Nigerian Star Burna Boy Downplays Backlash Over Negative Comments About Black American Culture
Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy is attempting to clear up controversial statements he previously made about Black American culture.
The post Nigerian Star Burna Boy Downplays Backlash Over Negative Comments About Black American Culture appeared first on NewsOne.
Source: BRANDON TODD_@BRANNDANNART / Dreamville Festival / The Parallel Agency
Burna Boy offended Black Americans on the Internet after making controversial statements about African Americans and their ancestral roots. In a recent interview with Complex’s 360 With Speedy, he addresses his comments while promoting his latest album.
The Nigerian artist upset fans after he made a divisive claim about the disconnect between African Americans and their African roots. Now, he’s using civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Minister Louis Farrakhan to further make his point.
Burna Boy appeared on Complex’s 360 With Speedy to promote his album I Told Them…, which dropped Aug. 25. Host Speedy Morman asked about the 32-year-old artist’s recent rant, where he “uses America” for example.
The comment that had fans riled up was Burna’s response to a question popular activist Chaka Bars asked him back in March 2023.
“Why it is important for the African diaspora to come home,” Chaka asked him.
Burna Boy suggests that African Americans don’t have a base the way other cultures like Chinese Americans or Italian Americans do. The self-proclaimed African Giant searches for the socio-politically correct words to say regarding Black Americans.
“Same goes to everyone else except the African American,” he said. Before the clip ended, he implied the inability of African Americans to trace their roots could be a hindrance by asking: “How can an African American and an Italian American be on the same field?”
If you’re wondering why people are flying at Burna Boy’s neck, he’s been known for saying really weird things about Black Americans. Example:
— The Zodiac Monarch (@TheZodiacHeir) August 18, 2023
Fans were offended as they felt he left out a vital part of American history – the African slave trade.
In his recent interview with Morman, Burna dismissed the negative rebuttals.
“My mission is to bring us together,” he said. “My mission is to build a bridge that can’t be broken, a bridge that should’ve always been there. So for me, that’s not really relevant. I don’t really look at none of that because I feel like when people say that, they have their own agendas.”
Burna goes on to compare his statements to two activists.
“There’s nothing I said that Malcolm X didn’t say,” he said. “There’s nothing I said that the Honorable Louis Farrakhan didn’t say. But, obviously, it’s Burna Boy saying it and he’s from Africa. All that’s beneath me. My mission and my movements [are] too divine for stupid sh-t like that.”
Though his previous comments got under the skin of some fans, Burna was unapologetic about his views, adding they are all part of the “bridges” he is building at this point in his career.
Fans argue that Burna Boy is greatly influenced by Black culture. Shortly after making his statements in March, he released a video for his latest single “City Boys,” which samples Black artist Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex.” In the video, Burna rocks Timberlands, iced-out chains and a Wu-Tang beanie.
Burna Boy saying black people have no culture but literally only samples from black artist is funny pic.twitter.com/et36I0KTAg
—
Shay-Boogie
(@HeartBreakSeun) August 28, 2023
Burna Boy talking shit about black American culture (or lack there of) but constantly sampling our music and now rocking Timbs is just not sitting right with me….
— MICK JAMES (@MeanAssMick_) August 18, 2023
Burna boy really a leech with no talent of his own besides biting off black American culture to stay relevant he’s gonna be seeing that 1985 effect hit in 3 yrs https://t.co/eM2LY1ofgO
— ???????????? ???????????????????????????? 前進し続ける (@cerealbans) August 18, 2023
Watch the full interview below:
The post Nigerian Star Burna Boy Downplays Backlash Over Negative Comments About Black American Culture appeared first on NewsOne.