Davido vs Burna Boy: Inside the Hidden Beef No One Talks About
Introduction
In the vibrant world of Afrobeats, Nigerian artists are not just global stars—they’re cultural icons. Among the biggest names to emerge from this music revolution are Davido and Burna Boy, two of the most successful, influential, and talked-about artists on the African continent. While their music has reached millions, there’s another story that fans, industry insiders, and media outlets whisper about: a long-standing, simmering beef between the two stars.
Although not always played out in open diss tracks or direct callouts, the tension between Davido and Burna Boy is real, and it has shaped not only their personal careers but also the dynamics of the Afrobeats scene. This article delves deep into the unspoken rivalry, tracing its origins, decoding the subtle jabs, and analyzing its impact on the industry.
The Rise of Giants: A Brief Background
Before discussing the beef, it’s important to understand who these two artists are and how they rose to fame.
Davido
Born David Adedeji Adeleke, Davido burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 2011 with his hit single “Dami Duro.” A member of one of Nigeria’s wealthiest families, Davido was often seen as a privileged newcomer with access to resources most artists could only dream of. Yet, his work ethic and catchy pop anthems quickly earned him respect, with hits like “Aye,” “Fall,” and “If” dominating airwaves for years.
Burna Boy
Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, began his journey with a more alternative sound, gaining initial recognition with songs like “Like to Party.” He cultivated a unique Afro-fusion style, blending Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and hip hop. His global recognition skyrocketed with the release of “Ye” and subsequent Grammy-nominated albums like African Giant and Twice as Tall, the latter of which earned him a Grammy in 2021.
Both men are icons, but with very different images: Davido, the extroverted, crowd-loving hitmaker; Burna Boy, the edgy, conscious rebel.
Where the Beef Started
While neither artist has openly declared war, fans and insiders trace the origins of their tension back to around 2019–2020, during the explosion of Nigerian music onto the global stage.
1. Clash of Egos
By 2019, both Davido and Burna Boy were enjoying international acclaim. However, things began to sour when Burna Boy took offense at Davido’s declaration of himself and Wizkid as “the two greatest of all time” (GOATs) in a viral Instagram post. In response, Burna Boy posted a cryptic but pointed message on Instagram:
This was widely interpreted as a jab at Davido, referencing his wealthy background and implying he hadn’t earned his success.
2. Subtle Shade and Industry Division
Over time, fans noticed subtler digs between the artists. Burna Boy, known for his bluntness, would often tweet or speak vaguely in ways that seemed directed at Davido. Davido, on the other hand, would respond with strategic silence or passive-aggressive lyrics in his songs.
This rift created a divide in the Nigerian music industry, with some producers, DJs, and influencers quietly picking sides. Even some international collaborators appeared to be caught in the middle, avoiding joint projects involving both artists.
2020: The Year of Escalation
Tensions reached a boiling point in December 2020, during a visit to Ghana. Both artists happened to be staying at the same club in Accra, and multiple eyewitnesses reported a physical altercation between their teams. Though videos surfaced showing a heated exchange, both camps remained largely silent, refusing to confirm the details.
The event, however, reinforced what many fans already believed: the beef was real, not imagined.
Musical Rivalry and Subtle Disses
Unlike American rappers who often engage in public diss tracks, Nigerian artists tend to be more covert. However, music has been one of the main ways Davido and Burna Boy have taken shots at each other.
Burna Boy’s “Way Too Big”
In this track from Twice as Tall, Burna sings:
Many fans interpreted this as a swipe at Davido, framing himself as a superior, untouchable artist.
Davido’s “FEM”
Released after a brief social media hiatus, FEM was widely seen as a response to Burna Boy’s shade. The lyrics:
Here, Davido cleverly references Burna Boy’s nickname “Odogwu” and one of his early songs, “Like to Party.” The not-so-subtle message: “I’m still relevant, and I’m not afraid to talk.”
Wizkid: The Third Variable
The triangle of Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid adds a layer of complexity. While Wizkid and Burna Boy have collaborated multiple times (notably on “Ginger”), Davido has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Wizkid. Their reconciliation in 2022—walking hand-in-hand into a Lagos nightclub—was celebrated by fans.
However, Burna Boy and Wizkid’s bromance (and joint Grammy wins) have led many to speculate that Burna enjoys positioning himself as closer to Wizkid in artistry and global appeal, sidelining Davido in the process.
Public Statements and Denials
Interestingly, both Davido and Burna Boy have, at various times, downplayed the feud.
In 2021, during an interview, Davido remarked:
Burna Boy, similarly, claimed in a 2022 interview that there was “no real beef”, blaming media and fans for blowing things out of proportion.
Despite these statements, the tension lingers, noticeable in the lack of collaboration, industry shade, and fanbase rivalries.
Fanbase Wars: 30BG vs Outsiders
The beef between Davido and Burna Boy isn’t confined to the artists themselves. Their fans—30BG (Davido’s team) and Outsiders (Burna Boy’s fans)—are known for clashing on social media. Twitter is the primary battleground, where fans:
- Compare streaming numbers
- Debate awards and nominations
- Hurl insults during each artist’s releases
These interactions often reignite the rivalry, even when both artists remain silent.
Impact on the Nigerian Music Industry
While rivalry can be destructive, it has also spurred creativity and competition. The Davido vs Burna Boy saga has:
- Pushed both artists to elevate their music: Each new release seems crafted to outdo the other.
- Increased fan engagement: From debates to streaming battles, the rivalry keeps fans emotionally invested.
- Created media attention: Nigerian and international media outlets now analyze even the smallest gestures between the two.
However, the beef also discourages potential collaborations that could benefit the industry. Imagine a Davido x Burna Boy track—streaming platforms would crash. But egos and history continue to make such a union unlikely.
Is Reconciliation Possible?
In Nigerian culture, public feuds are often resolved through mutual friends, elders, or even religious leaders. It’s not uncommon to see rivals hug it out at events or collaborate once the dust settles.
In late 2023, rumors circulated that Davido and Burna Boy had met privately at a mutual friend’s wedding and agreed to move on. However, no photos or confirmation followed, leaving fans skeptical.
Should they ever reconcile publicly, it would mark a major cultural moment—not just in Nigerian music, but globally.
Conclusion
The hidden beef between Davido and Burna Boy is more than celebrity gossip; it’s a lens into the complexities of fame, ego, cultural pride, and competition in modern African music. While both artists have continued to thrive in their own lanes, the undercurrent of rivalry is undeniable.
Whether it ends in a historic collaboration or remains an unspoken standoff, the tension between these two icons has become a defining subplot in the Afrobeats narrative. For fans, insiders, and observers, one thing is clear: you don’t have to say a word to keep a beef alive—sometimes silence speaks volumes.
