Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy has found himself at the centre of controversy after his highly anticipated concert at FNB Stadium in South Africa was postponed due to low ticket sales. The news has sparked a frenzy on social media, with many South Africans mocking the self-proclaimed ‘Giant of Africa’ for his inability to fill the massive 94,000-capacity venue.
The concert, which was scheduled to take place this Saturday, was set to be hosted by Somizi Mhlongo, a well-known South African media personality, with Major League DJz as the opening act. However, an official statement released on Tuesday announced that the event has been rescheduled to December 16, much to the disappointment of Burna Boy’s fans.
South Africans wasted no time in expressing their amusement and disbelief at the turn of events. Some Twitter users compared Burna Boy’s failed concert to South African rapper Cassper Nyovest’s successful sold-out show at FNB Stadium in 2017, highlighting the stark difference in popularity between the two artists.
Others took this opportunity to bring up a past controversy involving Burna Boy and the late South African rapper AKA. In 2020, during an alleged xenophobic crisis, tensions escalated between the two artists, leading to a public feud. Twitter users resurfaced Burna Boy’s tweets from that time, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning his sincerity towards South Africans.
Burna Boy postponing his show doesn’t sit well with me, I wanted him to perform in an empty stadium 😭
— Pfarelo (@PfareloMulondo) September 19, 2023
Nigerians “Burna boy can fill up the venue anywhere he goes… Dey African giant” 😭
Cassper Nyovest 🇿🇦 Burna Boy 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/2qjE57xnrF
— ChrisExcel (@ChrisExcel102) September 19, 2023
This the same guy who wanted to fill up FNB?💀Burna boy can holdat pic.twitter.com/mv9RTmVD3k
— Gubz (@VhoGubz) September 19, 2023
Burna Boy Concert pic.twitter.com/BXhszYhHjT
— Pauline (@Miss_PauLee) September 19, 2023
Responding to the backlash, Burna Boy took to his Instagram stories to address the mocking and express his love for South Africans.
He defended his previous visit to the country, stating that he had a massive turnout of fans outside a venue, despite the cancellation of his concert due to safety concerns. The Nigerian superstar assured his South African fans that he’ll be back to hold his concert and expressed his affection for the country.
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