LAGOS: In what felt like both confession and coronation, Burna Boy paid homage to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti while boldly declaring himself the next in line to greatness.
During a Twitch livestream with popular streamer PlayboyMax, the Grammy-winning singer was captured vibing deeply to Fela’s 1997 classic, “Coffin for Head of State.
Moved by the song, Burna mouthed every lyric with near-religious focus making a statement that instantly broke the internet:
“He is King! He is the only one greater than me, he said, elevating Fela as the ultimate icon while subtly positioning himself as his rightful successor.
Shattering the Big Three Narrative
Within minutes, clips of the moment spread across social media, sparking another round of debate over Nigeria’s Big Three Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. But this time, Burna wasn’t just staking his claim; he was dismissing the hierarchy entirely.
Known for his unshakable confidence, Burna’s record speaks for itself. He’s performed to sold-out stadiums across Europe and America, headlined Glastonbury, and became the first African artist to fill London Stadium achievements that few can match.
Beyond Ego: A Tribute to Fela
While many perceived his comment as another boastful moment, Burna’s tone during the stream carried a rare sense of humility. Fela Kuti, to him, isn’t just a musical influence he’s the foundation of everything Burna stands for.
The 34-year-old’s Afro-fusion sound draws heavily from Fela’s political defiance and sonic rebellion.
His grandfather, broadcaster Benson Idonije, once managed Fela’s band members, deepening the generational link between both icons.
Mixed Fan Reactions
As expected, the internet had a field day.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) mocked: Any king that constantly reminds people he’s king isn’t a real king.
Another quipped: “Hallucination real true true.
Yet, others sided with him. He’s absolutely correct, wrote @lechova, while another fan argued, “He no lie sha.
Some even went further, suggesting Burna has already surpassed Fela a claim that further fueled the conversation.
‘Freedom Lives in Nigeria’ — Burna on Identity and Expression
The conversation with PlayboyMax later shifted to freedom and identity. Asked whether he preferred life in the U.S. or Nigeria, Burna’s answer was blunt:
“I like the freedom. The definition of freedom is in my country. I can never be fully free in America.
He explained further, referencing the plight of Black Americans: All the best n**s ends up in jail, and that’s not what I’m trying to do.
Burna Shuts Down Ghostwriting Rumours
Addressing another popular topic, Burna dismissed claims that he uses ghostwriters.
“It’s when I got to L.A that I saw people writing for people, he said. People are supposed to hear your music and have an idea of who you are.
The statement echoes his 2024 response to Davido’s signee, Logos Olori, who alleged that Burna, Davido, and Wizkid all work with songwriters. Burna fired back then saying the only writing help he ever received came from Peruzzi, who contributed to his hit On the Low.
A Declaration of Legacy
So, what does Burna’s statement Fela is the only one greater than me really mean?
To some, it’s classic Burna bravado. To others, it’s the self-awareness of an artist who recognizes his role in history.
Afrobeats has gone global, and Burna stands as one of its boldest ambassadors one who acknowledges his roots while redefining its reach.
In his worldview, there’s no longer a Big Three.
There’s Fela. There’s Burna. And then, there’s everyone else.
