Joey Akan blames demise of ‘African Giant’ on Burna Boy’s narcissism

Burna Boy’s recent tearful announcement about letting go of his famed “African Giant” identity has drawn scathing criticism from renowned music journalist Joey Akan.

Earlier in the week, Burna Boy shocked followers by posting a mysterious message implying that the “African Giant” had passed away and that a new persona known as “Big 7” had appeared to protect what was left of his wounded heart.

Joey refuted Burna Boy’s accusations of treachery in a scathing post on X (previously Twitter), characterising the change as self-inflicted and motivated by “the madness of success.”

He maintained that Burna Boy started to distance himself from Nigerian and African culture after his international success with songs like Twice As Tall.

Burna violently attacked concertgoers, branded Nigerian culture “substance-less,” insulted Nigerian fans, and rejected local listeners when they were reprimanded, according to Joey, who remembers these experiences.

Joey Akan on Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’ exit

“African Giant” was not killed by ‘his people.’ It was suicide. Suicide induced by an abundance of success. After advocating for his people on a successful protest-esque project, Burna Boy’s subsequent ascent into global pop recognition came with a personal realisation that his bread is better buttered away from the complexity of Nigeria.

And so he began a campaign against his people and the culture that birthed him. He called the culture “substance-less,” called the country “a waste of time,” kicked fans at his concerts, and blamed his Nigerian listeners for any inconvenience he’s ever felt. “I’ll rather kill you than die for you…”

He said, to the same people who received him as a local champion, and spurred his elevation to new heights. And now, with the spectre of a new album looming, he’s restricted his listenership to “concert buyers,” backtracked that position with empty loveletters, while still accusing Nigerians of worse; “killing their idol.”

It’s akin to madness and the height of narcissism to erode your goodwill by self-inflicted cuts, while apportioning causality to your victims. You cut yourself and bled on Nigerians. And when we protested, you called us poor.

Burna Boy might have lived once as the people’s champ, but ever since the world opened up to him, he’s put his country on his chopping block, and pulled every available dagger in his arsenal. And with each delivered cut to his Africans, the African Giant has also bled himself out. Suicide. A self-killing, induced by the madness of success.”

"African Giant" was not killed by 'his people.' It was suicide. Suicide induced by an abundance of success.

After advocating for his people on a successful protest-esque project, Burna Boy's subsequent ascent into global pop recognition came with a personal realisation that his…
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) May 22, 2025

See some reactions below:

@iamFmajor:
“Fortunately for us, we don’t fvckn care bout Burna or his feelings. A proud person would go before a fall, eventually.”

@Adie_Vibelord:
“The amazing thing about all these is that, while y’all keep doing ur Bias analysis.. Burna keeps winning in real life.. ur opinions or how u intend to bend the truth regarding what he said wouldn’t affect his success..”

@onos_kana:
“Once this one see Burna or Wizzy slander, him preeq go jus rise begin type rubbish… OBO boy”

@JohnRowe0147:
“I can’t help but see the similarities with him and kemi badenoch. Just chinua Achebe’s greatest writing “Things fall apart””

@kevinkimdegreat:
“Has he seen Davido slanders?! He even follows then trolls to troll Davido and now his saying African Giant was killed by his own people
Then he was killed what are we going to say about Davido who is most trolled artist. He should stop crying like a baby”

Please follow and like us: