Global Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has clapped back at critics who opposed his plan to host a free concert in Burkina Faso, delivering an unfiltered response that has since gone viral.
The Grammy-winning artist expressed shock and disappointment over the wave of negativity he received after announcing his intention to perform for free in the West African country. Taking to Instagram via NSOW TV, Burna Boy didn’t mince words as he addressed the backlash.
“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 sh*t that had me in shock,” he wrote.
He then blasted his detractors, questioning their contributions to the continent:
“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, or even at all, for any part of Africa or even planet Earth as a whole.”
The Nigerian superstar further emphasized that he doesn’t owe anyone anything and stands by his integrity.
“I have nothing to gain from anybody, and I don’t owe anyone anything, but that never stopped me from doing the great work I do… Therefore, burn in hell if you said anything negative.”
Critics had voiced concerns that Burna Boy’s concert would serve as a distraction in a politically tense moment for Burkina Faso. The country has been under the spotlight since 2022 following a military coup led by 36-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traoré. His anti-imperialist stance has garnered a cult following among young Africans who view him as a revolutionary figure.
Despite the criticism, Burna’s desire to perform in Burkina Faso was largely met with excitement from fans in the region who saw it as a moment of solidarity and pan-African unity.
While the Burkina Faso show might no longer be on the cards, Burna Boy’s 2025 remains packed with milestones. Earlier this year, he made history as the first African artist to headline and sell out the 80,000-capacity Stade de France in Paris. He also filled the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, currently the UK’s largest indoor arena.
As anticipation builds for his upcoming 8th studio album “No Sign of Weakness,” fans are eager to see what’s next for the artist who continues to push boundaries, musically and culturally, on a global scale.
