Nigerian singer Skales has publicly called for an end to the online disrespect directed at Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, firmly stating that the “African Giant” stands in a league of his own. The intervention came after Burna Boy faced criticism for performing their 2015 collaboration ‘Temper (Remix)’ during his recent headline show at New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Skales addressed the controversy: “Please put some respect on Burna’s name… Burna is not anybody’s mate including me. I’ve been seeing some BS fly around that is made up. Burna never said that… leave that man alone. Much respect to Odogwu.”
The clarification follows online commentary suggesting Burna Boy only performed the track due to Skales’ current commercial resurgence, fueled by the TikTok revival of his 2015 hit ‘Shake Body.’ Barcelona FC star Yamine Yamal’s viral dance videos to the song have sparked renewed global interest in Skales’ catalog.
Industry observers note that Burna Boy has consistently included ‘Temper (Remix)’ in his sets for years, making the recent criticism appear unfounded. The debate emerges as both artists enjoy career highs – Burna Boy continues breaking continental records with sold-out stadium shows across Europe, including London’s O2 Arena and Paris’ 80,000-capacity Stade de France.
Skales’ public defense highlights the camaraderie among Afrobeats stars amid the genre’s global expansion, even as competitive tensions sometimes surface online. His statement reinforces Burna Boy’s elite status while tactfully acknowledging their different career trajectories since their early collaboration.
As Afrobeats solidifies its international presence, the exchange underscores ongoing conversations about artistic respect within Nigeria’s vibrant but sometimes contentious music community. Both artists remain focal points of the culture’s global takeover, albeit occupying different spaces in its ecosystem.
