Afrobeats star Burna Boy has issued a strong piece of advice to upcoming Nigerian artists, warning them not to be swayed by social media hype and local validation.
In a post that has since gone viral, the Grammy-winning musician cautioned that Twitter polls and support from social media fans may offer temporary excitement but rarely translate into meaningful career success.
He stressed that Nigerian artists should focus on broader ambitions rather than celebrating local chart positions that do little for them financially.
He pointed out that earning from music varies significantly depending on the region. According to him, one million streams in Nigeria would only fetch about $300 to $400, whereas the same number of streams in countries like the UK, US, or across Europe could earn artists between $3,000 and $4,000 or more.
He stressed that a song topping Nigerian charts shouldn’t be considered a major achievement when it doesn’t result in substantial income or global recognition.
Burna Boy encouraged artists to either raise their standards and target international markets or consider running other businesses alongside their music careers to make ends meet.