Veteran Nigerian musician Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba, has stated that Burna Boy is presently the top Afrobeat artiste in terms of global influence and reach. The comment was made during a recent episode of the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, contributing to the ongoing discourse about Nigeria’s most successful musical exports.
The discussion references the prevalent “Big 3” or “Top 3” narrative within the Nigerian music industry, a term commonly used to describe Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido. These three artists are recognized as the country’s most dominant acts on international platforms, frequently leading conversations about African music’s global expansion.
When asked to rank the trio, 2Baba acknowledged the strength of all three. “I have favourite songs from the three,” he said. “But I think Burna is on a different level right now. In terms of music influence and global reach, Burna is currently at the top across the world. That said, everyone is doing fantastically well.” His assessment positions Burna Boy ahead of his peers in the current global landscape, while still crediting the collective achievements of the group.
This perspective arrives amid periodic industry debates about which Nigerian artiste holds the paramount global position. Factors often considered include international streaming numbers, sold-out worldwide tours, high-profile collaborations with Western artists, and major award recognitions. By this metric, Burna Boy’s recent career trajectory provides substantial backing for 2Baba’s claim. The artiste, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, secured a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2023 for Love, Damini. The album also achieved significant commercial success, debuting on major international charts and producing several global hit singles. His consistent ability to blend Afrobeat with other genres while maintaining critical acclaim has cemented his status as a leading figure in the genre’s worldwide proliferation.
2Baba’s own legacy as a foundational figure in modern Nigerian pop music lends weight to his opinion. As a pioneer who helped bring Afrobeat to a broader audience in the early 2000s, his evaluation of the current scene is closely watched by fans and industry observers alike. His remarks highlight the fluid and competitive nature of international stardom, where leadership can shift based on recent projects and cultural moments.
The significance of such public endorsements from established veterans lies in their reflection of the industry’s evolving hierarchy. While the “Big 3” designation remains a useful shorthand for Nigeria’s primary cultural ambassadors, individual peaks of global prominence are often reassessed with each new album cycle or award season. 2Baba’s statement, therefore, not only names a current leader but also underscores the intense quality and output emanating from Nigeria’s music sector, which continues to dominate the global Afrobeat conversation. The debate is likely to persist, fueled by the continued commercial and artistic successes of all three artists central to the discussion.
