Fast-rising Nigerian singer, Daniel Benson, who goes by the stage name, Buju, has announced a surprise name change on Thursday night.
In a video on his Twitter handle, the Afro-Fusion Singer and Songwriter told his fans that he no longer wishes to be addressed as ‘Buju” – a coined acronym that stands for ‘Beauty Underneath Just Understood‘
According to the ‘Outside’ crooner who was previously signed to Burna Boy’s Spaceship Records, his new stage name will be ‘BNXN‘ which is pronounced ‘Benson‘.
Although the 24-year-old who was a “Rookie of the Year” nominee at The Headies 2019 didn’t state the reason for his decision, it appeared to be a huge one for the singer, as seen in the video.
WuzupNigeria suspects that the change of name could be to avoid trademark infringements and an eventual lawsuit as the name ‘Buju‘ is already trademarked to Jamaican artist, Buju Banton.
Born Mark Anthony Myrie and professionally known by his stage name Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae dancehall recording artist filed for a trademark on August 31, 2016.
WuzupNigeria conducted a trademark search via the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Electronic Search System ad discovered the following:
Myrie’s ‘Buju Banton‘ was trademarked with the Serial Number- 87156994, it was Published for Opposition on February 21, 2017, with the Registration Number –5303065 and the Registration Date; October 3, 2017.
TESS records show the owner/registrant of the name ‘Buju Banton’ as Myrie, Mark A. INDIVIDUAL JAMAICA 479 Pennsylvania Ave. Freeport NEW YORK 11520.
Similarly, WuzupNigeria discovered in the video uploaded by BNXN, formerly Buju, the Nigerian had a cryptic message which suggested that his name change might be linked to Banton.
He appeared to be reading a letter addressed to him ‘Daniel Beson‘ where the sender, name not disclosed, acknowledged the growth of his career in the music industry.
However, the sender, as seen in the letter which appeared to have been re-written on a new paper to protect the addressee, advised him to change the name.
The mystery sender, suspected to be Buju Banton, however, acknowledged BNXN as a talented singer.
It read, “Dear Daniel Benson, It’s great to see how fat you’ve come in your music career but ‘BUJU” really?
“you’re from Gbagada(as boldly displayed on his Wikipedia profile that can be accessed by anyone anywhere in the world) the last time I checked.
“You’re not a Jamo(suggesting he’s not a Jamaican). There’s only 1 Buju and it’s Banton.
“You’re good, no cap, but we need a new name.”
See a screenshot from the video below:
Regardless, BNXN’s fans will be anticipating more accolades from their favourite whose 2021 collaboration with Wizkid on the track “Mood” earned him a number one spot on UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.
BNXN has been well received by his fans who admitted that it would take time to get used to, as seen in the comment to the link below.
The singer will be expected to bounce back from the disappointment with a new single that could shoot up music charts and win awards in the future.
Watch the video below:
