“I Felt More Jamaican Than Nigerian”- Burna Boy
Afrofusion star reflects on growing up in the UK, Jamaican cultural influence, and his deep connection to the Caribbean
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has opened up about a period in his life when he felt more Jamaican than Nigerian, due to the strong cultural influence he experienced while growing up in the United Kingdom.
In a recent interview with Capital Xtra London, the Afrofusion superstar shared that during his time in Brixton, South London, a neighborhood known for its vibrant Caribbean community, he was surrounded almost entirely by Jamaicans and other Africans from outside Nigeria.
“Jamaica has always been a part of me,” Burna Boy said. “From my dad playing Super Cat and other reggae artists when I was a kid, to me ending up in Brixton, where most Nigerians in the UK were either in school or in Peckham. I ended up in Brixton.”
He added that the cultural environment shaped his identity during that period.
“I considered myself more Jamaican at the time simply for the fact that everyone around me was Jamaican or Caribbean. There were minimal Nigerians around me. Even the Africans in my circle were Gambians, Ugandans, and Congolese. Only two Nigerians were in my crew.”
The singer, who is globally known for blending Afrobeats with reggae and dancehall, has frequently expressed his love for Jamaican music and culture, citing its heavy influence on his sound and persona.
Burna Boy has even described Jamaica as “home” in past interviews, and his ties to the island were further amplified during his high-profile relationship with British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don, which lasted from 2019 to 2021.
His latest comments shed more light on the diverse cultural experiences that have shaped both his personal identity and artistic journey, reinforcing his reputation as a global artist with deep African and Caribbean roots.
