Nigerian socialite and nightlife promoter Cubana Chief Priest has addressed the ongoing drama surrounding his highly publicized feud with Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy. In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Rubbin Minds, Cubana shared his side of the story with Media personality and Host of the Reality show, Big Brother Naija, claiming that the rift between him and the Grammy-winning artist boils down to jealousy from Burna Boy towards him.
The drama kicked off when Burna Boy publicly labeled Cubana Chief Priest a “low-budget Rick Ross” — an insult that Cubana didn’t take lightly. Responding to the comment, Cubana fired back, suggesting that Burna Boy’s 2021 Grammy win was tied to his relationship with troubled rapper Diddy, a claim that added fuel to the fire. Speed Darlington was arrested by Burna Boy for making such a claim also and he just recently got released from prison after two months in custody.
Explaining the feud further, Cubana said the root of Burna Boy’s apparent animosity is his envy of Cubana’s close relationship with another major Nigerian artist, Davido. According to Cubana, Burna Boy is “jealous” of the bond he shares with Davido and wishes to reclaim him as a friend and ally. Davido and Burna Boy are not cool with each other after various incidents of beef over the years.
“I feel he is jealous because he doesn’t have anyone by his side with my kind of energy,” Cubana explained. “He wants me by his side, but I am long gone. My relationship with David is what a lot of people are not happy with.”
Despite the tension, Cubana made it clear that he and Burna Boy were once friends, even sharing business ventures and personal milestones. Earlier this year during their feud, Cubana shared a video of Burna Boy performing at Cubana’s party. However, the rise of Burna Boy’s success, particularly after signing with Atlantic Records, seemingly drove a wedge between them.
“I was on my own when he hit me hard. We used to be close friends until after Atlantic Records. Until he became bigger, and the reach was no longer there,” Cubana reflected. “I withdrew, and I kept doing my thing. I have musicians around me. That is my business. I am a show promoter.”
Cubana also took a moment to defend his loyalty to Davido, highlighting the personal and professional support he’s received from the superstar. “David opened my club in Owerri, my club in Asaba, my hotel in Owerri. He opened my house. This December, David was in Asaba for me. We are deep.”
While acknowledging the public jabs, Cubana emphasized that he won’t let anyone tarnish his hard-earned reputation or his business. “People watched me grow year by year. You’re not going to come and throw jabs at my business or personality.”
Despite the tension, Cubana expressed a willingness to reconcile with Burna Boy, but with one condition: both parties must be ready to move on from the past.
“I value his success. I am proud of him,” Cubana concluded. “Me and David have never discussed anything about you (Burna Boy) because all of us used to be friends (Cubana, Davido, and Burna Boy). I did nothing to him.”
