Why Burna Boy Deserves More Understanding Than Outrage

Burner Boy Furious with a Sleeping Fan

The noise surrounding Burna Boy’s recent concert incident has been loud and predictable. A fan was reportedly “sleeping” in the front row, Burna Boy asked that he be escorted out, and suddenly the artist became the villain of the entire story. But as I watched the reactions pour in, I couldn’t help noticing a pattern that repeats itself every time a major star is involved in  controversy: we judge the mighty by standards we would never apply to ordinary people.

Let’s start with the basics. A front-row concert seat is not a quiet place. It is the beating heart of the event, where massive speakers, flashing lights, and raw energy collide. Anyone who claims to be “sleeping” there raises immediate questions. Was it genuine exhaustion? A deliberate display of disrespect? Or an attention-seeking stunt?

We may never know. But I know this: if I were performing—talking, singing, or presenting—and the person directly in front of me pretended to sleep, I would feel insulted. It is human nature. It drains your morale. It disrupts your flow. And it communicates a message, whether intended or not.

So I understand why Burna Boy acted. He responded as a human being, not as a robot programmed to ignore provocation.

Yet once again, the reaction—not the provocation—dominated the conversation.

This is the burden of fame. When Burna Boy sought police help after being slandered by another entertainer who insinuated that Diddy’s troubles implicated him, he was condemned. The person spreading the unfounded accusation practically walked free in the court of public opinion.

The message is clear: if you are famous, you must swallow insults quietly. You must absorb disrespect gracefully. Any attempt to defend your dignity becomes evidence of arrogance.

This double standard is not unique to Nigeria. The world saw it play out at the 2022 Oscars when Will Smith reacted emotionally to a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Chris Rock’s comment—hurtful and insensitive—was quickly overshadowed by Smith’s slap. Rather than acknowledge that even celebrities can be pushed too far, society demanded that Smith should have been above all human emotion because he was a “big name.”

It is the same flawed logic applied to Burna Boy.

The truth is simple: Celebrities remain human, no matter how large their stages or how loud their applause. They get offended. They react. They protect themselves. And sometimes, they make imperfect choices—just like the rest of us.

But unlike the rest of us, every gesture they make is magnified through a global microscope.

If Burna Boy were an unknown artist, the “sleeping fan” incident would never have made headlines. But because he is a global force, everything he does attracts moral judgment, often without context.

I am not arguing that stars should never be criticized. I am arguing that criticism should be honest—and fair.

Before attacking Burna Boy, we should ask more balanced questions:
Why was the fan “asleep” in the loudest part of the hall?
Why must famous people endure deliberate disrespect silently?
And why do we gloss over provocations simply because the target happens to be a superstar?

Until we answer these questions, we will continue punishing celebrities not for wrongdoing but for being human in a world that refuses to see their humanity.

How to Become a Music Maestro

A Handbook for Intending Music Artists

Preface

Before now, the long and uncertain road to the "stage" had prevented many talented men and women from following their music dreams. A lot of money was needed to make a music album. Only the influential in the industry had money they were willing to sink into the sponsorship of music projects. You had to be discovered by these influential individuals within the industry, who would then give you a record deal.

Information Technology came and created a bypass to music dreams, making it possible for aspiring artists to evade the recording companies. Information Technology brought software that integrates a complete music "band" into a computer that one can carry in a knapsack. What's more? If you don't have a computer, there is a chance the boy next door, or a classmate, has it and knows how to operate it.

As a result, making music has become so cheap and affordable for anyone who has the talent.

With a bypass available, interests in music careers soared remarkably. Nevertheless, not all ambitious folks take the time to study the rules and techniques that are fundamental for a successful music career. In the end, dreams are broken with frustration setting in.

Late Jamaican songwriter and singer, Bob Marley, once said, "Some people know it, but they can't do it". He was referring to people who have musical talents, but who have, for one reason or the other, chosen to stay off the stage. Until an individual with musical talent gets confronted with making a critical decision on whether to engage his talent or not, he or she may not know that there could be a mountain of reasons capable of preventing one from venturing into the profession. Some of these factors include family influences, disability due to health reasons, cultural perceptions of music stars in the individual's locality, the music setting that may or may not warrant success, pride that stems from wealthy family backgrounds or towering educational qualifications, stage fright, a dislike for the odyssey that music profession involves, etc.

It is difficult for one who has lived out a successful music career to think about writing a book that teaches people how to make music. Such an effort would appear trifling to him. The second reason is that he would have taught members of his band, nevertheless! This is because, during rehearsals, a music artist teaches his band members what to play to achieve what he has conceived would be a chart-topping hit. His band includes instrumentalists and support vocalists. Often, these persons go on to become established solo artists as a result of the experience gained from working with a talented person.

Jesus once gave a parable about a rich man who gave his servants business capitals before travelling. The wise among them invested what the master had given them and generated more wealth, while the unwise dug the ground and buried what the master had given him. When the master returned, he scolded the unwise servant for his lack of productivity. I strongly feel that talent comes from God, and is meant to be used. If one were to be a saint but refused to use his God-given ability while on earth, it would be the sole reason why God would not be pleased with him. I decided to write this music guide because I felt uncomfortable, living with an idea and not using it.

The content of this book is merely a simple approach to music-making as it has been from time immemorial when early humans could make music by just the revelation that came naturally. The music principles, as presented here, are the same as those of gifted musicians who never had advanced education. People with this level of musical understanding have, nonetheless, produced some of the greatest songs ever made in the history of mankind. This is the reason why, I believe, the book will help many who have talent, but who have, for some reason, failed to realize the significance of certain facts that should make their music acceptable and successful.

Some musicians are remarkably successful, while others have modest success. If one can critically compare the works of these categories of artists, he would be able to discover the differences between them. These differences are responsible for the differences in successes, as I discovered. My study cuts across several music genres (and subgenres) in pop and revealed that the principles of making music remain the same, with the differences being the cultural influences from which the genres find their roots.

In general, the revelation that followed my study showed that successful musicians are masters of the different bits that make superior music: the ability to spontaneously identify a personal experience that can be translated into a good song, the ability to write a good song, the ability to discover a suitable melody, the mastery and creative use of instruments … 

When music-making follows these steps, the maker finds that he enjoys making good music for the sake of it. He feels fulfilled by just the fact that it provides him or her to opportunity to use his potential fully.

Some people never find the opportunity to use their potential fully. Based on my experience, this is part of the reason why some people don't find joy in life. They may not know that they are victims of this and that it is responsible for their inability to find full joy in life. The moment somebody finds satisfaction from the mere fact that he has discovered the opportunity to use his gift fully, he is undoubtedly on his way to greatness and money and fame will, no doubt, follow.

The principles discussed in this book are those that many already know, but, at the same time, many don't know them, despite having the potential. This book is aimed, primarily, at the latter group. Those who know them can still find the book interesting, as it will provide a different perspective on the subject. Some individuals love collecting books in areas of interest or in areas in which they are experts. This, I believe, is a material that can enrich their collections of music books.

Buy the ebook edition here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H4XQAQ 

Buy the paperback edition here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTDRCLL4

Yiro Abari Pede