Burna Boy Says Nigerian Musical Success Is Overrated Urges Artists to Think Global
Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy has shared his candid thoughts on the music industry in Nigeria, saying that musical success in the country should not be over-celebrated. In a post shared on his Instagram Story, the Grammy-winning artist urged fellow musicians to aim for international success, pointing out the major difference in financial rewards from streaming.
Burna Boy stressed that a million streams in Nigeria only fetch about $300 to €400, which is significantly lower than the $3,000 to €4,000 earned from the same number of streams in the US, UK, or Europe. This, according to him, is why Nigerian artists should not get too comfortable with local achievements.
He wrote, “Dear artist, don’t let Twitter polls and ‘Naija social media fans’ deceive you. They won’t fill up any stadium for you in any part of the world.”
He continued: “1,000,000 Nigerian streams = $300/€400. 1,000,000 UK streams = $3000/€4000. 1,000,000 US streams = $3000/€4000. 1,000,000 Euro streams = $3000/€4000. Your song being number 1 on any platform in Nigeria is not something to celebrate. Aim higher or do other business on the side. I type with love.”
The message quickly stirred reactions on social media, with fans and critics sharing mixed opinions. While some agreed that Nigerian musicians should think globally, others felt Burna Boy’s words came off as dismissive of local success.
Q: Why does Burna Boy say success in Nigeria is not worth celebrating?
A: He believes the financial return from streaming in Nigeria is too low compared to Western countries. For him, artists should focus on breaking into global markets where their music earns more and reaches wider audiences.
Burna Boy’s rise to international fame has been marked by sold-out shows in major cities, a Grammy win, and collaborations with top international artists. His words reflect the reality of revenue disparities in the global music streaming business and may serve as a wake-up call for up-and-coming Nigerian acts.
While many appreciate the recognition and pride that comes with local success, Burna Boy wants his peers to think bigger—because in his view, going global is not just better for status, it’s also better for the bank account.
