Fela did not inspire me – Burna Boy

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has clarified that while Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s music was part of his early exposure, it wasn’t his source of inspiration.

In a recent chat with tennis icon Roger Federer, Burna Boy explained that Fela’s records were in his formative years largely because his grandfather, Benson Idonjie, who was Fela’s first manager, introduced him to the music.

However, the self-styled African Giant said his first personal album was an R&B project by Joe, which he received as a 10th birthday gift. He added that Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Tupac’s Makaveli also shaped his childhood soundtrack.

Federer then asked which of those records had the biggest impact on him. Burna Boy replier, “Honestly, none,” but added, “Fela was a big influence on me.”

Burna Boy’s claims of not being inspired by Fela came as a rude shock to many as he has sampled the Afrobeat pioneer in several of his songs, including hits like ‘Ye’, ‘My Money, My Baby’, and ‘Gbona’.

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