Nigeria Afrobeats artiste, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has cautioned fellow Nigerian artistes against depending solely on revenue from local music streams, stating that Nigerian fans alone cannot fill a stadium anywhere in the world.

In a series of posts shared via his Instagram story, the Grammy Award-winning singer advised artistes not to be misled by “Twitter polls or Nigerian social media fans,” warning that such online popularity does not necessarily translate into global success or substantial income.

“Dear artists, don’t be fooled by Twitter polls or Nigerian social media fans. They won’t fill a stadium for you anywhere in the world,” he wrote.

In a follow-up post, Burna Boy stressed that topping charts in Nigeria should not be considered a major milestone, citing the relatively low returns from Nigerian streaming platforms compared to international markets.

“1,000,000 = $300 to $400. 1,000,000 = £3000 to £4000. 1,000,000 = $3000 to $4000. 1,000,000 = €3000 to €4000. Your song being number 1 in Nigeria is not something to celebrate. Aim higher or do other business on the side. I type with love. #NoSignOfWeakness,” he wrote. 

Burna Boy rose to prominence in 2013 following the release of ‘Like to Party’, the lead single from his debut album L.I.F.E. Since then, the Afro-fusion artiste has earned critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021 for Twice As Tall.

In April 2024, the Port Harcourt-born singer was named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He has also performed at major global venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, becoming the first Nigerian artiste to headline a concert at the iconic arena.

Known for blending Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae and pop influences, Burna Boy has worked with international acts such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, and J Balvin. His 2022 album Love, Damini debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200—the highest charting Nigerian album in U.S. history at the time.

Often described as a cultural ambassador for Africa, Burna Boy is also known for his bold views on politics, the music industry, and pan-African identity, frequently infusing his songs with strong messages about black consciousness and resilience.