Confidence met reverence when the Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy, declared: “Fela Kuti is the only one greater than me.”
The statement came during a live Twitch session with U.S. streamer PlaqueBoyMax, where Burna paused while vibing to Fela’s classic “Coffin for Head of State.” Looking straight into the camera, he proclaimed, “He is King! He is the only one greater than me.”
It was a bold salute — and a subtle power move.
Beyond Praise: A Statement of Position
For Burna Boy, the comment wasn’t just admiration; it was a reframing of Nigerian music hierarchy. He’s long been lumped into the “Big Three” debate with Wizkid and Davido — a conversation he now seems to have outgrown.
“He’s the only one greater than me,” Burna said, effectively placing himself outside peer competition and aligning his legacy with Fela’s revolutionary spirit.
Burna backed his confidence with credentials: from Grammy wins to sold-out arenas across Europe and America, he’s built a global movement rooted in Afro-fusion — a sound Fela himself might have called evolution, not imitation.
Legacy Over Limelight
Burna’s statement wasn’t empty bravado. It echoed a long-term vision — one that prioritises legacy over fame. In his mind, he isn’t just another star; he’s Fela’s spiritual successor, the bridge between Afrobeat’s defiant roots and its global domination.
By invoking Fela, Burna is claiming lineage, not rivalry. While others chase numbers and headlines, he’s chasing immortality — the kind written into history books, not just playlists.
The Internet Reacts
As expected, his comments sparked instant reaction.
Some fans praised his confidence, calling him the rightful heir to Fela’s throne.
“He’s absolutely correct,” one fan posted.
Others saw arrogance instead of homage. “Any king who keeps telling people he’s king isn’t a real king,” another quipped.
Still, many culture critics agree that Burna’s declaration reframes the conversation — from competition among Nigeria’s biggest stars to the question of who’s truly carrying the torch of Afrobeat into the future.
More Than a Moment
For Burna Boy, this isn’t about clout — it’s about claiming continuity. Fela Kuti built a movement that mixed rebellion, rhythm, and revolution. Burna, in his own way, is doing the same on global stages.
His message is clear: he’s not just part of the new generation; he’s part of a lineage.
And if history remembers Fela as the founder of Afrobeat, Burna wants to be remembered as the one who carried it into the world.
Final Word:
With one sentence, Burna Boy shifted the focus from rivalry to reverence. By declaring Fela Kuti “the only one greater,” he positioned himself as Afrobeat’s modern king — not competing with the “Big Three,” but rewriting the hierarchy entirely.
He’s not asking for the crown — he believes he inherited it.
