THE UNTOLD TRUTH ABOUT BURNA BOY'S JOURNEY TO FAME

Burna Boy, a Nigerian artist, predicted his fame. He called himself the African Giant. He also declared he was Twice as Tall. He rapped about leveling up. "I am a legend," he proudly stated.

Now, the world listens. He won his first Grammy at the 63rd awards. On March 14, 2021, he made history. Burna Boy was the first Nigerian to win Best Global Music Album. The album, "Twice as Tall," is a master class. It showcases his vibe and hustle. This made him an international music star.

Burna Boy makes stardom look easy. He exudes confidence and a bit of arrogance. One might think awards came without effort. In less than 10 years, he became a top African artist. He has won many awards. He has performed at Coachella. He boasts collaborations with Beyonce and Ed Sheeran. Angelique Kidjo, Stormzy, and Salty Soul are also on the list.

He broke records by winning a Grammy. This was after his second nomination. Burna Boy admits to struggles behind the scenes. He said he worked harder than many Nigerian artists. He faced challenges on his way to the top. Did he lack funds? Were there record label issues? Was promoting his music difficult? Did Nigerians initially support him?

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was born July 2, 1991. He was born in Rivers State, Nigeria. But, he grew up in Lagos with his parents and three sisters. His mom is a lecturer and translator. His dad ran a welding business. His grandpa, Benson Idonije, managed Fela Kuti.

Burna Boy went to Corona Secondary School in Lagos. Later, he studied in London. He earned a degree in media tech. He also has a degree in media communication from Oxford Brookes University.

Burna Boy came from a wealthy family. But, this did not make his music career easy. In 2011, he started his career with Aristocratic Records. His first big song was "Like to Party" in 2012. It was from his debut album, "LIFE."

In 2013, he released the full album. It sold 40,000 copies quickly. It reached number seven on Billboard's reggae chart. Some hit songs were "Yawa Dey" and "Run My Race."

In 2015, Burna Boy had issues with his record label. He said they sabotaged his music. He felt they did not promote his work. He denied getting paid properly.

He got 10 million naira upfront for his first album. But he received no royalties. He left the label that year with almost nothing. Then he started Spaceship Entertainment. It inspired his second album, "On a Spaceship." It came out in November 2015.

His new album did well. His old label spread rumors. They said he was deported from the UK. They claimed he was banned for 15 years. They tried to hurt his career. Awards organizers in Nigeria ignored him. Even the Headies snubbed him again in 2015.

He promised to make music for his fans. He focused on the international audience. People often reject local talent. It was true for Burna Boy. He lacked support early on. Many saw him as underrated in Nigeria.

In 2016, he released "Redemption." The lead single, "Pree Me," was a hit. It attracted a deal with Atlantic Records. He was popular outside Nigeria. The pressure got to him. So, he hired his mother, Bose Ogulu, as his manager. She helped a lot.

Three successful albums followed. They were "Outside," "African Giant," and "Twice as Tall." This helped Burna Boy become a success. He sings, writes songs, raps, and dances. He is a top African artist.

His career is only 10 years long. But he started making beats young. He used Fruity Loops. He said he has always made music. His music is Afrobeat and Afrofusion. It mixes dancehall, reggae, rap, and R&B. He sings in Nigerian languages. He admires Fela Kuti. He says Fela paved the way for him. Tupac, Jimi Hendrix, and Mark Morrison inspire him.

Burna Boy is original and talented. His music is unique. It discusses colonialism and unity. It promotes a Pan-African message. He wants to change things. Songs like "Heaven's Gate" prove it. His album "Outside" topped Billboard's reggae chart. He sold out the O2 Academy Brixton. YouTube named him an artist on the rise in 2018.

Burna Boy's awards include a BET Award and several Nigerian Entertainment Awards. He also won Sound City MVP Awards and MTV Awards. His collaborations boosted his global presence. He worked with Beyoncé on "Ja Ara E," and Sam Smith on "Oasis." He also featured on a "Jerusalem" remix.

These successes made him one of Nigeria's richest artists. Yet, Burna Boy says he's as rich as his origins. Nigeria faces much poverty. After years of work, he earned his first Grammy nomination in 2020. It was for his album, "African Giant," a personal project.

He lost to Beninese singer, Angélique Kidjo. She dedicated the award to him. The loss exposed issues with the Grammys. They addressed this in 2021 with a new category. Burna Boy was upset about losing his first Grammy chance. He went offline for a while.

Upon his return, he began working on a new album. He aimed to create an album the Grammys couldn't ignore. "Twice as Tall" arrived despite many challenges. These included the pandemic and his mother's illness and surgery. He produced a high-quality album.

Now, the world listens. He's the first Nigerian and African artist to win Best Global Music Album. The Grammys recognized his talent. He blends styles and genres. He mixes pop, Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggae.

Reacting to his win, he spoke about his generation. It was a big win for Africans everywhere. He hopes it inspires them. He urged them to pursue their dreams, regardless of origin. "Look at me now, a Grammy winner," he exclaimed.

Fame involves struggle and hard work. With a talented artist like Burna Boy, it may seem easy.

What are your thoughts on Burna Boy's journey? Do you think his Grammy win was deserved? Does Burna Boy make success seem easy? Share your thoughts in the comments.