrack but insisted they were not a source of inspiration.
“The first album I ever got was Joe’s [R&B singer] record, which I received as a gift for my 10th birthday,” Burna Boy revealed. He added that he later got Fela’s albums from his grandfather, Benson Idonjie, who was Fela’s first manager.
He further listed Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Tupac’s Makaveli as albums that shaped his formative years.
However, when Federer asked which had the biggest impact on him, Burna Boy replied, “Honestly, none,” before admitting, “Fela was a big influence on me.”
The remarks have sparked mixed reactions among fans and critics, given Burna Boy’s heavy sampling of Fela’s works in several hit tracks, including Ye, My Money, My Baby, and Gbona.
While Burna Boy insists that Fela was not a direct source of inspiration, many argue that his sound and artistic persona are deeply rooted in the Afrobeat pioneer’s legacy.
