Opinion

Burna Boy: The New Face Of Afrobeat, Muyiwa Olayinka

By Muyiwa Olayinka

Afro beat is a music genre which involves the combination of West African musical styles such as Fuji beat and high life with American funk and jazz influences, with a focus on vocals, complex rhythms and percussion.

Afrobeat originally began in 1920s but it was coined remodeled and popularized by Nigerian legend, multi-talented and instrumentalist band leader, Fela Kuti. Fela’s name is synonymous with Afrobeat, promoting and making it known both within and internationally. His line of lyrics was politically charged that made him to be at logger heads with Nigerian’s authorities. Though Fela died in 1997, Afrobeat refuse to die with Fela.

There are many African music stars that have consistently push the barrier and promoted this genre of music. Apart from Fela’s teo biological sons (Femi and Seun) that have been keeping it alive, there are other notable artists like Lagbaja, Dede Mabiaku and Kola Gbedu Ogunkoya. There are notable bands from West Africa like Mombassa Roots Band (Kenya), Wiyala (Ghana) and Orchestra Poly Rhythmo De Cotonou (Benin).  Hugh Masekela, a South African legend and freedom fighter also had Afrobeat influence in his beats. The lists are endless.

With the emergence of hip hop in Nigeria and Africa, late 90s and in the millennium, the young, budding and ebullient stars could not resist Afro beat in their sounds. The likes of D’banj,Wizkid, Sound Sultan, Oritsefemi, Davido have promoted it  internationally.

D’banj one of the greatest entertainer that has ever come out of Africa, shone and dominated the music scene for a long time, simply because he’s a protégé  of Fela. His stage performance, dance and theatrics, a replica of Fela on stage, are so electrifying that he keeps his fans on their toes and asking for more.

Another emerging star taking Afro beat to the next level lately is Damini Ogulu.

Damini what?

Who is Damini Ogulu? 

You are wondering?

He’s stage name is Burna Boy. Now music followers can connect with this name. Burna boy is the new face of Afro Beat. He’s the new kid on the bloc that drinks, eats and sleeps Afrobeat.

Who is Burna Boy?

Burna Boy is a Nigerian Afro fusion singer and song writer. He took Nigerian music scene by storm with his 2012 singles “Like to Party”. Ever since this 27 year old lad who relocated from United Kingdom stormed Nigerian music industry, he has not looked back since then. A multi-talented artist that can easily switched from hip hop, dance hall to Afro beat, steadily built his crafts to become one of the hottest stars in Nigeria and Africa. Most of his songs that have made him the brand ambassador of many leading companies in Nigeria are laced with Afro beats.

Burna Boy’s connection with Afro beat

Music runs in the family of the Ogulus, especially from the maternal side of Burna Boy. His maternal grandfather, Benson Idonijie was a Nigerian broadcaster, a music critic famously known for the band manager of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. He was part of the pioneering group of broadcasters who started Radio Nigeria. Benson Idonijie was among the broadcasters that made ‘Sweet Mother’, an evergreen song by Nico Mbarga a hit in the 70s. 

Idonijie, an Edo man always fancied musicians and he was happy when luck smiled on him when his daughter Bose got married to her husband, Samuel Ogulu, another music lover, and brought forth Burna Boy to the world.

Burna Boy was born in Rivers state, but later moved to Lagos after his primary education and attended Corona school.    

Burna Boy’s father, Samuel Ogulu is from Mbiama, Rivers state. In his youthful days, he was a lover of music particularly Fuji music and high life. Samuel and Bose are lovers of music that is why when their son chose music as a career, they were quick to support him. There is an unconfirmed report that Burna boy’s mother was a dancer to Fela.

To prove their endorsement, Bose managed Burna Boy at some point until he got a manager.  At the Soundcity MVP 2019 awards where Burna Boy carted home 4 top awards; his mother was present to collect one of the awards for his son who was unavoidably absent.

2018 was one of the best years for Burna boy with his release of his studio album ‘Outside’ which got recognition and winning almost all the awards in Nigeria. The album went international and a track ‘Ye’ (a rendition of one of Fela’s classics) gained special recognition when American rapper Kanye West released his ‘Ye’ album in June 2018.

 Oluwaburna, famously called has ‘Gbona’, ‘On the low’ that became national anthems. Many of these songs are Afro beat induced. The club banger with Zlatan ‘killin Dem’ from this album is still hot on the street.

His latest song ‘Dangote’ is another rendition of one of Fela’s popular songs of the 70s and the 80s. Burna boy titled the song after the richest African, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. A classic and an inspiration song inspiring all to make money if despite the riches of Dangote, he’s still in the business of making more money.

The tireless efforts of D’banj, Wizkid, Sound Sultan, Davido and lately Burna Boy in promoting Afrobeat has made inroad at the World’s largest music labels. At 2019 Coachella Valley music and Arts Festival, Burna Boy and Mr Eazi will be representing Nigeria, performing with other international artists like Ariana Grande, Solange, Childish Gambino.

In the past two years, Sony and Universal have both set up shop in Nigeria, signing up several Afrobeat stars to publishing and distribution deals.

All hail Burna Boy, the new face of Afrobeat in Nigeria

Long live the King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the originator of Afrobeat.

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