Burna Boy Sparks Debate as He Declares He Writes All His Songs — Calls Out ‘Outsourced Songwriting’ in Afrobeats

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has once again stirred conversation in the music industry after declaring that he writes all of his own songs, describing music as a deeply personal form of expression.

Speaking during a Thursday Twitch livestream with Plaqueboymax, the singer said he has never relied on songwriters, contrasting his approach with what he observed in Los Angeles, where, according to him, “a lot of artists outsource their creativity.”

Burna Boy also took aim at what he described as a “growing trend of outsourced songwriting” in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene, emphasizing that authenticity and emotion — not ghostwriters — are what make music timeless.

His comments quickly reignited online debates, as fans revisited past ghostwriting claims involving artists such as Ceeza Milli, Yonda, and Peruzzi, who previously alleged they contributed to Burna Boy’s hits like “On the Low,” “Dangote,” and “Pull Up.”

Though Burna Boy admitted in 2020 that Peruzzi assisted on one song, he maintained that his discography remains entirely his creation, reaffirming his pride in his artistic independence.

🎵 Opinion: Burna Boy’s Claim Is a Challenge to Afrobeats — and a Wake-Up Call

Burna Boy’s statement is more than just a boast; it’s a philosophical challenge to the current direction of Afrobeats. At a time when songwriting is often outsourced for speed and commercial gain, Burna’s insistence on personal storytelling feels like a call back to the roots of artistry — where music was born from lived experiences, not studio templates.

However, it also raises an important debate: does using a songwriter make an artist less authentic? Many global stars, from Beyoncé to Drake, collaborate with writers — and their music still connects emotionally. Collaboration doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of creativity; sometimes, it’s an expansion of it.

Yet, Burna Boy’s stance hits differently because it aligns with the raw intensity of his brand — a musician whose voice, lyrics, and energy feel unmistakably personal. His success without heavy reliance on ghostwriters reinforces the idea that Afrobeats can stay globally relevant without losing its soul.

Whether you agree with him or not, Burna Boy’s words are a wake-up call to young artists: authenticity still matters. In a world of hits made by committee, Burna’s claim reminds everyone that real music still starts from the heart — not just from a notepad handed over in a studio.