Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has addressed the controversy surrounding his abrupt exit from the stage during his performance at the #GreaterLagosCountdown2025, following backlash over his early departure. The incident took place during the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve event in Lagos, where the singer was scheduled for a brief performance but ended up entertaining the crowd for nearly an hour.
In a statement shared via his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Burna Boy clarified the circumstances that led to his decision to leave the stage. He explained that the performance was originally slated for 10 minutes, but he had exceeded expectations by performing for almost an hour. However, his departure was prompted by an unexpected and unsettling incident—a fan stormed the stage mid-performance.
Burna Boy addressed the disruption, emphasizing his firm rule against any form of surprise stage invasions. “Everybody knows my rule about getting on stage and startling me when I’m performing,” he wrote, underlining his frustration with the incident. “I had an amazing time with Lagos State last night.”
The Grammy winner went on to urge his fans to respect his personal boundaries, revealing that the event triggered a personal struggle. “Don’t jump on my stage like that! I got PTSD. I love you all. Happy New Year,” he added.
While security quickly removed the fan who stormed the stage, the artist’s abrupt exit left many attendees confused and upset. Some fans took to social media to express their disappointment, accusing Burna Boy of arrogance and disrespecting his audience. One critic, tweeting under the handle #ibrahimmalcolm, said, “Just pride and arrogance, somewhat disrespect to the very audience he’s ‘performing’ for.”
Others, however, defended the artist, citing his repeated warnings against stage invasions. “Why people no dey hear word? En don talk am severally, make dem no try dey jump on stage when en dey there,” wrote one supporter.
Despite the mixed reactions, Burna Boy’s stance highlights the importance of respecting boundaries during live performances, an issue that remains a point of contention in the ongoing debate.
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