Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has unleashed a powerful rebuttal to critics via Instagram Stories, defending his recent actions and clarifying controversies around his relationship with fans. In a series of candid slides posted on November 19, 2025, the Grammy-winning artist addressed backlash over his behavior, the pressure of fame, and the ways he believes he’s been mischaracterized.
Burna Boy opened by insisting that much of the uproar stems from misunderstandings and online distortion. He explained that a joke with his band was misinterpreted, fueling narratives that he doesn’t care for his fans, a claim he vehemently rejects. He wrote, “If you hate me so much either Kill me or leave me alone. I’m fighting my own battles… I Love who loves me and respect who respects me.”
Central to his response was his unwavering commitment to his craft. Burna Boy insisted he gives everything on stage, regardless of the audience, saying, “I leave my soul on every stage… and I will gladly be cancelled if we are now in a world where you can treat me like a stripper, slap my ass and tell me to keep dancing cuz you throw $100 at me.”
He drew an analogy to other professional settings, arguing that just as a passenger who makes the pilot uncomfortable can be removed, or a student disrupting a class can be asked to leave, so too should fans respect an artist’s boundaries.
Despite his heated tone, Burna Boy offered a measured, conditional apology: “I Sincerely Apologise if I’m wrong, I’m not always right but I feel right about this. … Anyway I’m just Human so fk me.”
He also took issue with media coverage, accusing outlets of only highlighting his missteps while ignoring his positive contributions. He lamented that people who never acknowledged him before are now writing think pieces whenever he “finally fked up.”
The rant comes in the wake of other tense moments earlier in the year, notably when Burna Boy abruptly left the stage during the Greater Lagos Countdown 2025 concert after a fan breached security. He later explained that he has PTSD, saying the disruption triggered him and that he has a strict “no startling” rule during performances.
Burna’s response underscores the complexity of his relationship with fame: he’s clearly devoted to his audience, but he also expects respect and boundaries. His message is as much a declaration of self-worth as it is a challenge to how fans and media choose to view him.
