Burna Boy Urges Nigerian Artists to Aim Beyond Local Hype and Seek Global Impact
Award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has delivered a powerful message to his fellow musicians, calling for a shift in mindset from chasing local popularity to pursuing global relevance and financial sustainability. In a widely circulated post, the Grammy-winning artist expressed concern over the overemphasis on social media trends and national chart rankings, urging artists to realign their priorities with long-term success in mind.
Burna Boy highlighted the harsh reality of streaming revenues across different regions, using it to illustrate the limited earning potential of local success. He pointed out that while achieving a million streams in Nigeria might generate between $300 to $400, the same streaming numbers in the United States, United Kingdom, or Europe could earn up to $3,000 to $4,000 or more. According to him, this disparity underscores the need for artists to think beyond national borders if they aim to build sustainable careers.
“Your song being number 1 on any streaming platform in Nigeria is not something to celebrate. Aim higher or do other businesses on the side,” Burna Boy wrote on Instagram. He further cautioned against relying on the fleeting validation of Twitter polls or praise from Nigerian social media users, stating, “Dear artistes, 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.”
Encouraging young talents to develop global strategies or diversify their income streams, Burna Boy’s message serves as a wake-up call to emerging and established acts alike. His candid remarks highlight the importance of global appeal, business acumen, and financial planning in an increasingly competitive and saturated music industry.