Nigerian Afrofusion star Burna Boy has opened up about a formative period in his life when he closely identified with Jamaican culture, crediting his upbringing and early adulthood experiences for shaping this cross-cultural connection. The Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, shared during a recent interview with London’s Capital Xtra that his immersion in Caribbean communities while living in Brixton and his father’s early musical influences led him to feel “more Jamaican” at one point.
Reflecting on his time as a student in the United Kingdom, the musician explained that Brixton’s vibrant Jamaican community profoundly impacted his sense of identity. Unlike many Nigerian immigrants in the UK, who often settled in areas like Peckham, Burna Boy found himself surrounded by Caribbean peers and friends from Gambia, Uganda, and Congo. “There were minimal Nigerians around me at that time,” he recalled. “When I go back home to Nigeria, then I’m really a Nigerian. But when I was [in Brixton], I’m Jamaican.” He attributed this duality to both his environment and childhood, noting that his father’s playlist—featuring Jamaican dancehall pioneer Super Cat—rooted him in the island’s soundscapes long before he relocated.
The artist, known for blending Afrobeat with reggae and dancehall, emphasized that Jamaica’s musical legacy remains central to his creative identity. “Jamaica has always been a part of me,” he said, underscoring how genres like reggae provided a foundation for his genre-defying work. This artistic affinity has been evident throughout his career, notably in collaborations with Jamaican artists and his 2021 album Love, Damini, which layers Afrobeat rhythms with dancehall influences.
Burna Boy’s personal ties to Jamaica also extend beyond music. From 2019 to 2021, he dated British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don, a relationship that further spotlighted his connection to the culture. His remarks align with past interviews where he described Jamaica as a symbolic “home,” reflecting the fluidity of his cultural identity.
The singer’s reflections highlight the broader narrative of diasporic identity formation, where migration, community, and art intersect. For Burna Boy, whose global success has made him a symbol of Afrobeats’ international rise, this cross-pollination of influences underscores the power of music to transcend borders—a theme resonating with audiences worldwide. As he continues to bridge African and Caribbean sounds, his story reinforces how cultural heritage and lived experience shape both personal and artistic evolution.