Burna Boy Reflects on Deep Jamaican Roots and Why He Once Identified More with the Caribbean Than Nigeria

Afrobeats superstar and Grammy award-winning singer Burna Boy has opened up about his strong connection to Jamaican heritage, revealing that at one point in his life, he felt more Jamaican than Nigerian. In a candid interview with Capital Xtra in London, Burna Boy shared personal insights into how growing up in the UK, particularly in Brixton, immersed him deeply into Caribbean culture and shaped his early identity.

According to Burna Boy, his introduction to Jamaican music came at a young age through his father, who was an avid fan of reggae and dancehall. He recalled hearing legendary Jamaican artists like Super Cat playing at home, which left a lasting impression on him. This early exposure planted the seed of appreciation for Caribbean music and culture, which would later become a significant part of his life.

“Jamaica has always been a part of me,” Burna Boy said. “From my dad playing Super Cat and other Jamaican artists when I was a kid, to me ending up in Brixton — it all influenced me heavily. At that time, most Nigerians in the UK were living in places like Peckham or focused on school, but I ended up in Brixton.”

He described how living in Brixton placed him in the heart of a Caribbean-dominated environment. As a result, he found himself naturally adopting many elements of Jamaican lifestyle, language, and culture. “I wasn’t really surrounded by Nigerians,” he said. “Everyone around me was either Jamaican or from the Caribbean. Even the African friends I had weren’t Nigerians — they were Gambians, Ugandans, and Congolese.”

Because of this environment, Burna Boy admitted that he began to identify more with the Jamaican community than his Nigerian roots during that phase of his life. “So, I considered myself more Jamaican at the time. Simply because that’s who I was around every day. The vibe, the music, the culture — it was all Jamaican. In my crew, there were only two other Nigerians,” he explained.

Despite this strong cultural immersion, Burna Boy noted that his sense of identity would shift depending on where he was. “When I go back home to Nigeria, I’m really Nigerian. But when I was here [in the UK], I was Jamaican. That’s just how it felt at the time.”

His comments give a rare glimpse into the complexities of identity for many Africans in the diaspora. Burna Boy’s experience reflects how cultural surroundings can significantly influence one’s self-perception, especially during formative years. It also highlights the blending of African and Caribbean identities in multicultural settings like London, where music and lifestyle often transcend borders.

Over the years, Burna Boy has become known for blending Afrobeat sounds with global influences, including reggae and dancehall, a testament to his diverse cultural background. His music has often celebrated African heritage while also nodding to Caribbean rhythms — a mix that resonates with his fans worldwide.

This revelation not only adds depth to Burna Boy’s personal story but also shows the impact of the Caribbean diaspora in shaping global Black identities, especially for young Africans growing up abroad. It’s a reminder that identity is often fluid, influenced by both heritage and environment, and Burna Boy’s journey is a powerful reflection of that balance.