Award-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has reflected on the influence of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti on his music, clarifying how the pioneer shaped his artistic journey.
The Afrofusion superstar, born Damini Ogulu, spoke with tennis icon Roger Federer on a recent episode of Complex’s ‘GOAT Talk’, where he was asked to list the greatest albums of all time.
Burna Boy mentioned classics like Joe’s My Name Is Joe, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, and 2Pac’s Makaveli, but he highlighted Fela Kuti’s discography as particularly significant.
When Federer asked which of Fela’s albums had inspired him the most, Burna Boy acknowledged their presence in his childhood but made a distinction between influence and direct inspiration.
“Honestly, none. I promise you but well Fela was a big influence on me,” he stated.
Burna Boy first rose to fame with the release of Like to Party, the lead single from his debut album L.I.F.E (2013). Since then, he has become one of Africa’s most successful artists, blending Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop in his chart-topping albums.
He has released multiple albums, including L.I.F.E (2013), On a Spaceship (2015), Outside (2018), African Giant (2019), Twice As Tall (2020), Love, Damini (2022), I Told Them (2023), and most recently, No Sign of Weakness (2025).
In 2021, Burna Boy won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for Twice As Tall, cementing his global success.
Fela Kuti’s music continues to influence Burna Boy, with notable samples appearing in hit songs like Ye, My Money, My Baby, and Gbona.
Despite not citing direct inspiration, the Afrobeat pioneer remains an enduring presence in Burna Boy’s sound and style.
