Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy has sent shockwaves through his fanbase and the music world by announcing that the iconic “African Giant” version of himself is “dead.” The 33-year-old artist, born Damini Ogulu, shared this startling revelation on his ‘No Sign of Weakness’ album promotional page, leaving fans puzzled and intrigued about what comes next in his musical journey.
The post, published on Wednesday, was cryptic and deeply personal, suggesting a profound shift in his identity and career. Burna Boy explained that the persona linked to his groundbreaking 2019 album African Giant—a title that solidified his place in global music history—had been “killed by his own people.” In a bold and metaphorical statement, he introduced a new character: BIG 7, a protector of what remains of Burna Boy’s legacy.
“The ‘African Giant’ BURNA BOY died. His own people killed him,” Burna Boy wrote, before revealing that BIG 7 emerged as a guardian of the remnants of his fractured self. “Then ‘BIG 7’ was born to protect what was left of ‘BURNA BOY’,” he continued. “BURNA BOY and BIG 7 fight each other a lot because while BIG 7 is only protecting the final and only existing piece of BURNA BOY’S BROKEN HEART, The ‘African Giant’ still haunts BURNA BOY.”
This cryptic message speaks to an internal struggle within the artist, hinting at a deep, personal evolution that fans are eager to understand. The shift in Burna Boy’s identity could signal the beginning of a new era for the artist, one that blends his past triumphs with a future that is yet to be fully revealed.
Since his rise to global prominence with his hit single “Like to Party” in 2013, Burna Boy has become a household name, releasing seven critically acclaimed albums, including L.I.F.E (2013), On a Spaceship (2015), Outside (2018), African Giant (2019), Twice As Tall (2020), Love, Damini (2022), and I Told Them (2023). His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 2021 for Twice As Tall.
Burna Boy’s announcement follows a series of hints he dropped earlier this year about rebranding himself. In February, the artist made several changes to his social media profiles, fueling speculation about a potential shift in his musical direction. Fans also got a taste of what’s to come when Burna Boy revealed that his upcoming album No Sign of Weakness will be exclusively available to fans who purchase his concert tickets.
