Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has responded to the controversy that surrounded his performance at the #GreaterLagosCountdown2025 event, following criticism for abruptly leaving the stage after a fan stormed it.
Burna Boy Explains His Exit
Taking to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Burna Boy explained the circumstances behind his unexpected exit. He clarified that the show was meant to be a free performance where he was initially scheduled to perform for just 10 minutes, but ended up doing nearly an hour. Despite this, he expressed frustration over a fan’s action of jumping on stage uninvited.
“I was supposed to do 10 minutes and did almost an hour,” Burna Boy wrote. “Everybody knows my rule about getting on stage and startling me when I’m performing. I had an amazing time with Lagos State last night.”
Setting Boundaries and Personal Struggles
Burna Boy took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of respecting his boundaries, referencing his personal struggles with PTSD. “Don’t jump on my stage like that! I got PTSD. I love you all. Happy New Year,” he added, urging fans to be mindful during his performances.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The incident, which occurred during the highly anticipated event in Lagos, left many attendees stunned when Burna Boy paused and subsequently left the stage after a fan was removed by security for jumping on stage. The reaction on social media has been mixed, with some fans criticizing Burna Boy for what they perceived as arrogance and rudeness, while others defended his actions, pointing out that he had repeatedly warned against such behavior.
One critic, tweeting under the handle #ibrahimmalcolm, wrote, “Just pride and arrogance, somewhat disrespect to the very audience he’s ‘performing’ for.” Another user, #MeziaAbia, added, “If not pride, what is it? Someone paid you for a show, and you left halfway because a fan jumped on the stage to touch you.”
However, there were also fans who supported Burna Boy, citing his repeated requests for fans to respect his stage boundaries. “Why people no dey hear word? En don talk am severally, make dem no try dey jump on stage when en dey there,” wrote #LoganSaman50828.
Conclusion
While the incident sparked debate, Burna Boy’s stance on respecting personal space during performances remains clear. His explanation offers insight into his actions, reminding fans of the importance of boundaries and understanding in live performances.
