Before Burna Boy became a Grammy-winning global music icon, his story began with a tape recorder, a video game console, and a teenage dream.
In a revealing conversation with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, Burna Boy (real name Damini Ogulu) shared the raw and unfiltered origins of his career: at just 13, without a studio or producer, he made his very first song using the soundtracks from video games like NBA Street Vol. 2 and GTA: San Andreas.
“I had a tape, a radio, and a recorder,” he explained. “I would play beats off the TV and record myself straight into the tape.”
That homemade recording may seem primitive, but it ignited a path that would eventually lead to sold-out arenas and a Grammy for Twice As Tall. It was a moment of youthful invention that foreshadowed the artist’s fearless, do-it-yourself ethos.
The Beat Was a Game — Literally
Too young to access professional studios, Burna turned to what he had: video game soundtracks. The pulsing rhythms of virtual worlds became the foundation for his real-world dreams. With no digital software or mixers, he layered his vocals manually, creating songs in one take.
His passion for production had started earlier — at age 10 — when a friend introduced him to FruityLoops (now FL Studio). Even then, Burna’s ear for rhythm and melody was sharp, and his ambition sharper.
The Long Way Home
Although his love for music was evident early, Burna’s parents pushed for a more traditional path. He studied media technology in the UK at the University of Sussex and later media communications at Oxford Brookes University.
But the calling was louder than any classroom lecture. Burna returned to Nigeria, fully committed to music, and never looked back.
Rise of an African Giant
2013: L.I.F.E marked his official debut. Selling over 40,000 copies on day one, it introduced hits like “Like to Party” and “Yawa Dey.”
2018: Outside gained international traction, with “Ye” becoming a cross-continental anthem.
2019: African Giant earned a Grammy nomination and redefined African music on a global stage.
2020: Twice As Tall, co-produced by Diddy, won him his first Grammy for Best Global Music Album.
Legacy Fueled by Lineage
Music runs deep in Burna Boy’s family. His maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, was the manager of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. His mother, Bose Ogulu, a linguist and talent manager, still guides his career. That lineage anchored Burna’s artistry in both culture and confidence.
More Than Music
What Burna Boy’s origin story teaches us is simple: creativity doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. With grit, passion, and a little bit of game audio, even a 13-year-old boy from Port Harcourt can begin building a legacy.
Final Word
Today, Burna Boy is a global sensation, but his journey began in the simplest of ways. No studio. No label. Just a vision.
From that humble recording to headlining festivals and earning Grammys, Burna Boy has proven that greatness isn’t about how you start — it’s about never stopping.
He didn’t just make music — he made history. And it all started with a tape deck and a dream.
