Afrobeats star, Burna Boy, has advised fellow artists not to depend on social media hype or online polls to measure their success.
In a post shared on his Instagram story, the Grammy-winning singer told artists to focus more on real-world results rather than digital support, especially from Nigerian social media users.
“Dear artists, don’t let Twitter polls and ‘Naija social media fans’ deceive you. They won’t fill up any stadium for you in any part of the world,” he wrote.
Burna Boy, who has sold out global venues like Madison Square Garden in the US and London Stadium in the UK, also compared streaming revenue from different countries to show the value of a global audience.
“1,000,000 Nigerian streams = $300/$400
1,000,000 UK streams = £3,000/£4,000
1,000,000 US streams = $3,000/$4,000
1,000,000 Euro streams = €3,000/€4,000,” he stated.
He further said that topping streaming charts in Nigeria alone should not be a major achievement.
“Your song being number 1 on any streaming platform in Nigeria is not something to celebrate. Aim higher or do other businesses on the side. I type with love. #NoSignOfWeakness,” Burna Boy added.
His message is seen by many as a reality check for artists who chase online fame without building a strong international presence.
This is not the first time Burna Boy has made bold comments about the music industry. In 2023, during an interview with Zane Lowe, he said that Afrobeats lacks substance, which stirred heavy criticism online.
He also once said “nobody paved the way” for him in the Nigerian music scene — a statement that drew backlash from older artists who felt he ignored their efforts in growing the industry.
Despite the controversies, Burna Boy continues to be one of the most successful African artists globally, and his latest advice has sparked fresh conversations about what truly defines success in music.
