Global music icon Burna Boy, "The African giant", recently sat down with Aria Nejati in the Apple Music studio in Berlin, a city he professes to love and has referenced on his track "Big 7". Nejati set the stage by immediately acknowledging the artist’s worldwide stature, stating that Burna Boy "could quite literally be anywhere in the world right now". The conversation quickly touched upon the artist’s observable growth in Berlin, where his venue capacities have soared from 4,000 at Columbia Halle to 17,000 at Uber Arena, and now 22,000 for an open-air performance at Waldbühne. Burna Boy, while calling the expansion in a place far from his youth a "blessing," confessed that after doing this for so long, the process feels "kind of normal". He humorously noted the continuous touring often means he doesn't "even get to see the city," feeling like he goes "around the world and go nowhere at the same time".
The dedication fueling this continuous success is evident in his massive output, including his latest project, No Sign of Weakness, which marks his twelfth or thirteenth album in as many years. When Nejati inquired about his constant motivation, Burna Boy offered a simple, powerful maxim: "Somebody has to do it. Why not me?". His primary focus is ensuring he always puts "the best foot forward at all at all times". This approach underpins his musical philosophy; he believes he "always kill[s] it" when traversing different sounds and genres. Burna Boy rejects the concept of musical genres entirely, likening music to water. He argued that humans only categorize concepts like time (breaking it down into 12 hours) or music genres so that they "can just make sense of it with our little human brain".
Related article - Uphorial Radio
Related article - Uphorial Sweatshirt
The discussion moved toward the confidence that defines his career. Aria Nejati referenced the 200 Best Singers of All Time list compiled by Rolling Stone magazine, an American publication. Nejati found the inclusion of such an experimental, non-American singer "unusual". While the recognition "felt really good," Burna Boy was unfazed, stating, "I always felt I was one of the greatest singers in the world, so they weren't telling me anything new". Nejati then connected this self-belief to the track "City Boys," which opens with a J Hus quote: "Man, I always called myself an ugly yute, but I'm a sexy yute". Burna Boy confirmed that he and his peers "lived that quote," which carries significant meaning because "being African" was historically "not the coolest thing to be back in the day". He also revealed that he "actually made the song around that" quote, and J Hus knew about its use beforehand.
As a global representative, Burna Boy admitted to Nejati that the sole source of genuine pressure comes from the weight of that responsibility. He noted that when Nigerians reveal their origin, they are often immediately asked, "Do you know Burna Boy?". This level of fame means "Burna Boy can't slip up," as he must live up to that representation. Otherwise, his method for mitigating pressure is doing everything that comes "naturally to me and leave the rest for the highest".
Regarding his personal life, Nejati brought up his family’s involvement, noting a recent TikTok post showing his sister on the private jet and his mother's famous role in his career. Burna Boy described traveling with family as sometimes "really annoying," yet maintained it is "the happiest thing about this whole journey of mine" and a "prophecy coming true". Having his family (except his grandmother, who can't travel much) on the road feels like "bringing home with you".
On the topic of his signature love for jewelry—specifically mentioning a lyric about spending "a Millie on two Richard Millies" and his famous $2 million ring—Burna Boy clarified that his acquisition of pieces "just happens". He revealed a current "addiction" to buying watches from WSJ White Stone Jewelers, often seeking pieces he can "pass it on to them" when he has grandkids. When he decides to "go crazy," he commissions unique rings from jewelers who "always have something going on".
Aria Nejati reviewed Burna Boy's staggering list of collaborations—including Mick Jagger, J. Cole, Travis Scott, J Balvin, and Ed Sheeran. When asked if there was anyone left he wanted to work with, Burna Boy stressed that he has "never had anyone I actually wanted to get into the studio with". Instead, every successful partnership happens "organically" and "naturally," aligning when "the stars are alive". Finally, Nejati concluded by asking Burna Boy about booking artists for a hypothetical 100,000-person festival in Lagos. Burna Boy confirmed the concept is real, announcing, "We're working on something," which has been in development since last year: The Burna Boy Festival. Before the interview concluded, Nejati recommended two current German artists, Reezzy and Luciano, encouraging Burna Boy to "check them out.
