Burna Boy denies using songwriters amid accusations
Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has strongly denied claims by Logos Olori, a signee of Davido, that he, along with other top Nigerian artists like Wizkid and Davido, rely on songwriters due to their hectic schedules.
Olori had suggested that these music icons often depend on external songwriters to manage their demanding lifestyles. However, Burna Boy took to his X handle to refute these allegations, clarifying the role of credited individuals in his music. He emphasized that the names listed as songwriters on his tracks are, in fact, producers, not lyricists. This practice, he explained, stems from Western music industry policies that classify producers as writers of the instrumental components of a song.
“Any name you see credited on my songs are only producers of the songs or featured artists, not writers. But for some reason, the Western world considers producers as writers of the instrumentals and they just throw their names on there as writers. Nobody fit write for Odogwu,” Burna Boy stated, firmly asserting his independence in the creative process.
This statement directly contradicts an earlier admission by Burna Boy, where he acknowledged that Peruzzi, another signee of Davido, had written a song for him. This previous admission had added fuel to the ongoing debate about the use of songwriters in the Nigerian music industry, particularly among its top artists.
The issue of using songwriters is a contentious one in the music industry, often sparking debates about authenticity and creative ownership. While some artists openly collaborate with songwriters to enhance their music, others, like Burna Boy, emphasize their personal involvement in the writing process as a point of pride and artistic integrity.
The clarification from Burna Boy has sparked further discussions among fans and industry insiders about the roles and recognition of various contributors in the music creation process. As the music industry continues to evolve, the definitions and acknowledgments of different creative roles remain crucial topics of conversation.
Burna Boy’s firm denial serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his desire to maintain a clear and honest relationship with his audience. It also highlights the complexities of crediting and recognizing contributions in an industry where collaboration is often essential to success.
As the debate continues, fans and observers will undoubtedly keep a close watch on how these dynamics unfold among Nigeria’s music elite and how artists like Burna Boy navigate the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a collaborative industry.
