Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy is making headlines again, this time not for his music, but for his fiery response to backlash over his proposed free concert in Burkina Faso — a show that was ultimately blocked by the country’s government.
Taking to his Instagram Story, the Grammy-winning artist expressed both shock and frustration over the criticism he received online after announcing his plans to perform for free in the West African nation.
“I said I wanted to do a free show in Burkina Faso and I got a lot of positivity, but at the same time, surprisingly, some morons said a lot of unbelievably negative sht that had me in shock,”* he wrote.
In a bold and unapologetic message, Burna Boy addressed detractors directly:
1. “I’m sorry but YOU are not qualified to even speak my name if your only contribution to this world is typing dumb comments or talking into your cheap ring light and phone.”
2. “How can you tell me what to do for any part of my home ‘AFRICA’ when nobody in the history of your family tree has done anything significant… for any part of Africa or even planet Earth as a whole?”
3. “I have nothing to gain from anybody and I don’t owe anyone anything… My integrity is unquestionable. Therefore burn in hell if you said anything.”
The African Giant, known for his outspoken nature and pan-African pride, made it clear that his intentions were genuine and rooted in a desire to give back. The show, which would have been Burna’s first in Burkina Faso, was met with both enthusiastic support from fans and opposition from local authorities, reportedly due to “security concerns.”
Despite the cancellation, Burna Boy’s remarks underscore his commitment to Africa and the backlash often faced by artists trying to use their platforms for social impact.
