Burna Boy: A Visual Chronicle of Legacy and Triumph
A powerful artistic narrative of Burna Boy's life, music, and cultural influence
Meet Burna Boy
Burna Boy is a globally recognized Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Often called the "African Giant," his life and music career have significantly impacted the global music scene. He blends Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, and pop into his signature "Afro-fusion" and has won many awards.
A visual legacy
This artwork by Etienne Benedict (Tben), created for 70 Yearsof Music in Nigeria, visually narrates Burna Boy's journey, music, and cultural impact in one powerful frame.
Believe (2024) by Etienne Benedict AkpanPopcentral
The red cap, Odogwu, the great one
Burna Boy wears the Igbo red cap, a symbol of royalty, influence, and success. His self accaliamed title “Odogwu” means a powerful leader. The coral beads reinforce his deep ties to African heritage, positioning him as a global king of Afro-fusion.
A young Burna, reflection and growth
A cereal box featuring a young Burna Boy is a clever nod to his journey from childhood to global stardom. His music often reflects on his past, and this image serves as a reminder of his evolution and how far he has come.
Believe (2024) by Etienne Benedict AkpanPopcentral
"Chop breakfast” love, pain and reality
The collection of tea brands and breakfast items is not random, it references his hit song "Last Last", where he sings “Everybody go chop breakfast”. This Nigerian slang means heartbreak is inevitable, a universal truth Burna explores through his music and personal experiences.
The Gramophone, Grammy Glory
The Grammy Award symbol celebrates Burna’s global success. The shock emoji represents the world’s surprise at his win and his own journey from being an underrated artist to a Grammy-winning Afrobeat icon.
Flags of love and identity
The Nigerian flag ties him to his roots, while the second flag (Jamaican) references his ex-girlfriend’s country. This symbolizes both his personal relationships and his international influence in music.
Burna Boy and the story of Nigerian music
This artwork is more than a portrait, it’s a visual diary of Burna Boy’s legacy. As part of 70 Years of Music in Nigeria, it cements his place in the evolution of Afrobeats, linking his story to the broader history of Nigerian music.
Etienne Benedict’s Masterpiece
This 4.5x4ft mixed media piece by Etienne Benedict (Tben) was created in Lagos, Nigeria, 2024, for the 70 Years of Music in Nigeria artist residency by Popcentral. A masterpiece of storytelling, symbolism, and Nigerian music history.
A movement beyond music
Burna Boy is more than an artist, he is a cultural force shaping the global perception of African music. This artwork, like his music, is a testament to Afrobeats’ power in storytelling, identity, and legacy, bridging generations from 1954 to 2024 and beyond.
A symbol of strength and dominance
The gorilla has become a powerful metaphor for Burna Boy, a symbol of his strength, resilience, and dominance in the music industry. Like the gorilla, he stands unshaken, commanding respect as one of the biggest forces in Afrobeats today
Believe (2024) by Etienne Benedict AkpanPopcentral
Burna Boy
7 albums, 100+ songs, 1 Grammy, 4 BET,3 MOBO, multiple BRIT & Billboard nods. Sold out London Stadium (80K), MSG (20K), Paris La Défense (40K). 5B+ Spotify streams, billions of YouTube views. A true global Afrobeats giant.
Popcentral is Documenting Nigeria’s Music Legacy
This piece is part of Popcentral’s 70 Yearsof Music in Nigeria exhibition, dedicated to archiving, celebrating, and reinterpreting Nigerian music history.
It was displayed at the Popcentral Gallery in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, connecting generations through art, music, & storytelling
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