Veteran Nigerian singer Innocent “2Baba” Idibia has described Burna Boy as the leading figure in Afrobeats today, saying the Grammy-winning artist currently stands above his peers in the global music space.
2Baba shared his views during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast, where he was asked to weigh in on ongoing debates surrounding Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats stars. While acknowledging the strengths of several artists, he placed Burna Boy at the top of the current hierarchy.
According to him, his assessment is based on observation of the global music landscape rather than personal bias or rivalry. He stressed that he enjoys songs from Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, and others, but felt Burna Boy’s current positioning sets him apart.
2Baba likened comparing musicians to comparing painters, noting that each artist brings a distinct style and creative approach. He added that music rankings are largely subjective and influenced by individual taste.
The singer was careful to clarify that his comments were not tied to personal success metrics such as wealth or private achievements. He said he does not have insight into the artists’ personal records or finances and was speaking strictly from a professional and industry-wide perspective.
From what he described as a practical understanding of the music business, 2Baba said Burna Boy presently sits at the peak, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and on the global stage. He added, however, that other Afrobeats stars are also performing exceptionally well.
Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid are widely regarded as Nigeria’s Afrobeats “big three,” a label that continues to fuel debate among fans over who truly leads the genre at any given time.
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