Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has addressed the backlash following a viral incident at the Greater Lagos Concert on New Year’s Eve, where he physically removed a fan who rushed onto the stage during his performance.
In a statement shared via his Instagram story on January 1, 2025, Burna Boy explained his reaction and reiterated his firm stance against such behavior:
“It was a free show. I was supposed to do 10 minutes and did almost one hour. Everybody knows my rule about getting on stage and startling me when I’m performing. I had an amazing time with Lagos State last night. Don’t jump on my stage like that! I got PTSD. I love you all. Happy New Year.”
The viral clip from the performance captured the moment the fan ran onto the stage, prompting Burna Boy to kick him away. Despite security quickly removing the fan, the artist ended his performance abruptly, signaling his disinterest in continuing.
The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with many questioning the artist’s reaction. However, Burna Boy’s explanation has drawn a wave of support from fans and observers who empathize with his stance.
One Instagram user defended the singer, saying, “These people complaining about him leaving the show. Do you see that he had to pause for some minutes after the incident? It was like a flash, and he was trying to understand what just happened!!! These people are humans too.”
Another fan commented, “Everyone’s fighting a battle. Whether celebrity or not, wealthy or not. Demons don’t know or care about status. Na you know wetin you dey deal with. Fans should stop jumping on stage like that. Enjoy the show. It could be fan love. But ask yourself, what if it isn’t?”
Highlighting Burna Boy’s consistent warnings, another supporter noted, “He has been quite vocal about his dislike for this stage-jumping. He’s human too. Sad that these overzealous fans will still attempt this again. Nobody should traumatize my ODG, please.”
While the incident has ignited debates about fan behavior and artist reactions, Burna Boy’s response has shed light on the potential emotional toll of unexpected disruptions during performances. The artist’s statement serves as a reminder of the boundaries fans should respect, even in moments of excitement.
