Burna Boy on His GOAT Singers: My GOAT singers are mostly Fuji artistes, like Saheed Osupa
When Burna Boy speaks about music, it’s never from a shallow place. The Grammy-winning Afrofusion star has always worn his influences on his sleeve, blending everything from reggae and hip hop to Fuji and Afrobeat in a way that feels effortless yet intentional.
So when he was asked about his GOAT (Greatest of All Time) singers, Burna Boy didn’t run to the obvious global icons. Instead, he went home — straight into the streets of Yoruba Fuji music. “My GOAT singers are mostly Fuji artistes, like Saheed Osupa,” he revealed.
It’s the kind of statement that makes you pause. In a world where artists often cite Western pop legends, Burna Boy’s choice is a reminder of his authenticity. Fuji, with its rich storytelling, street wisdom, and rhythmic complexity, is one of Nigeria’s deepest cultural exports. And Saheed Osupa, often hailed as a philosopher within Fuji, represents the very best of it — lyrical depth, raw vocal strength, and music that mirrors the struggles and triumphs of everyday Nigerians.
For Burna Boy, this makes sense. His own music carries that same grit and truth. You hear it in songs like Another Story and Monsters You Made, where social commentary rides on infectious beats. You feel it in his vocal delivery, often unpolished yet emotionally piercing — very much in the spirit of Fuji greats.
By naming Saheed Osupa and other Fuji singers as his GOATs, Burna Boy is not just paying homage; he’s reminding a new generation to look inward. To see value in what we have. To recognize that greatness doesn’t always wear global packaging — it can live in the voices that soundtrack our parties, our protests, our daily hustle.
