Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (born July 2, 1991), professionally known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is one of the leading figures in the global Afrobeats and Afro-fusion movement, blending African rhythms with reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop influences.
Burna Boy rose to fame with his 2012 breakout single “Like to Party”, but his global dominance began with his 2018 album “Outside” and the 2019 Grammy-nominated album “African Giant”. He later won a Grammy Award for “Twice as Tall” (2020), solidifying his status as an international superstar.
Early Life and Background
Burna Boy was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His mother, Bose Ogulu, later became his manager, while his grandfather, Benson Idonije, was Fela Kuti’s first band manager. This musical lineage heavily influenced his sound.
He attended Corona Secondary School in Lagos before moving to the United Kingdom for further studies. However, he returned to Nigeria to pursue music full-time.
Music Career
Early Career and “L.I.F.E” (2012–2013)
Burna Boy gained attention in 2012 with his hit single “Like to Party”, which led to his debut album, “L.I.F.E” (2013). The album featured songs like:
- “Run My Race”
- “Tonight”
- “Yawa Dey”
The album was well-received in Nigeria and marked Burna Boy as a rising Afrobeats star.
Breakthrough with “Outside” (2018)
After experimenting with different sounds, Burna Boy achieved international recognition with his third studio album, “Outside” (2018). This album included:
- “Ye” – A global anthem that became one of his signature hits.
- “Gbona”
- “Heaven’s Gate” (feat. Lily Allen)
“Ye” gained massive traction when Kanye West released his album of the same name, leading to increased searches and streams for Burna Boy’s song.
“African Giant” & Global Stardom (2019–2020)
Burna Boy’s 2019 album, “African Giant”, propelled him to global fame. The album featured collaborations with Jorja Smith, Future, YG, Zlatan, and Damian Marley, including hit tracks:
- “Anybody”
- “Dangote”
- “Gbona”
- “On the Low”
- “Killin’ Dem” (feat. Zlatan)
The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album, making Burna Boy a key figure in Africa’s music renaissance.
Grammy Win with “Twice as Tall” (2020)
Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, “Twice as Tall” (2020), executive-produced by Diddy, won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album (2021). The album included:
- “Wonderful”
- “Way Too Big”
- “Monsters You Made” (feat. Chris Martin)
- “Real Life” (feat. Stormzy)
This Grammy win cemented Burna Boy as one of Africa’s greatest musicians.
“Love, Damini” and Stadium Tours (2022–Present)
In 2022, Burna Boy released “Love, Damini”, featuring:
- “Last Last” – A viral global hit
- “For My Hand” (feat. Ed Sheeran)
- “It’s Plenty”
“Last Last” became one of the biggest Afrobeats songs ever, peaking on the Billboard Hot 100 and going platinum in multiple countries.
Discography – Albums & EPs
- L.I.F.E (2013)
- On a Spaceship (2015)
- Outside (2018)
- African Giant (2019)
- Twice as Tall (2020)
- Love, Damini (2022)
Awards & Achievements
Burna Boy has received numerous awards, including:
- Grammy Award (Best Global Music Album – 2021)
- BET Awards (Best International Act – multiple wins)
- MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA)
- MOBO Awards
- The Headies Awards
Influence & Legacy
Burna Boy has been instrumental in taking Afrobeats and Afro-fusion to global audiences. He was the first Nigerian artist to headline a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden (New York) and London Stadium. His music embodies themes of African pride, social justice, and personal resilience.
External Links
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