Burna Boy

Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for Afro-fusion; rose with 2012 hit "Like to Party"; won Grammy for Twice as Tall (2020).

EARLY LIFE

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His mother, Bose Ogulu, worked as a language translator, and his father, Samuel Ogulu, managed a welding company. His maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, once managed Fela Kuti. Ogulu grew up in Southern Nigeria and started making his own beats using FL Studio at age 10. He attended Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State, before relocating to London, England, to further his studies. He studied media technology at the University of Sussex from 2008 to 2009, and media communications and culture at Oxford Brookes University from 2009 to 2010. He returned to Port Harcourt for a year-long internship at Rhythm 93.7 FM, and launched his music career after returning to Lagos.

CAREER

Burna Boy gained recognition in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party." His debut album, L.I.F.E., was released in 2013 and peaked at number seven on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. in 2015, he founded Spaceship Entertainment and released his second album, "On a Spaceship." In 2017, he signed with Atlantic Records. His third album, "Outside" (2018), featured "Ye," which became a major hit. His fourth album, "African Giant" (2019), won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for a Grammy. In 2020, "Twice as Tall" won Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. His sixth album, "Love, Damini" (2022), was the highest-debuting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200. In 2023, he became the first African artist to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show and to headline and sell out a stadium show in the United States (Citi Field, New York). He has won multiple BET Awards for Best International Act.

PERSONAL LIFE

Burna Boy dated British rapper Stefflon Don from 2018 to 2022. In December 2024, rumors surfaced about his relationship with American R&B singer Chloe Bailey, which were confirmed in February 2025. He was named one of GQ's Best-Dressed Men in 2025. Burna Boy's guiding philosophy is Pan-Africanism, and he has been a vocal advocate for social justice, addressing political topics and issues affecting people in Nigeria and around the world through his music and platform.