Burna Boy is one of the most influential and successful Nigerian musicians of all time. He has won numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award in 2021. He is known for his fusion of dancehall, reggae, afrobeat, and pop, which he calls Afro-fusion. He is also the founder and CEO of Spaceship Records, a Nigerian-based record label. In this blog post, we will explore his life, career, and achievements.

Early Life and Education

Burna Boy was born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His mother, Bose Ogulu, worked as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce, while his father, Samuel Ogulu, worked in a welding company. His maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, was a broadcaster and jazz enthusiast who managed the late Nigerian music legend, Fela Kuti.

Burna Boy grew up in Southern Nigeria and began making his own beats using FL Studio. He attended Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State, and relocated to London, England, to further his studies. He studied media technology at the University of Sussex from 2008 to 2009, and media communications and culture at Oxford Brookes University from 2009 to 2010.

Musical Career

Burna Boy started his musical career in 2010, when he moved back to Nigeria and took up a year-long internship at Rhythm 93.7 FM. He adopted the stage name Burna Boy, inspired by his love for comic books and reggae/dancehall artist Buju Banton. He released his first single, "Shobeedo (Freestyle)", in 2011, followed by "Abeg Abeg Abeg", "Sweetest Girl" featuring Leriq, and "Firewood".

He rose to prominence in 2012, after releasing his hit single "Like to Party", which became the lead single of his debut album, L.I.F.E (Leaving an Impact for Eternity), released in 2013. The album featured guest appearances from 2face Idibia, M.I, Timaya, Olamide, Reminisce, and Wizkid. It received positive reviews from critics and fans, and was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

In 2014, Burna Boy split from his former label, Aristokrat Records, and founded his own label, Spaceship Entertainment. He released his second album, On a Spaceship, in 2015, which included the singles "Soke", "Don Gorgon", and "Check and Balance". He also collaborated with artists such as AKA, Da L.E.S, Sarkodie, and Phyno.

In 2016, Burna Boy released a 7-track EP titled Redemption, with the lead single "Pree Me". He also signed a deal with Universal Music Group's subsidiary, Island Records. In 2017, he signed with Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. He released his third album, Outside, in 2018, which featured the international hit "Ye", as well as "Heaven's Gate" featuring Lily Allen, and "Sekkle Down" featuring J Hus. The album received critical acclaim and was ranked by Billboard as one of the best albums of 2018.

In 2019, Burna Boy released his fourth album, African Giant, which was a huge commercial and critical success. It featured guest appearances from Zlatan, Future, YG, Jeremih, Damian Marley, and Angelique Kidjo. It spawned the singles "Gbona", "On the Low", "Killin Dem", "Dangote", "Anybody", and "Pull Up". It won Album of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. It also became the most streamed African album on Spotify and Apple Music.

In 2020, Burna Boy released his fifth album, Twice as Tall, which was executive produced by Diddy and featured guest appearances from Stormzy, Chris Martin, Naughty by Nature, Sauti Sol, and Youssou N'Dour. It won Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, making Burna Boy the first Nigerian solo artist to win a Grammy. It also became the first African album to debut in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2021, Burna Boy released his sixth album, Love, Damini, which was a tribute to his real name and his love for music. It featured guest appearances from Drake, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, and Rihanna. It became the highest debut of an African album on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number 4. It also became the highest-charting African album in France, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Awards and Achievements

Burna Boy has won numerous awards and accolades for his music, including four BET Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, two MOBO Awards, two Soundcity MVP Awards, two Headies Awards, and one Grammy Award. He has also been nominated for several other prestigious awards, such as the MTV Video Music Awards, the Brit Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards.

Burna Boy has also been recognized by various media outlets and publications as one of the most influential and successful African artists of all time. He has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Billboard, The Fader, GQ, and NME. He has also been included in lists such as Time's 100 Next, Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30, and Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Burna Boy has also been involved in various social and humanitarian causes, such as the End SARS protests, the Global Citizen Live concert, and the African Union's Year of Return initiative. He has also donated to various charities and organizations, such as the Reach Children's Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Lagos Food Bank.

What Are Some Of His Most Popular Songs?

Some of the most popular songs by Burna Boy are:

• For My Hand feat. Ed Sheeran: This is a romantic song from his 2024 album Love Damini, which features a collaboration with the British pop star Ed Sheeran. The song has over 138 million views on YouTube and was nominated for the Best Global Music Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

• It’s Plenty: This is a motivational song from the same album, which encourages listeners to overcome their challenges and pursue their dreams. The song has over 56 million views on YouTube and was praised for its catchy chorus and uplifting message.

• Ye: This is a song from his 2018 album Outside, which became an anthem for the Nigerian youth and a symbol of resistance against oppression. The song has over 140 million streams on Spotify and was named as one of the best songs of the decade by Billboard.

Burna Boy Net Worth

Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer who has a net worth of $12 million. He is one of the most popular and successful Afrobeats artists in the world, with seven studio albums and several awards to his name. He is also known for his activism and philanthropy, as he has supported various causes such as education, health, and social justice.

Burna Boy Cars

Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer who loves luxury cars. He has a collection of expensive and exclusive vehicles, such as:

• A Bentley Continental GT, a convertible car with a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine that costs about $218,350.

• A Rolls Royce Dawn, a red convertible car with a 6.6L Twin Turbo V12 engine that costs about $356,500.

• A Ferrari 458 Italia, a grey sports car with a 4.5L V8 engine that costs about $239,340.

• A Range Rover SV Autobiography, a luxury SUV with a 5.0L V8 engine that costs about $150,000.

• A Mercedes G Wagon (G63 AMG), a black SUV with a 4.0L V8 engine that costs about $130,900.

• A Mercedes Maybach S Class, a white sedan with a 6.0L V12 engine that costs about $173,000.

• A Lamborghini Urus, a purple SUV with a 4.0L V8 engine that costs about $225,500.

• A Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, a purple supercar with a 6.5L V12 engine that costs about $1 million.

These are some of the cars that Burna Boy owns or has owned in the past. He is known for his lavish lifestyle and his passion for music.

Burna Boy Houses

Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer who owns several houses in different locations. He has a stunning home in Lagos, Nigeria, which he moved into in early 2020. His home is a two-story building located on a serene 13,000-square-foot land in Lekki. It has seven bedrooms, a private cinema, a game room, a recording studio, a gym, and a swimming pool that starts inside the building and drains outside. His architect, Akose Enebeli, designed the house to reflect Burna Boy’s personality and style, as well as the natural beauty of the Port Harcourt region, where he was born.

Burna Boy also has a mansion in London, which he bought in 2019. He has not revealed much details about his London house, but he has shared some photos and videos of it on his social media accounts. The house seems to have a spacious living room, a modern kitchen, and a large backyard.

These are some of the houses that Burna Boy owns or has owned in the past. He is known for his lavish lifestyle and his passion for music.

Controversy And Activism Of Burna Boy

Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer who has been involved in several controversies and activism over the years. Some of them are:

• In 2016, he was accused of impregnating a lady named Uju Stella, who claimed he abandoned her and refused to take responsibility. Burna Boy denied the allegation and said he never had any relationship with her.

• In 2017, he was declared wanted by the police for allegedly masterminding an armed robbery attack on another singer, Mr 2Kay, at a hotel in Lagos. He was later arrested and granted bail after denying any involvement in the incident.

• In 2019, he faced backlash from some South Africans for his comments on the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreigners in the country. He vowed not to perform in South Africa until the government addressed the issue and also criticized some South African artists for their silence on the matter. He eventually performed at the Africans Unite concert in Cape Town, which was aimed at promoting unity and peace among Africans.

• In 2020, he was one of the leading voices in the End SARS protests, which demanded an end to police brutality and corruption in Nigeria. He released a song titled “20 10 20”, which paid tribute to the victims of the Lekki toll gate shooting, where security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters. He also set up a relief fund for the victims and donated money to various organizations supporting the cause.

• In 2021, he won his first Grammy award for his album Twice as Tall, which featured songs that addressed social issues such as colonialism, racism, oppression, and injustice. He dedicated the award to all Africans who have been struggling for freedom and recognition.

Burna Boy is a singer who uses his music and platform to speak out against injustice and oppression. He is also known for his lavish lifestyle and his passion for music.

Conclusion

Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who has made a huge impact on the global music scene with his Afro-fusion style. He has released six studio albums, won numerous awards and accolades, and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music. He is also a philanthropist and an activist who uses his voice and platform to advocate for social justice and positive change. He is truly an African giant of music.