Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has spoken out following widespread criticism over his controversial decision to remove a couple from his Denver concert for sleeping during his performance.
The incident occurred during his “No Sign of Weakness” tour at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Midway through the show, Burna Boy noticed a woman dozing in the front row beside her partner. Stopping the music abruptly, he told the man: “Take her home … I am not doing another song until they go.”
Security subsequently escorted the couple out, and Burna Boy resumed his performance. The moment quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate online.
In a follow-up Instagram Live, Burna Boy defended his actions: “I tell una say make una be my fans? Una dey jonze. I dey look for fans wey get money this period. This period na very very treacherous period.”
He later clarified that the “fans wey get money” remark was intended as a lighthearted joke with his band, not a dig at his audience.
Burna Boy framed the ejection as a matter of respect and personal boundaries, explaining that paying for a ticket doesn’t give anyone the right to make him uncomfortable. He compared it to removing a disruptive passenger from a plane or asking a student to leave class: respect is earned, not purchased.
Acknowledging his human flaws, he offered a cautious apology: “I sincerely apologise if I’m wrong, I’m not always right … Anyway I’m just human so f**k me.”
He also revealed he has built a mental block to withstand criticism and alleged a “long-time public agenda” against him. One of his most pointed remarks came as he said: “I will gladly be cancelled if we are now in a world where you can treat me like a stripper … tell me to keep dancing ’cuz you throw $100 at me.”
The backlash attracted commentary from fellow artists, including Eminem, who weighed in: “Yo, this is not cool.” Burna Boy fired back, noting that many critics hadn’t acknowledged his achievements prior to the incident. He concluded by reiterating his personal values: “I love who loves me and respect who respects me.”
Public opinion remains sharply divided. Some fans accuse Burna Boy of arrogance and a lack of empathy, while others defend his stance, emphasizing that his concerts are highly energetic, immersive experiences that demand audience engagement.
Adding a sensitive dimension to the controversy, the woman who was removed later revealed she was grieving a personal loss, the death of her child’s father, which has sparked further debate about the appropriateness of the ejection.
As the discussion rages online, Burna Boy’s Denver concert incident underscores the delicate balance between artistic integrity, audience expectations, and personal boundaries in the age of viral social media moments.
