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Burna Boy Stirs Debate Over Fela’s Influence on His Music
Grammy winner Burna Boy says Fela Kuti’s records didn’t shape his artistry, despite sampling them in hits like Ye and Gbona. His remarks to Roger Federer have stirred debate.
Grammy-winning Nigerian star Burna Boy has sparked heated debate after downplaying the role of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti in shaping his music.
Speaking in a recent conversation with tennis icon Roger Federer, Burna Boy explained that although Fela’s records were part of his childhood, they did not significantly define his artistry.
He revealed that the first album he ever owned was an R&B project by Joe, which he received as a 10th birthday gift. He also acknowledged that his grandfather, Benson Idonije—who served as Fela’s first manager—introduced him to Fela’s sound.
According to Burna Boy, other albums that shaped his early listening habits included Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Tupac’s Makaveli.
When Federer asked which record had the greatest impact on him, Burna Boy initially replied: “Honestly, none.” He later added, “Fela was a big influence on me.”
The remarks have been described as contradictory by observers, given Burna Boy’s history of sampling Fela’s music in several of his hit songs, including “Ye,” “My Money, My Baby,” and “Gbona.”
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