Burna Boy Reveals Early Foray into Music at Age 13

Grammy Award-winning Afrobeats artist Damini Ogulu, known globally as Burna Boy, has shared details about his early musical beginnings, revealing he recorded his first song at the age of 13. The revelation came during a recent interview with Ebro Darden on Apple Music, offering a glimpse into the formative years of one of Africa's biggest musical exports.

Humble Beginnings: Radio, Tape Recorder, and Video Game Soundtracks

Burna Boy, now 34, recounted a resourceful approach to music production in his youth. Lacking sophisticated equipment, he relied on a radio, a tape recorder, and the soundtracks of popular video games to create his first recording. He specifically cited NBA Street Volume II and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as sources for the beats he used.

"The First song I ever recorded was by myself," Burna Boy stated. "I had a tape, a radio, and I had a tape recorder...and I would use the beat from video games. So I used one from NBA Street, Volume II, I think, one from Grand Theft Auto, San Andreas...the first song I recorded was with that, playing that beat and then recording."

Contextualizing Burna Boy's Trajectory

Burna Boy's story resonates with many aspiring artists in Nigeria and across Africa, where access to professional recording studios and equipment can be limited. His resourcefulness highlights the creativity and determination that often characterize the early careers of successful musicians. This DIY approach is not uncommon in the history of many genres, from hip-hop's early days of sampling to punk rock's embrace of lo-fi aesthetics.

Expert Perspective: The Significance of Early Musical Experiences

According to Dr. Nkechi Okoro, a musicologist specializing in contemporary African music at the University of Lagos, "Burna Boy's experience underscores the importance of early exposure and access, however limited, to musical tools and creative outlets. It demonstrates that passion and ingenuity can overcome resource constraints. His story can inspire young artists to start creating, even without access to state-of-the-art studios."

Recent Apology for Afrobeats Comments

The revelation about his early career follows Burna Boy's recent apology for previous controversial statements regarding Afrobeats. In an earlier interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, he retracted his earlier claims that the genre lacked substance. He explained that his understanding of Afrobeats at the time was limited and that he now recognizes it as an umbrella term that promotes Nigerian music on a global scale.

“At the time of making the statement, I didn't know that Afrobeats was an umbrella term used to advance Nigerian music as a collective, rather than just being a music genre," Burna Boy stated, expressing his regret for the disparaging comments.

Afrobeats: A Genre on the Global Stage

Afrobeats has experienced a surge in global popularity in recent years, with artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido leading the charge. The genre, characterized by its infectious rhythms, melodic hooks, and vibrant cultural influences, has garnered international acclaim and broken numerous records. Burna Boy's evolution from a young artist experimenting with video game soundtracks to a global ambassador for Afrobeats reflects the genre's own trajectory of growth and recognition.

Looking Ahead

Burna Boy continues to be a leading figure in the global music scene, pushing boundaries and showcasing the richness of African music to the world. His journey, from recording his first song with rudimentary equipment to headlining international festivals, serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists across the continent and beyond.