How I Came About My Stage Name, Burna Boy

GRAMMY-WINNING musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has recounted how growing up, he spent hours drawing superheroes, such as Spiderman and Superman, and created his own characters.
He said that creative process led him to develop the name, Burna Boy, which he wanted to use as a character in a comic book.
According to him: “I used to draw superheroes when I was younger. I used to do the comic drawing of them. That’s how I got the name, Burna Boy, ’cause I wanted to be a character in the comic book.”
Burna Boy dismissed claims that Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, inspired his music.
In a recent conversation with tennis legend, Roger Federer, Burna Boy said Fela’s records were part of his childhood, but didn’t play a defining role in shaping his artistry.
Burna Boy revealed that his first album was an R&B record by Joe, received as a 10th birthday gift, and that his maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, who was Fela’s first manager, introduced him to Fela’s music.
He named other influential albums from his childhood as Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Tupac’s Makaveli.
When Federer asked which record had the biggest impact on him, Burna Boy replied: “Honestly, none,” but later added: “Fela was a big influence on me.”
This assertion appears contradictory, having sampled Fela’s music in several hits, including Ye, My Money, My Baby and Gbona.