Burna Boy’s journey from his state of origin to global fame, family life, and impressive net worth
Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first gained public recognition in 2012 after releasing his hit single Like to Party, which became the lead single of his debut album, L.I.F.E. His other popular songs include Tonight and Run My Race. Discover Burna Boy’s journey from his state of origin to global fame.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Burna Boy’s profile summary
- Burna Boy’s journey from his state of origin to global fame
- How old is Burna Boy?
- Where did Burna Boy grow up?
- Did Burna Boy come from a wealthy family?
- Who is Burna Boy's father?
- What tribe is Burna Boy's father from?
- Who is Burna Boy's mother?
- Burna Boy's siblings
- Educational background
- What is the story behind Burna Boy?
- What is Burna Boy's net worth?
- Who is Burna Boy's wife?
- Does Burna Boy have children?
- Does Burna Boy have a twin brother?
- What language does Burna Boy speak?
- What is Burna Boy’s height?
- Fast facts about Burna Boy
Key takeaways
- Burna Boy's music is a mixture of Afrobeats, hip hop, reggae, and R&B.
- He has won numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy in 2021.
- The musician is signed to an American record label called Atlantic Records.
- He is the founder and CEO of Spaceship Records in Nigeria.
Burna Boy’s profile summary
| Real name | Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu |
| Stage name | Burna Boy |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthdate | 2 July 1991 |
| Age | 34 years old (as of 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Residence | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 6’1’’ (185 cm) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Father | Samuel Ogulu |
| Mother | Bose Ogulu |
| Siblings | 2 |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Primary school | Montessori International School |
| High school | Corona Secondary School |
| Universities | University of Sussex, Oxford Brookes University |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, producer, businessman |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Net worth | $22 million (estimated) |
| YouTube | @BurnaBoy |
| X (Twitter) | @burnaboy |
| @burnaboygram | |
| @Officialburnaboy |
Burna Boy’s journey from his state of origin to global fame
Burna Boy’s real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu. His musical journey was influenced by his grandfather, who managed Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti.
After moving to London for studies, Damini's life took a difficult turn involving alleged gang-related activity and a jail sentence before he returned to Nigeria to focus on music, releasing his debut hit Like to Party in 2012.
How old is Burna Boy?
The Nigerian singer is 34 years old as of 2025. He was born on 2 July 1991.
Where did Burna Boy grow up?
The Afrobeat singer was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and grew up in Southern Nigeria, where he began making his own beats using FL Studio.
Source: Original
Did Burna Boy come from a wealthy family?
The Nigerian musician came from a wealthy, upper-middle-class family. Despite having a privileged background, the singer often portrays a street-oriented persona in his music and public image.
Who is Burna Boy's father?
His father, Samuel Ogulu, worked in a welding company as a manager. He is a jazz lover and an occasional singer as well. There are several images of him online celebrating 35 years of marriage with his wife.
What tribe is Burna Boy's father from?
His dad is from the Ogoni tribe, which is part of the larger Igbo people of the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, while his mum is from the Edo tribe, specifically from Otuo town in Edo State, Nigeria.
Who is Burna Boy's mother?
His mother, Bose Ogulu (nicknamed Mama Burna), worked as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce.
She is fluent in English, French, German, and Italian, and taught French for a decade at the University of Education in Port Harcourt, retiring in 2018.
Mama Burna also ran a language school called Language Bridges, where she organized cultural immersion trips for over 1800 young people.
In addition, she is the founder & CEO of Spaceship Collective, the holding company to entertainment label Spaceship Records and Spaceship Publishing, a music publishing entity.
Her father, Benson Idonije (a broadcaster and jazz enthusiast), managed Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti before she became Fela Kuti's manager.
Burna Boy's siblings
Burna Boy’s parents raised him alongside his younger sister, Jehovah-Nissi, and older sister Ronami. While Nissi is a singer, graphic artist, entrepreneur, and mechanical engineer, Ronami is a scientist and designer.
Educational background
He had his primary education at Montessori International School in Warri, Delta State, before he proceeded to Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State, for his secondary education.
Burna Boy would later relocate to the UK, where he studied Media Technology at the University of Sussex from 2008 to 2009 and pursued Media Communications and Culture at Oxford Brookes University from 2009 to 2010.
Source: UGC
What is the story behind Burna Boy?
Burna Boy started creating music at just ten years old using FruityLoops, a production software that his classmate gave him.
The singer launched his music career in 2010 and released his first record, Shobeedo, in 2011. On 12 August 2013, he released his debut studio album, L.I.F.E., under the Aristokrat record label.
With hit singles like Like to Party and Tonight, the album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart in August 2013 and was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
How did Burna Boy rise to fame?
Burna Boy rose to fame through consistent hit releases, starting with Like to Party (2012) and his album L.I.F.E (2013), before signing with Atlantic Records in 2017 and releasing Outside.
His 2019 album African Giant gained critical and commercial success, winning an Album of the Year award at AFRIMA and earning a Grammy nomination.
Burna Boy further cemented his global status with his 2020 album Twice as Tall, which won a Grammy for Best World Music Album.
His authenticity, unique blend of Afrobeats and other genres, and his decision to pursue his music independently after initial label issues also contributed to his success.
How many songs does Burna Boy have in total?
Burna Boy has released more than 40 singles. He has also released 8 studio albums, 2 mixtapes, and 2 EPs throughout his career, with a total of 427 songs listed on Genius.
His studio albums include:
- L.I.F.E (2013)
- On a Spaceship (2015)
- Outside (2018)
- African Giant (2019)
- Twice as Tall (2020)
- Love, Damini (2022)
- I Told Them... (2023)
- No Sign of Weakness (2025)
Burna Boy's songs
Some of his top hits include:
- Last Last
- Twice as Tall
- Monsters You Made
- Dangote
- Way Too Big
- On the Low
- Hallelujah
- Like To Party
- City Boys
- Soke
Source: UGC
Burna Boy's collaborations
His extensive discography encompasses a wide array of musical styles and collaborations with numerous artists, cementing his status as a global music icon.
For instance, he has collaborated with Wizkid, Ed Sheeran, Jorja Smith, Sam Smith, Justin Bieber, Stormzy, Diddy, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Black Sherif, Asake, and Joé Dwèt Filé, just to mention a few.
Here is a partial list of his notable collaborations:
- Own It with Ed Sheeran
- Be Honest and Gum Body with Jorja Smith
- My Oasis with Sam Smith
- Loved by You with Justin Bieber
- Own It with Stormzy
- Twice as Tall with Diddy
- Empty Chairs with Mick Jagger
- No Sign of Weakness with The Rolling Stones
- Ginger and B. D'OR with Wizkid
- Won Da Mo with D'banj
- Jerusalema with Master KG
- Second Sermon (Remix) with Black Sherif
- Sungba with Asake
- Location with Dave
- Enjoy Yourself (Remix) with Pop Smoke
- 4 Kampé II with Joé Dwèt Filé
Burna Boy's awards
Burna Boy has won at least 61 career awards, placing him among the most awarded artists from Africa. His awards include a Grammy for his album Twice as Tall, four BET Awards, four MOBO Awards, and five AFRIMA awards.
Burna Boy's record labels
The singer is signed to Atlantic Records (US) and Warner Music Group (international). He is also the founder and CEO of Spaceship Records, which has signed artists like LeriQ, Nissi, Telz, and Buju (now known as BNXN).
What is Burna Boy's net worth?
The Nigerian artist has an estimated net worth of $22 million, as per HotNewHipHop and Capital XTRA. Other sources, like Finance Monthly, estimate his wealth to be around $30 million to $35 million.
Burna Boy's wealth is attributed to his music career, endorsements, and investments. However, his primary income source remains his incredibly successful music career, with billions of streams generating significant royalties.
Burna Boy’s real estate properties
The singer owns multiple properties, including four houses in Lagos, two in Los Angeles, one in Jamaica, three in the UK, and two in the exclusive Banana Island area of Nigeria.
He also has significant holdings in a rare Jacob & Co. Caviar Tourbillon watch and owns a collection of luxury cars, such as a McLaren Senna and vintage Ferraris.
Source: UGC
Burna Boy’s businesses
His business investments span diverse sectors. Burna Boy is an investor in the Caribbean Venture Capital Fund (CVCF) and invested $15 million in MOON Ultra, a consumer electronics company. The singer also launched BrkFst, a marihuana brand based in Los Angeles.
Burna Boy's endorsement deals
His endorsement deals include a partnership with the Swiss sports brand On as an ambassador and a multi-million Naira partnership renewal with tech accessory company Oraimo.
Burna Boy has become a fixture in the fashion world, having been featured in major brands' campaigns, including Burberry's Christmas campaign. The singer has also held deals with brands such as Apple Music, Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Chipper Cash in the past.
Who is Burna Boy's wife?
Burna Boy does not have a wife; he was in a public relationship with British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don from 2018 to 2022, but they are no longer together.
Reports from early 2025 suggested he is dating American singer Chloe Bailey, with images and accounts of them together in Nigeria, including a public Valentine's Day outing and a wristwatch gift for Bailey from Burna Boy.
However, the relationship appeared to end around late February/early March 2025, after allegations of Burna Boy's infidelity and Bailey's unfollowing him on social media.
The Nigerian singer has also been romantically linked with Jamaican dancehall artist Jada Kingdom, Gambian actress Princess Shyngle, and a woman called Jo Pearl. There have been other rumors about his dating life, but no marriage has been confirmed.
Does Burna Boy have children?
Burna Boy does not have any children. He intends to wait until he is more settled and able to be a full-time, committed father, similar to the consistent love and support he received from his own parents.
Speaking to Billboard in July 2022, he said:
I just want to be as good a parent to my children as my parents were and still are to my sisters and me. Until I’m confident that I can be stable and settle with the mother of my kids, I can’t have kids.
The artist wants to be present for his children every day, but believes his current lifestyle as a musician does not allow for that level of commitment at this time.
Source: UGC
Does Burna Boy have a twin brother?
Burna Boy does not have a biological twin brother; the musician posted on X (Twitter) on 24 June 2017, wishing his "Twin Brother" a happy birthday, but this was a term of endearment for his actual brother, not a statement of biological relation.
What language does Burna Boy speak?
He speaks English, Yoruba, and Igbo.
What is Burna Boy’s height?
The popular Nigerian entertainer is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Fast facts about Burna Boy
- Burna Boy's mother is his career manager.
- His mother also manages his sister Nissi Ogulu's music career.
- The musician's record label is under his mum's Spaceship Collective company.
- He calls his music "Afro-fusion," a blend of various sounds and genres.
Burna Boy’s journey from his state of origin to global fame has not been smooth. It has involved a painstaking, relentless effort to release consistent music, navigate cultural challenges, and overcome criticism to become an Afrobeats icon.
Legit.ng published Crystal Blease’s biography. The American entrepreneur is best recognized on social media for her captivating content.
She makes dance videos, travel vlogs, lip-syncs, pranks, fashion and beauty tutorials, and lifestyle videos.
Source: Legit.ng
Night Mongina (Lifestyle writer) Night Mongina is an article writer with an experience of more than three years. She has been working as a writer in Legit.ng since August 2021. She won the Writer of the Year Award on Legit in 2023. Night worked with (KNA) Kenya News Agency as a freelance writer (2016-2017). She graduated with a Diploma in Health Records and Information from Kisii University in 2018. In 2023, Night finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In March 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: nightmongina@gmail.com
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo has vast experience in search engine optimization through digital content generation, research, editing, and proofreading. She joined Legit.ng in April 2022 and completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
