Words by The Urban Journal
With his latest Grammy win in the bag, Burna Boy’s status as one of the world’s best-loved music stars is airtight.
Burna Boy doesn’t do comparisons, and nor does he do lighthearted. Everything is from the heart and to a very high standard – and after missing out on last year’s awards, he would’ve been keen to stand twice as tall this year.
Despite the controversies surrounding the annual event – from the lack of diversity to the ‘secret committees’ – the Grammys are still a big deal. At least, for now. With all eyes fixed on the outcome of this year’s awards, Burna Boy assumed centre stage. On Sunday evening, he won the award for the Best Global Music Album for Twice as Tall, widely celebrated to be amongst his best work. Now, with a Grammy firmly in his grasp, his influence on music – and by extension, popular culture – can hardly be overstated.
This year, given that the awards were held virtually (something about a global pandemic?), he watched and celebrated his win from the comfort of his home – although, judging by his outfit, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was backstage. And the speech? Well, there were no awkward stutters, only shouts of jubilation and proclamations of “Africa’s in the house.” If confidence is one of life’s virtues, then Burna Boy is blessed in abundance.
His love for his country and Africa as whole radiates, his commitment to its cause plainly evident. His mission – in addition to getting the recognition he personally deserves – is to put Africa on the map, and if doing so means being outspoken and sometimes controversial, who cares? Not Burna Boy.
If you were looking for evidence of dreams coming true, hope becoming reality and ambitions becoming successes, Burna Boy is your man. Just one catch: there’s no compromising on hard work. Despite his huge success, there have been some losses: last year, after being pipped to win at the same awards, he missed out. But a year and a Grammy later, his appeal across Africa and the globe remains strong.
“I am an African Giant and will not be reduced”
Part of that appeal is his no-nonsense approach to getting the recognition he deserves. In 2019, after news of the Coachella lineup broke, Burna Boy wasn’t happy. His beef? His name had to be written in bigger letters: “I don’t appreciate the way my name is written so small on your bill… I am an AFRICAN GIANT and will not be reduced to whatever that tiny writing means. Fix things quick please.” To some, that might seem cocky or arrogant. To him, it’s necessary for ensuring African and Black artists are given their due respect.
Plus, when your music produces such success, you’re entitled to make a little noise – even if that means getting your name written in big, bold letters. 2019 was proclaimed the year of the ‘African Giant’: he won the Best African Act at the MTV EMA Awards, performed at Coachella as a headline act, won the Best International Act at the BET Awards and collaborated with huge global names.
Amidst all that success, losing out at the Grammys would have pained him. When you wear your heart on your sleeve – and are a global star – there’s only so much you can hide: “Sick. Totally sick,” he said, after losing out to Kidjo that year.
If feeling sick after losing out leads to albums like Twice as Tall, then every artist could do well to wish for few episodes of feeling under the weather. Twice as Tall was an unbelievable hit – you know it, we know it, and now the Grammys know it. It was produced by Diddy and Timbaland, and features Stormzy and Sauti Sol – what’s not to like?
An undeniable love for Africa, a talent for hits and an unmatched confidence in his abilities – Burna Boy is not your mate.
While you’re here, check out the artists we’ve profiled in our Discover Weekly series.