Burna Boy Reveals the Story Behind His Stage Name
Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has opened up about how his famous stage name came to life—and it all traces back to his childhood love of comic books and superheroes.
In a chat with tennis legend Roger Federer, the Grammy-winning artist explained that as a child, he would spend hours sketching superheroes and even inventing his own characters. Out of that creative world, the name Burna Boy was born.
“I used to draw superheroes when I was younger. I would do comic drawings of them. That’s how I got the name Burna Boy—because I wanted to be a character in the comic book,” he shared.
He added that his fascination with superheroes often revolved around fire powers, which made the name feel like a natural fit. What started as a childhood fantasy eventually became the identity that now defines his global music career.
Burna Boy also reflected on the influence of Fela Kuti in shaping his artistry. He revealed that his grandfather introduced him to Fela’s entire discography, and growing up with that music helped set the foundation for his own sound and message.
For Burna, the journey from drawing superheroes in his notebook to standing tall as one of Africa’s biggest music exports shows how early passions can shape a lifetime.
