Burna Boy Criticized by DJ Tunez After Lagos Assault Allegations

DJ Tunez, the personal disc jockey for Nigerian star Wizkid, has reignited his feud with fellow Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy by publicly criticizing the Lagos-based singer’s music during a recent performance in London. This incident occurs amid an investigation by the DJs Association of Nigeria (DJAN) into a reported assault on Tunez by members of Burna Boy’s entourage at the musician’s Obi House residence earlier this month. The tension between the two artists first emerged in April when Burna Boy’s team allegedly confronted DJ Tunez at his Lagos home, prompting DJAN to suspend the singer pending a formal inquiry.

While the investigation is ongoing, Tunez seized the opportunity to express his discontent during a performance at a London nightclub on Saturday. He played the opening bars of Burna Boy’s hit single “Last Last” but muted the vocal track. Addressing the crowd, he referred to the song as “rubbish” and claimed that Burna Boy’s music was “not good enough for his audience.” This moment was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media, eliciting mixed reactions from attendees and online viewers. Supporters of DJ Tunez applauded his boldness, while many Afrobeats fans criticized his remarks as an unnecessary escalation of an already tense dispute.

Commentators on platforms like Twitter and Instagram cautioned that such public insults could provoke a retaliatory response from Burna Boy, who has previously defended his reputation against criticism. Industry insiders have noted that public spats of this nature are uncommon in the Afrobeats scene, which is typically characterized by collaborative projects among artists. A Lagos-based music promoter, who requested anonymity, remarked, “The genre benefits from unity among its leading artists. When disagreements spill into the public arena, it risks alienating fans and undermining the collective momentum the music has gained worldwide.”

DJAN has not yet released a formal statement regarding the incident in London, as its focus remains on the alleged assault at Obi House. The association confirmed that its investigation is still in its early stages and that any disciplinary action will depend on the findings. Both Burna Boy and DJ Tunez have refrained from making personal comments since the video went viral. However, Burna Boy’s management issued a brief note indicating that the artist is “focused on his music and upcoming projects” without addressing the allegations.

This controversy highlights the growing pains of a genre that has recently gained global recognition, attracting major label interest and achieving chart success in Europe and North America. As Afrobeats continues to expand its influence, the management of internal conflicts will likely affect how the industry is perceived on the world stage. The next steps will depend on the outcome of DJAN’s investigation and whether either party seeks reconciliation. For now, the feud remains a topic of discussion among fans and industry observers, underscoring the delicate balance between artistic rivalry and collective progress within Africa’s most exportable musical movement.