Burna Boy Declares the ‘African Giant’ Dead: A New Chapter of Conflict, Reinvention, and Global Ambition

Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning Nigerian Afro-fusion superstar, has once again made waves in the cultural and musical landscape with a powerful and emotionally charged statement: the “African Giant” is dead—and according to him, it was his own people who killed it.

In a recent Instagram post teasing his upcoming eighth studio album, No Signs of Weakness, Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, revealed that his iconic “African Giant” persona has been laid to rest. The declaration has reignited long-standing conversations about his complicated relationship with his home country, his critics, and the identity crisis that seems to define this new era of his career.

The Rise and Fall of the African Giant

Burna Boy catapulted into global fame with his 2019 album African Giant, a bold and politically charged project that fused Afrobeat rhythms with conscious lyrics, championing Pan-Africanism and black pride. It was a cultural statement as much as it was a musical triumph. The album earned him international acclaim and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

He followed that up with Twice As Tall in 2020, a body of work that sealed his reputation as Africa’s musical ambassador to the world. That album, executive-produced by American music mogul Diddy, won him a Grammy and placed Burna Boy at the pinnacle of global Afrobeat. But beneath the glowing accolades and festival headlining tours, trouble brewed.

The Rift with Nigeria

While Burna Boy was lauded abroad, he increasingly found himself at odds with the Nigerian media, music industry insiders, and a large section of his home audience. He accused Nigerian media outlets of blacklisting him and claimed that many in the music scene conspired to hold him back early in his career. These accusations culminated in a sense of betrayal, which he now suggests has “killed” his African Giant persona.

In earlier interviews and social media posts, Burna Boy expressed frustration at what he perceived to be the lack of support from Nigerian fans. In January 2025, he stirred controversy by asserting that Nigerian social media fans were incapable of helping any artist fill up a stadium. He doubled down in another post, claiming that being number one in Nigeria holds no financial value due to low streaming revenues. These remarks, while blunt, underline a deep-seated disillusionment with his home country—a disillusionment now symbolized by the symbolic death of the "African Giant."

Enter ‘Big 7’: The Artist in Conflict

Replacing the fallen persona is "Big 7," a new artistic identity introduced during the rollout of his 2023 album I Told Them. This era reflects a more introspective Burna Boy—still brash and unapologetically confident, but now battling internal dichotomies. According to him, “Big 7” is constantly at odds with his more vulnerable “lover boy” side, suggesting a man torn between rugged resilience and emotional openness.

This shift isn't just lyrical; it’s also visual and symbolic. The aesthetics of Burna Boy’s latest releases, including the teasers for No Signs of Weakness, reflect a darker, more militant tone. His music videos and fashion have taken on bolder, sharper imagery—emphasizing strength, isolation, and resistance. It appears that Burna Boy no longer seeks validation from those he believes have betrayed him.

The Controversy Playbook

Burna Boy’s tendency to make controversial statements in the lead-up to album releases has become almost expected. Before Twice As Tall, he lambasted fellow artists and critics alike. Before *Love, Damini*, he claimed his success was inevitable and needed no co-sign from anyone. This cycle continues with No Signs of Weakness, and his comments ahead of its release suggest a strategic move: stir conversation, polarize audiences, and dominate headlines.

Now, with a high-profile collaboration with American rapper Travis Scott on the way, Burna Boy is positioning himself more than ever as a global artist—unattached to any one country, free from national expectations. For some fans, this strategy feels like a betrayal. For others, it’s an evolution.

A Global Force, Still Rooted in Africa

Despite the tensions and the rhetoric, Burna Boy’s music still bears the unmistakable influence of his Nigerian roots. His sound remains steeped in Afrobeat, Highlife, Dancehall, and Yoruba storytelling. His vocal tone, delivery, and thematic concerns continue to speak to the African experience—even when he distances himself from the continent emotionally or politically.

Whether he calls himself the African Giant, Big 7, or something else entirely, Burna Boy continues to redefine what it means to be an African artist in the global arena. He is not only one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural exports but also one of the few African artists capable of headlining Coachella, selling out Madison Square Garden, and sitting at the table with rap royalty like Drake, J. Cole, and now Travis Scott.

What Comes Next?

The death of the African Giant signals a significant turning point. No Signs of Weakness is poised to be one of Burna Boy’s most personal and thematically complex albums yet. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely: will he lean further into isolation and antagonism, or will he find a way to reconcile with the people and place that shaped him?

For now, Burna Boy stands as a man divided—between love and resentment, home and exile, vulnerability and strength. Whether the world embraces “Big 7” as they once embraced the African Giant remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: Burna Boy remains unapologetically himself—raw, real, and relentlessly relevant.