Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has issued an apology for his previous criticism of Afrobeats, stating that his comments were misunderstood and not meant to undermine the genre.

During a trending interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, Burna Boy clarified that his controversial remarks about Afrobeats—particularly his 2023 statement that the genre “lacked substance”—were rooted in a personal struggle to define his unique sound, which he labels “Afro-fusion.”

“I described my music as Afro-fusion because it felt like there was no space for it back home, so I had to carve my own niche,” he explained.

Burna Boy admitted that his earlier views were shaped by a limited understanding of Afrobeats' wider purpose. “I didn’t understand then why everyone wanted my music in a single box. I didn’t know we needed an umbrella term to take our music forward globally. If I had understood that, I would’ve approached it differently.”

The singer, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, acknowledged the backlash that followed his comments and said they were never meant to discredit the genre. “Why would I want to destroy what I’m building? I apologise for the confusion,” he said.

He expressed newfound appreciation for Afrobeats and its global impact. “I realise the role Afrobeats has played in putting all of us on the map. I respect that now more than ever.”

Burna Boy’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many industry stakeholders welcoming the clarification and renewed respect for a genre that continues to influence global pop culture.