Nigerian singer Burna Boy has officially handed over his “African Giant” title to fellow artist Falz amid ongoing public discourse surrounding the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. This decision came after Burna Boy faced criticism for not participating in the protests, which began on August 1, 2024, and aimed to address issues of governance and accountability in the country.
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, expressed his disillusionment with activism, particularly after facing backlash during the 2020 ENDSARS protests. Specifically, he mentioned that the “fight in him died” at that time, especially when some protesters called for a boycott of his music. Moreover, in a tweet, he remarked, “The fight in me died on this day. Ogun go doggy, anybody wey call my name this time around,” referencing a past incident where protesters expressed their discontent with him. Consequently, his statement has sparked widespread reactions and further intensified the conversation around celebrity responsibility in social movements.
In response to the criticism and calls for him to engage more actively, Burna Boy declared on social media, “I don hand am over to Falz bros,” indicating that he was relinquishing his title to Falz, whose full name is Folarin Falana. This move has sparked a variety of reactions from fans and netizens, with many expressing amusement or disdain over the situation.
The announcement has, consequently, intensified discussions about celebrity responsibility in social movements. As a result, some fans are now questioning Burna Boy’s commitment to the causes he once championed through his music.
