In this article, we will be exploring Burna Boy biography,a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and musician who has gained international recognition for his unique blend of Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggae music.
He was born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and grew up in a musical family.
Burna Boy’s grandfather was Fela Kuti’s manager, and his mother was a backup singer for the legendary Afrobeat musician.
These early musical influences inspired Burna Boy to start making music at a young age, and he has since become one of the most successful and respected artists in Nigeria and beyond.
Burna Boy Biography
Name: Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu
Stage Name: Burna Boy
Date of Birth : July 2, 1991
Place Of Birth : Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Genres: Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggae
Years Active: 2010 – present
Labels: Spaceship Entertainment, Atlantic Records Notable Collaborations: Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, etc.
Early Life And Education
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and musician who has made a significant impact on the global music scene.
Born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Burna Boy grew up in a family of music enthusiasts.
His grandfather, Benson Idonije, was a renowned music critic and journalist who also managed the legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, was a backup singer for Fela Kuti and later became his manager.
His Father Samuel Ogulu, managed a welding company and his mother ran a translator.
Growing up, Burna Boy was exposed to a diverse range of musical genres, including reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop. He was particularly drawn to the music of Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and DMX.
Burna Boy’s love for music was evident from an early age, and he started writing his own songs when he was just 10 years old.
Burna Boy attended Montessori International School in Port Harcourt, where he was an active member of the school’s music band.
He then proceeded to Corona Secondary School in Lagos, where he continued to pursue his passion for music. However, Burna Boy’s education was interrupted when he was expelled from school for disciplinary reasons.
Despite this setback, Burna Boy remained focused on his music career. He began performing in local clubs and bars, and his talent soon caught the attention of music industry insiders. In 2010, at the age of 19, Burna Boy moved to London to further his music career.
While in London, Burna Boy enrolled at the University of Sussex, where he studied Media Technology. However, his studies were once again interrupted when he was deported back to Nigeria for overstaying his visa.
This setback did not deter Burna Boy, and he returned to Nigeria with a renewed determination to make a name for himself in the music industry.
Burna Boy’s early life and education played a significant role in shaping his musical style and identity.
His exposure to different musical genres and his family’s rich musical heritage have contributed to his unique blend of Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggae music.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Burna Boy’s passion and dedication to his craft have helped him become one of the most successful and respected artists in Nigeria and beyond.
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Music Career
Burna Boy’s love for music started at a young age. He was exposed to various genres of music, from American hip hop to dancehall and reggae, as well as the Afrobeat music of his grandfather’s era.
Burna Boy credits his love for Fela Kuti’s music as his inspiration for creating a unique blend of sounds that have become his signature sound.
In 2010, Burna Boy, at 19 years old, went to Nigeria’s southern coast, where he had access to studio space through a mutual acquaintance, producer LeriQ.
During this period, he became interested in the music of his native country, having grown up listening to American acts such as DMX.
He explored the music his father and grandfather enjoyed, including dancehall, reggae, Afro-beat, and Fela Kuti’s music, which became the foundation of his signature sound.
In August 2013, Burna Boy released his debut studio album, L.I.F.E, produced entirely by Leriq, and featuring guest appearances from artists such as 2face Idibia, M.I, Timaya, Olamide, Reminisce, and Wizkid.
The album sold 40,000 copies on the first day of its release and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and Nigeria Entertainment Today ranked it as the 10th Best Album of 2013.
In 2014, Burna Boy left Aristokrat Records and founded his record label, Spaceship Entertainment. In November 2015, he released his second album, On a Spaceship, followed by his debut EP Redemption in September 2016.
Throughout 2017, Burna Boy released several singles, including “Rock Your Body,” “GBA,” “Streets of Africa,” “Koni Baje,” and “Sekkle Down,” featuring J Hus.
In early 2018, Burna Boy released his third album, Outside, which was mostly Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and road rap.
The album featured guest appearances from English musicians J Hus, Lily Allen, and Mabel, and was supported by six singles, including “Ye,” which was named the biggest song of 2018 on most Nigerian publications’ year-end lists.
Outside debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, won Album of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was ranked as the best Nigerian album of 2018 by Pulse Nigeria and Nigerian Entertainment Today.
In July 2019, Burna Boy released his fourth studio album, African Giant, which he began recording in 2018. The album featured six singles, including “Gbona,” “On the Low,” “Killin Dem,” “Dangote,” “Anybody,” and “Pull Up.”
The album was his most personal yet, according to Billboard magazine, and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Burna Boy has also collaborated with Los Angeles-based electronic duo DJDS on a 4-track collaborative EP titled Steel & Copper, released in March 2019.
In 2020, Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, “Twice As Tall,” which was executive produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The album featured collaborations with artists like Stormzy, Sauti Sol, and Youssou N’Dour. “Twice As Tall” was a critical and commercial success, winning the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021.
Burna Boy’s musical career beginnings are a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft. He has overcome many obstacles to become one of the most successful musicians in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
His unique style and sound continue to inspire and influence a new generation of African musicians.
Burna Boy’s music style is a unique blend of Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop. His music often features a fusion of African rhythms and melodies with Western influences, creating a sound that is both modern and authentic.
One of Burna Boy’s biggest influences is his grandfather, Benson Idonije, who was a veteran broadcaster and music critic in Nigeria.
Idonije was also Fela Kuti’s manager, and Burna Boy has often cited Fela Kuti as a major influence on his music. Fela Kuti was a pioneer of Afrobeat, a music genre that blends traditional African rhythms and melodies with jazz, funk, and other Western styles.
Burna Boy has also been influenced by other musicians such as Bob Marley, Damian Marley, and Angelique Kidjo. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, and Jorja Smith, which has helped him to incorporate different styles into his music.
Personal Life
Burna Boy is known to be quite private about his personal life, but it is known that he was in a long-term relationship with British rapper Stefflon Don.
Burna Boy comes from a family of musicians. His grandfather, Benson Idonije, was a renowned music critic and manager for Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti.
Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, was a backup singer for Fela Kuti and later became his manager. His Father Samuel Ogulu, managed a welding company and his mother ran a translator.
Burna Boy has two younger sisters, Ronami and Nissi Ogulu, both of whom are also involved in the music industry.
Ronami is a music video director and has directed several of Burna Boy’s music videos, while Nissi is a singer and songwriter who has released her own music.
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Achievements And Awards
Burna Boy has achieved remarkable success in his music career since his debut in 2011. Here are some of his major achievements and awards:
- Grammy Award: Burna Boy won his first Grammy Award in 2021 for his album “Twice as Tall” in the Best Global Music Album category.
- BET Awards: Burna Boy has won the BET Award for Best International Act twice, in 2019 and 2020.
- MOBO Awards: He has won the MOBO Award for Best International Act twice, in 2019 and 2020.
- MTV Europe Music Awards: Burna Boy won the Best African Act award at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards.
- The Headies: Burna Boy has won several Headies Awards, including Artiste of the Year in 2019, and Best Street-Hop Artiste and Viewer’s Choice Award in 2020.
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: He has won the Nigeria Entertainment Award for Artiste of the Year twice, in 2013 and 2014.
- All Africa Music Awards: Burna Boy has won several All Africa Music Awards, including Best Male Artiste in Western Africa in 2017, and African Artiste of the Year in 2019.
- Soundcity MVP Awards: He has won several Soundcity MVP Awards, including African Artiste of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and Song of the Year in 2020.
- Apple Music Awards: Burna Boy won the Apple Music Awards for African Artiste of the Year in 2019.
- Global Citizen Prize: He won the Global Citizen Prize for Music & Advocacy in 2020.
Burna Boy’s music has also been recognized by major publications and media outlets, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Billboard.
His unique blend of Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggae music has influenced a new generation of African artists and has earned him a loyal fan base around the world.
Discography
Albums:
- L.I.F.E (2013)
- On a Spaceship (2015)
- Outside (2018)
- African Giant (2019)
- Twice as Tall (2020)
Mixtapes:
- Burn Identity (2011)
- Burn Notice (2011)
- Burn Identity Reloaded (2011)
- The Return of the Og (2018)
EPs:
- Burn Notice (2011)
- Redemption (2016)
Singles:
- Freedom (2010)
- Party Tonight (2011)
- Tonight (2012)
- Like to Party (2012)
- Run My Race (2013)
- Yawa Dey (2013)
- Celebrate (2013)
- Don Gorgon (2014)
- Check and Balance (2014)
- Jealousy (2014)
- Duro Ni Be (2015)
- Rizzla (2015)
- Soke (2015)
- Sampudi (2015)
- Acting Bad (2015)
- Follow Me (2015)
- Pree Me (2016)
- Fa So LaTi Do (2016)
- Mandem Anthem (2016)
- Hallelujah (2016)
- Rock Your Body (2017)
- Chilling Chillin’ (2017)
- Stree (2018)
- Ye (2018)
- On The Low (2018)
- Gbona (2018)
- Killin Dem (2018)
- Dangote (2019)
- Anybody (2019)
- Pull Up (2019)
- Omo (2019)
- My Money, My Baby (2019)
- Money Play (2019)
- Wonderful (2020)
- Be Wonderful (2020)
- Real Life (2020)
- 23 (2020)
- Time Flies (2020)
- Monsters You Made (2020)
- Wetin Dey Sup (2020)
- Comma (2020)
- No Fit Vex (2020)
- Alarm Clock (2020)
- Way Too Big (2020)
- Level Up (2020)
- Onyeka (Baby) (2020)
- Naughty By Nature (2020)
- 20 10 20 (2020)
- Kilometre (2021)
- Question (2021)
- Enjoy Yourself (2021)
- Question (2021)
- Blak Ryno (Skilashy) (2021)
- Rotate (2021)
- Focuz (2022)
- Question (Remix) (2022)
- Burna Boy (2022)
Collaborations And Features
Burna Boy has collaborated with numerous artists and has been featured on several tracks throughout his career. Some of his notable collaborations and features include:
- “Like to Party (Remix)” by Burna Boy ft. D’banj (2012)
- “Won Da Mo” by Burna Boy ft. D’banj (2013)
- “Loyal” by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Wayne, JAY-Z and Burna Boy (2021)
- “Ja Ara E” by Beyoncé ft. Burna Boy (2019)
- “Ginger” by WizKid ft. Burna Boy (2020)
- “Secret” by Burna Boy ft. Jeremih and Serani (2019)
- “Blow” by WizKid ft. Blaq Jerzee and Burna Boy (2020)
- “Real Life” by Burna Boy ft. Stormzy (2020)
- “All My Life” by Major Lazer ft. Burna Boy (2021)
- “Play Play” by J Hus ft. Burna Boy (2019)
- “Location” by Dave ft. Burna Boy (2019)
- “Be Honest” by Jorja Smith ft. Burna Boy (2019)
- “Omo x 100” by Reminisce ft. Olamide and Burna Boy (2021)
- “Time Flies” by Drake ft. Burna Boy (2020)
- “My Oasis” by Sam Smith ft. Burna Boy (2020)
- “Hey Boy (Remix)” by Sia ft. Burna Boy (2021)
- “Killin Dem” by Zlatan ft. Burna Boy (2018)
- “Sekkle Down” by Burna Boy ft. J Hus (2017)
- “Tonight” by Larry Gaaga ft. Burna Boy, 2Baba and D’banj (2018)
- “Nobody’s Business” by Skales ft. Banky W and Burna Boy (2015)
Net worth
Burna Boy’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million as of 2021. The majority of his wealth comes from his successful music career, which has seen him release multiple chart-topping albums, sell-out concerts, and win numerous awards.
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social media Handles
Burna Boy is an active user of various social media platforms. Here are his official handles:
- Instagram: @burnaboygram
- Twitter: @burnaboy
- Facebook: @Officialburnaboy
- YouTube: Burna Boy
- Snapchat: @burnaboy
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