By Osagie Alonge
Burna Boy has been described by those who know him well as ‘Talented’ but ‘uncontrollable’.
The dancehall star (real name Damini Ogulu) who signed with the record label in 2011 is looking at launching his own company at the start of 2014. Burna has made this clear with Aristokrat even though the news of his departure has not reached the public.
Burna Boy’s controversial tweet was deleted monemts later. Photo: Twitter
A few weeks ago, the dark-skinned Port Harcourt bred act hinted at leaving the label. ‘Change is about to happen. I know #BBG will stick with me no matter what. Watch out for future announcement. #BBG’. #BBG refers to his newly formed crew ‘Burna Boy Goons’. The tweet was deleted moments later.
Little known Burna signed with Aristokrat in July 2011, released two mixtapes ‘Burn Notice’ and ‘Burn Identity’ in April and November 2011 respectively. He then went on to drop the mid-tempo hit record‘Like to Party’ in mid-2012. With two other successful singles ‘Tonight’ and ‘Run my race’, Burna rose to fame, making a name for himself.
Burna Boy’s debut album, ‘L.I.F.E’ was released in August 2013.
We are told that problem ensued when his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ dropped in August 2013. Burna Boy wasn’t pleased with the way the label handled the marketing and release of the album.
Contrary to reports earlier published, Burna did NOT get a N10m upfront payment for the album. The artiste feels the label should have done better – probably with a high budget album launch, major campaign etc.
‘He can’t be told anything to do, he’s a big boy right now. He won’t just listen anymore, the label are frustrated with his actions’.
Burna has moved out of the house provided for him by the label in Lekki Phase 1 and relocated to house in Chevron Estate also in Lekki, Lagos. He has extricated himself from them and now handles his career with a former label employee who now only answers to him (Burna).
A rep for the label confirms that there is an on-going rift but insists both parties are still in an agreement. ‘His contract expires in 2014 but what he thinks is of his own. The label has provided everything for him’.
The rep also tells us that Burna wants a new arrangement and agreement with the label. ‘He wants to be in more control of his career’.
Aristokrat Records artistes – Pucado, Ozone, Kamar, Mojeed and producer Leriq. Photo: Aristokrat Records
Burna is also not too pleased that Aristokrat is now concentrating on the other acts signed to the label – Pucado, Kamar, Ozone and Mojeed. This year alone, they have all released official singles accompanied with videos.
Burn Boy’s ‘uncontrollable’ mannerism and persona didn’t just start yesterday; NET investigations and sources have linked him to a criminal past, a period of his life he would rather not make public knowledge.
We are told on good authority that while in the UK back in 2010, Burna Boy was arrested by London Police for allegedly being part of a gang and stabbing someone to death. He was tried as a minor and sent to jail.
After 11 months, he was released and given two months parole plus community service on the grounds of being of ‘good behaviour’. But Burna is said to have disobeyed authorities and travelled back to Nigeria where he signed a record deal with Aristokrat.
He later travelled back to the UK but was arrested at the airport and deported to Nigeria. He is currently barred from the UK for the next 15 years.
Burna Boy, his mother Bose Ogulu at the Globacom deal signing, May 2013. Photo: Instagram
Burna Boy with the help of his mother Bose Ogulu (who serves as his booking agent/manager) will be looking at forming their own company/movement soon.
Unfortunately, insiders say there are issues with his new management structure. We’re told his minders fumbled a recent deal with Guinness, asking for a 200 per cent increase in a proposed endorsement deal fee. They never got it and Burna was taken off.
We are also told that Globacom, the telecoms company that handed him a mouth-watering deal earlier in the year are not willing to extend his contract after his one-year deal lapses.
Burna is currently managed by his mother Bose Ogulu who is the daughter of Benson Idonije, a veteran broadcaster and highlife critic who once managed Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
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