Just a few hours since Burna Boy released his new album, ‘I Told Them…’, the eagerly anticipated project has already delivered its first major talking point.
On one of the stand-out songs, ‘Thanks’, which features J. Cole, the Grammy Award winner bemoans what he feels is a lack of appropriate recognition and acknowledgement in his native Nigeria.
“This is the m*****f**** thanks I get, for making my people proud every chance I get. It's okay, I get. This Naija, no love. Only Jah know where it started from.” He later added, “I showed you how to really do this thing.”
Renowned Nigerian afrobeats commentator Joey Akan noted, “Now I finally understand why Burna Boy has this running disdain for Nigerians.
"According to his expression on ‘Thanks,' ft J. Cole, he feels unappreciated at home.
“Burna believes Nigerians don't give him enough plaudits for his exceptional contribution to, and representation of our culture. It can pain to work and get the money, but fail to attract the level of reverence he believes he deserves.”
Now I finally understand why Burna Boy has this running disdain for Nigerians.
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) August 25, 2023
According to his expression on "Thanks," ft J. Cole, he feels unappreciated at home.
Burna believes Nigerians don't give him enough plaudits for his exceptional contribution to, and representation…
In its album notes, Apple Music aptly noted how from the very beginning of his career, Burna Boy has always moved with the disposition of a “misunderstood and under-appreciated virtuoso”.
He’s often created the narrative of him against the world and presented himself as an underdog defying the odds.
Despite having now won numerous awards on the global stage, including a Grammy Award back in 2021, and packed out dozens of shows around Nigeria and the rest of the world, it seems he still has a chip on his shoulder.