Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Burna Boy, the trailblazing Nigerian artist who’s taking the world by storm with his unique blend of Afrofusion, captivating live performances, and unapologetic advocacy for social justice. With a career spanning over a decade, Burna Boy has solidified his position as one of Africa’s biggest superstars.
However, before we get into Burna boy’s complete Biography, we’ll like you to know the top 11 explosive facts about African giant artist. Which includes as following.
1. Real Name & Origins – His real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, and he was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2. Afrofusion Pioneer – Burna Boy is known for pioneering Afrofusion, a blend of Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B.
3. Grammy Winner – His 2020 album, Twice As Tall, won Best Global Music Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards, making him the first Nigerian solo artist to win in that category.
4. Major International Collaborations – He has worked with big stars like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, J Hus, Wizkid, and Justin Bieber.
5. Historic Stadium Sell-Outs – He became the first African artist to sell out stadiums in the U.K. (London Stadium), U.S. (Citi Field, New York), and France (Paris La Défense Arena).
6. Burna Boy & Fela Kuti Influence – His music is heavily inspired by Fela Kuti, and his grandfather once managed the Afrobeat legend.
7. Record-Breaking Achievements: Burna Boy became the first Nigerian artist to headline Madison Square Garden in New York City and the first African artist to have two albums earn over 1 billion streams on Spotify
8. Political & Social Activism – He often speaks on African unity, corruption, and social issues, and he was vocal during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
9. Luxury Lifestyle & Collectibles – He owns exotic cars, designer fashion, and a multimillion-dollar mansion in Lagos, reflecting his larger-than-life personality.
10. Global Festival Headliner – He has headlined major festivals like Coachella, Afro Nation, Glastonbury, and Wireless Festival, taking Afrofusion to the world stage.
11. Biggest Hits – Some of his biggest songs include “Ye,” “Last Last,” “Anybody,” “Gbona,” “On The Low,” “It’s Plenty,” and “City Boys.”
Complete Biography
Early Life and Education
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His mother, Bose Ogulu, worked as a language translator, and his father, Samuel Ogulu, managed a welding company. Burna Boy’s maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, once managed Fela Kuti.
Burna Boy attended Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State, before relocating 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.
Career
Burna Boy’s music career began in 2010. He gained recognition in 2012 after releasing “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and its parent company Warner Music Group.
His third studio album, Outside, was released in 2018. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established Burna Boy as a rising star in the music industry.
In 2019, Burna Boy released his fourth studio album, African Giant. The album was a major success, and it earned Burna Boy his first Grammy nomination.
In 2020, Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall. The album was an even bigger success than African Giant, and it earned Burna Boy his first Grammy Award.
In 2022, Burna Boy released his sixth studio album, Love, Damini. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it solidified Burna Boy’s position as one of the biggest stars in African music.
Awards and Nominations
Burna Boy has won numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. Some of his notable awards include:
– Best International Act at the BET Awards (2019, 2020, 2021)
– Best Global Music Album at the Grammy Awards (2021)
– African Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards (2020)
– Album of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards (2019)
Personal Life
Burna Boy has been in a few high-profile relationships. He dated British rapper Stefflon Don from 2018 to 2022. In December 2024, rumors surfaced about his relationship with American R&B singer Chloe Bailey after they spent time together during Lagos’ ‘Detty December’ celebrations. The rumors were confirmed on February 7, 2025, when they were spotted on a Valentine’s-themed dinner date in Lagos.
Burna Boy has also been open about his struggles with mental health and his experiences with racism and xenophobia.
Controversies
- Nightclub Shooting Incident: On June 8, 2022, Burna Boy’s armed security escorts allegedly shot and wounded two people at a nightclub in Lagos. The incident began after a woman declined Burna Boy’s invitation to join him in the VIP section. Five security guards affiliated with Burna Boy were arrested and charged with attempted murder.
- ‘Africans Unite’ Concert Cancellation: In November 2019, Burna Boy was announced as the headliner for the ‘Africans Unite’ concert in South Africa. However, his previous statements condemning alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa led to public criticism. The event organizers ultimately canceled the concert due to threats of violence and safety concerns.
- Public Dispute with AKA: Burna Boy engaged in a public dispute with South African rapper AKA on Twitter, stemming from discussions about xenophobic violence in South Africa. The dispute gained further attention when Burna Boy’s planned performance at the ‘Africans Unite’ concert reignited public pressure for him to apologize
Discography
– L.I.F.E (2013)
– On a Spaceship (2015)
– Outside (2018)
– African Giant (2019)
– Twice as Tall (2020)
– Love, Damini (2022)
Tours
– Life on the Outside Tour (2018)
– African Giant Tour (2019)
– Twice As Tall Tour (2020)
– Love, Damini Tour (2022)
