You’re not qualified to speak my name — Burna Boy shuts down critics over Burkina Faso concert snub

Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has never been one to hold back, and he proved it again after news broke that Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré reportedly turned down his offer to host a free concert in the country.

The Nigerian artist took to social media to express his frustration with the negative comments he received following the announcement of his generous gesture. In a fiery response, Burna Boy called out critics and trolls who he says don’t deserve to even mention his name.

“I said I wanted to do a free show in Burkina Faso and I got a lot of positivity but at the same time, surprisingly some morons said a lot of ‘unbelievably negative shit’ that had me in shock,” he wrote.

He didn’t stop there. Addressing the trolls directly, Burna Boy declared, “I’m sorry but YOU are not qualified to even speak my name if your only contribution to this world is typing dumb comments or talking into your c–ap ringlight and phone.”

The Grammy-winning artist went on to challenge those criticizing him, questioning their connection to Africa and their right to judge his efforts: “How can you tell me what to do for any part of my home, ‘AFRICA,’ when nobody in the history of your family tree has done anything significant or even at all for any part of Africa or even planet earth as a whole?”

Burna Boy made it clear that his work and integrity speak for themselves.

“I have nothing to gain from anybody and I don’t owe anyone anything but that never stopped me from doing the great work I do. My integrity is unquestionable. Therefore, burn in hell if you said anything negative.”

The backlash followed reports that President Ibrahim Traoré declined the offer for a free concert, citing that Burkina Faso needed no distraction amid current national challenges.