Burna Boy. The African Giant. Grammy winner. Global music sensation. But in the age of social media, it turns out that building a brand isn’t just about killer beats and headline tours—it’s about perception, pride, and how you treat your fans.
Recent clips of Burna Boy have been trending online, and not always for his music. Fans have seen moments like:
- A “sleeping” fan being escorted from a show.
- Old footage resurfacing of him refunding a ticket and asking a fan to leave.
- Rants on social media calling out “ungrateful” fans.
- Subtle spats with other industry players.
On their own, these incidents might seem minor. But taken together, they tell a bigger story—a narrative about pride, perception, and the fragility of even the strongest brands.
According to Omojola Seun-Ojerinde, senior communications and branding expert, Burna Boy’s experiences provide a cautionary tale for artists, CEOs, politicians, or anyone with a public-facing brand. “Individually, each moment is explainable,” she says. “But collectively, they create a brand narrative that cannot be ignored.”
Here’s the branding blueprint, according to the lessons in Burna Boy’s journey:
1. Talent Opens the Door, Connection Keeps You Inside
You can have the hits, the awards, the packed stadiums—but if fans feel alienated or undervalued, the emotional foundation of your brand starts to crack. “The danger isn’t the moment. The danger is the pattern,” Seun-Ojerinde warns. Fans remember how you make them feel, long after the music stops.
2. The Internet Remembers Everything
Remember that old ticket refund video? It’s proof that the internet never forgets. One negative moment can snowball into a pattern. A pattern becomes a narrative. A narrative becomes a reputation. And let’s be honest—reputations are not cheap to fix.
3. Pride Can Quietly Erode Loyalty
When an artist—or any public figure—projects an “I don’t need you” attitude, engagement dips, goodwill wanes, and loyalty evaporates. This slow burn has been observed in the trajectories of Kanye West, Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, and even Nigeria’s own Portable. A downfall rarely comes overnight; it creeps in quietly, long before anyone notices.
4. Fans Are Stakeholders, Not Inconveniences
Whether you’re on stage or in the boardroom, your audience is the lifeblood of your brand. Treat them well, consistently, and your brand thrives. Treat them poorly—or signal that only “select” supporters matter—and even the strongest brand can become brittle.
Seun-Ojerinde offers a final, sobering thought: “I don’t believe Burna Boy is falling. But I do believe his brand is becoming brittle—strong on the surface, fragile underneath. Not because of one act, but because of many. Not because of hate, but because of perception.”
The takeaway? In branding, perception isn’t just important—it is everything. One tweet, one altercation, one moment of pride can ripple far beyond what you imagine. For Burna Boy, and for anyone navigating the public eye, the lesson is clear: talent can get you noticed, but humility, respect, and consistency will determine how long you stay loved.
