Afrobeats star Burna Boy has opened up about how his collaboration with rock legend Mick Jagger on the hit song, “Empty Chairs”, came to be.
The Nigerian singer said everything began with supermodel Naomi Campbell. Speaking, Burna Boy revealed that Campbell helped connect him with the Rolling Stones frontman.
“It is actually crazy because it was initiated by Naomi Campbell,” the Nigerian songwriter, producer and Grammy-winner shared.
“She made it happen. Next thing I saw, I was talking with Mick Jagger. It was like we knew each other for like forever.”
Burna Boy
Burna Boy further explained that working with Jagger felt natural, even though they are from different musical backgrounds.
Jagger can be heard on “Empty Chairs”, which appears on Burna Boy’s newly released album, “No Sign of Weakness”. Music lovers have praised the collaboration for its remarkable fusion of Afrobeats and classic rock.
“No Sign of Weakness is really like a celebration of the fact that that I’m still here throughout all these years and all the trials and tribulations. I decided to intentionally make sure everyone on this project could comfortably and genuinely say they’re a rock star.”
Burna Boy
Campbell has always supported Burna Boy’s career. In 2020, the English model launched an attack on the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, after Burna Boy was denied a win at that year’s ceremony.
In an open letter to the organizers of the Grammy Awards, Campbell praised Angelique Kidjo for spreading the light through her music and putting the continent on the map.
But she stated that Burna Boy was denied an accolade he deserves because “of a lack of education”.
According to her, the Recording Academy failed to include afrobeats, a popular genre of music that has elements of West African styles, in the World Music Category. “This misrepresentation diminishes an entire genre in which such a high standard of talent has emerged: a genre that has been a force of hope and positivity for many, and a vehicle for artistry on the continent of Africa,” she wrote.
She further encouraged the Academy to create a new category strictly for the genre: “Please get up to speed on the state of all popular music today, and include Afrobeats Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and all the subcategories that this genre deserves.”
Despite having one of the most successful years, Nigeria’s Burna Boy missed out on his first Grammy Award after Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo successfully claimed her fourth.
Burna Boy Speaks on Conversion From Christianity
The Afrobeats Grammy-winning superstar brought to the fore the events and journey that led to his spiritual evolution.
He revealed that he has converted to Islam. He shared details about his upbringing and his eventual shift in faith.
The 34-year-old Port Harcourt-born disclosed that he was raised in a devout Christian household and followed the faith because his parents were firm believers.
As he grew older and began living life on his own terms, he said he became curious about religion, which sparked a journey of discovery.
“I was born into Christianity because that’s what my parents practised. However, as I grew older, I began to research life and faith more deeply. That was when I found Islam.”
Burna Boy
The singer explained that his decision wasn’t a result of rebellion, but rather a genuine and heartfelt conviction that drove him to make that choice.
He emphasised that it was a thoughtful and intentional decision, stemming from his own personal beliefs and values, rather than a reaction against something or someone else. “It was something that came naturally to me. I just felt a connection and peace,” he added.
He went on to share how the curiosity in him deepens by the day as it has opened a hunger in him to know more.
“Even now, I’m still learning, the more I read, the more I realize how much I don’t know. But there’s peace in it, and that’s something I’ve been searching for my whole life.”
Burna Boy
This revelation has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some welcoming his decision and others questioning how his new faith will align with his public persona and music.
Burna Boy’s transition adds another layer to his complex public persona, which is characterised by themes of identity, struggle, and self-discovery in his music.
On the contrary, some fans have questioned how his public personality and musical style, which are rich in boldness and controversy, might align with his new religious identity.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Banking Sector Emerges from the Ashes of Debt Restructuring As Its Revival Stuns Africa
