Veteran Nollywood actor, Patrick Doyle, has stirred controversy by suggesting that the accolades and recognition Burna Boy has garnered over the years are not entirely merited. In a candid Facebook post on Wednesday, Doyle criticized the Grammy-award-winning singer, asserting that Burna Boy hasn’t achieved anything “remotely described as great” on his own.
Doyle emphasized the contributions of iconic musicians such as Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo, I.K Dairo, and others, stating that they laid the groundwork for contemporary artists like Burna Boy. He believes that the newer generation of artists should exhibit humility and gratitude towards their predecessors who faced numerous challenges to establish a foundation for the music industry.
The actor’s post read,
“The credit for the feats that appear to be puffing the likes of Burna Boy up have to be properly ascribed to the greats who cleared the thorny paths that have created pathways for his likes to walk through practically effortlessly. Burna Boy has not by himself done anything that can be remotely described as great.”
He further elaborated on the importance of recognizing the efforts of past legends, stating, “Great artistes like Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo, Majek Fashek, I. K. Dairo, and a galaxy of others who paved the way from the 60s, to the 2000s. Greatness and great feats don’t exist in a vacuum.”
Concluding his post, Doyle warned against fostering an environment that might lead to the rise of “an arrogant and obnoxious monster,” urging the community to acknowledge the true pioneers of the music industry.
