Music journalist Joey Akan has strongly criticized Burna Boy’s emotional post about the demise of his “African Giant” persona
In a scathing response, Joey argued that Burna Boy’s transformation was not a result of betrayal by his people, but rather a self-inflicted consequence of his own actions.
Joey cited Burna Boy’s past behavior, including insulting Nigerian fans, dismissing local culture, and physically confronting concertgoers, as evidence of his growing disconnect from his roots.
According to Joey, Burna Boy’s global success led to a realization that his interests were better served outside of Nigeria, prompting him to distance himself from his cultural heritage.
Joey described Burna Boy’s actions as “madness” and “narcissism,” accusing him of eroding his goodwill and blaming his fans for his own problems.
In Joey’s view, the “African Giant” persona didn’t die at the hands of others, but rather committed “suicide” due to the pressures and pitfalls of success.
He wrote in full:
“African Giant” was not killed by ‘his people.’ It was suicide. Suicide induced by an abundance of success. After advocating for his people on a successful protest-esque project, Burna Boy’s subsequent ascent into global pop recognition came with a personal realisation that his bread is better buttered away from the complexity of Nigeria.
And so he began a campaign against his people and the culture that birthed him. He called the culture “substance-less,” called the country “a waste of time,” kicked fans at his concerts, and blamed his Nigerian listeners for any inconvenience he’s ever felt. “I’ll rather kill you than die for you…”
He said, to the same people who received him as a local champion, and spurred his elevation to new heights. And now, with the spectre of a new album looming, he’s restricted his listenership to “concert buyers,” backtracked that position with empty loveletters, while still accusing Nigerians of worse; “killing their idol.”
It’s akin to madness and the height of narcissism to erode your goodwill by self-inflicted cuts, while apportioning causality to your victims. You cut yourself and bled on Nigerians. And when we protested, you called us poor.
Burna Boy might have lived once as the people’s champ, but ever since the world opened up to him, he’s put his country on his chopping block, and pulled every available dagger in his arsenal. And with each delivered cut to his Africans, the African Giant has also bled himself out. Suicide. A self-killing, induced by the madness of success.”
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