Singer Bien-Aimé Baraza has stepped in to defend Burna Boy, saying the criticism surrounding the Nigerian superstar is blown out of proportion. According to Bien, Burna’s recent challenges are less about “falling off” and more about the intense weight of representing an entire continent’s sound.
During an appearance on the Mic Cheque podcast, Bien delivered a balanced take—mixing admiration, honest critique, and a reminder that social media cannot define an artist’s journey.
Bien called Burna Boy “an oracle,” describing him as a rare artist with a deeper calling and an energy that feels almost spiritual. He compared the experience of listening to Burna to attending a Bob Marley performance and even predicted that future students may study Burna’s work like literature.
But admiration didn’t stop him from being real. Bien pointed out that some of Burna Boy’s reactions to his recent controversies weren’t ideal—at least not the way Bien himself would have handled them. He made it clear that respecting someone’s gift doesn’t mean pretending they’re flawless.
Bien also pushed back on the narrative that Burna’s success happened overnight. He reminded listeners that Burna Boy has been active since 2011, saying, “That’s how 15 years looks when you’re building.” The long grind, however, comes with a cost. Bien noted that Burna has been on the road non-stop for years, touring without real breaks.
He warned that such a pace always catches up with an artist:
“When you don’t stop, the universe makes you stop… just to catch a break.”
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