Nigerian television host Lerin Nicodemus has sparked a heated discussion in the music industry by dubbing Grammy-winning musician Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu as “the least inspiring artist.”
Nicodemus made this provocative statement in response to recent remarks by Burna Boy, where he suggested that Afrobeats music lacks “substance.”
The source of the media personality’s criticism lies in Burna Boy’s perceived shift in perspective towards Afrobeats.
She accused Burna Boy of riding the tide of global fame and profiting from Afrobeats‘ popularity on the world stage, only to now criticize the genre for its supposed shallowness.
Lerin Nicodemus further contended that Burna Boy’s actions made him seem hypocritical, as he initially established his image based on Pan-African activism inspired by the iconic Fela Kuti.
In her declaration, Nicodemus proceeded to depict Burna Boy as a “phony” for allegedly not embodying the Pan-African principles he frequently referenced in his music and public image.
She highlighted that despite positioning himself as a proponent of societal transformation, Burna Boy has remained silent or ridiculed societal concerns during periods of political and social turmoil in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
The TV presenter’s criticism didn’t end with Burna Boy’s activism. Nicodemus drew a comparison, casting him in a less favorable light compared to his contemporaries, Wizkid and Davido, who she believes actively champion Afrobeats and provide support to emerging artists.
She accused Burna Boy of diminishing others whenever the chance presents itself, a sharp contrast to the supportive stance taken by Wizkid and Davido.
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