Joey Akan blames demise of ‘African Giant’ on Burna Boy’s narcissism

Renowned music journalist Joey Akan has harshly critiqued Burna Boy’s recent emotional declaration about shedding his iconic “African Giant” persona.

Burna Boy had stunned fans earlier in the week with a cryptic post suggesting that the “African Giant” had died and a new version of himself, “Big 7”, had emerged to guard what’s left of his broken heart.

In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Joey disputed Burna Boy’s betrayal claims, describing the transformation as self-inflicted and driven by “the madness of success.”

He argued that following Burna Boy’s global rise after projects like Twice As Tall, the singer began distancing himself from Nigeria and African culture.

Joey recalled incidents where Burna insulted Nigerian fans, labelled the culture “substance-less,” physically lashed out at concertgoers, and dismissed local listeners when criticised.

Joey Akan on Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’ exit

“African Giant” was not killed by ‘his people.’ It was suicide. Suicide induced by an abundance of success. After advocating for his people on a successful protest-esque project, Burna Boy’s subsequent ascent into global pop recognition came with a personal realisation that his bread is better buttered away from the complexity of Nigeria.

And so he began a campaign against his people and the culture that birthed him. He called the culture “substance-less,” called the country “a waste of time,” kicked fans at his concerts, and blamed his Nigerian listeners for any inconvenience he’s ever felt. “I’ll rather kill you than die for you…”

He said, to the same people who received him as a local champion, and spurred his elevation to new heights. And now, with the spectre of a new album looming, he’s restricted his listenership to “concert buyers,” backtracked that position with empty loveletters, while still accusing Nigerians of worse; “killing their idol.”

It’s akin to madness and the height of narcissism to erode your goodwill by self-inflicted cuts, while apportioning causality to your victims. You cut yourself and bled on Nigerians. And when we protested, you called us poor.

Burna Boy might have lived once as the people’s champ, but ever since the world opened up to him, he’s put his country on his chopping block, and pulled every available dagger in his arsenal. And with each delivered cut to his Africans, the African Giant has also bled himself out. Suicide. A self-killing, induced by the madness of success.”