Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed that music played a pivotal role in steering him away from a potentially destructive path in life.
Speaking during a recent interaction with a fan on social media, Burna Boy admitted that without a career in music, he might have ended up involved in crime. He noted that at one point, several dangerous options lay before him, including violence, oil theft, and other illicit activities.
“Music was my lifeline,” he said, explaining that it gave him purpose and kept him from making choices that could have defined his life negatively.
Burna Boy’s reflection underscores the transformative power of art, showing how it not only propelled him to international stardom but also shielded him from a future that might have been marked by crime and hardship.
Today, Burna Boy stands as one of Africa’s most successful global music exports. He holds the record for the highest number of songs by an African artist to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100. His latest single, WGFT, featuring American rapper Gunna, debuted at number 96 this week, marking his seventh entry on the chart.
He also recently made history as the first African artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 with new releases for five consecutive years (2021–2025).
For Burna Boy, music is not just a profession but a force of transformation. “It saved me and gave me a meaningful life,” he emphasized—sending a powerful message to millions of fans who view him as a role model.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
