It’s about blowing not just starting – Afrobeats Intelligence CEO defends Davido’s “new cat” tag on Burna Boy

Nigerian music star Davido caused an uproar this week with his comments describing fellow Afrobeats artist Burna Boy as a “new cat” in the music industry.

In an interview with Brut, Davido claimed that he and Wizkid made Afrobeats to gain global recognition before newer artists like Burna Boy came onto the scene.

“Everybody knows that I was one of the first, me and Wizkid to blow up. It feels good also seeing that the news cats coming up; like Burna Boy, Rema, Fireboy, Rema, Asake, and Mayorkun,” Davido said.

His comments sparked debate on social media, with some agreeing that Davido and Wizkid helped popularize Afrobeats but others arguing that Burna Boy, who won a Grammy last year, deserves more credit.

Amid the heated backlash, Joey Akan, a Nigerian entertainment journalist and CEO of Afrobeats Intelligence, has defended Davido.

He argued in a tweet on Thursday, June 8, that being called a senior musician is not when you started singing but when you gained wider recognition.

“Seniority for music industry na when you blow. Not when you carry mic. When you actually blow, Naim be your set,” he said.

However, Akan also acknowledged Burna Boy’s success, telling Davido that he shouldn’t have classified him among the new schools like Rema and Asake.

“Burna Boy has been my hometown hero in Port Harcourt since Abeg Abeg. But he became the world's hero with African Giant.

“New Cat niyen. He just shouldn't have grouped him with latest cats,” Akan added in a similar tweet.