Nigerian music icon Innocent “2Baba” Idibia has declared Burna Boy the current frontrunner in the Afrobeats movement, saying the Grammy-winning star is operating on a level above his peers, including Davido and Wizkid.
2Baba made the remark during an appearance on the ‘Mic On’ Podcast, where he acknowledged the impact and talent of Nigeria’s biggest music exports but ultimately ranked Burna Boy at the top of the present Afrobeats hierarchy.
“I have my favourite songs from each of them,” 2Baba said. “But if I must be put on the spot, I think Burna is on the top of the game right now.”
The veteran singer likened comparing Afrobeats stars to evaluating painters, noting that each artist brings a distinct style and creative approach, making such debates largely subjective.
According to him, his assessment was not based on commercial success, personal achievements, or rivalry, but on a broader understanding of the global music landscape.
“Different artists have different styles. There’s nothing like one person sings better than the other. People have different tastes,” he explained. “I’m looking at this from a general perspective. I don’t know their bank accounts or personal achievements, so I can’t speak on that.”
2Baba stressed that his conclusion was drawn from his experience and understanding of how African music currently resonates on the world stage.
“From what I can measure with common sense and knowledge of the music world, Burna is at the top of this chain right now — not just in Nigeria, but in Africa and globally,” he said. “That said, everybody is doing fantastically well.”
Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid are widely regarded as Nigeria’s Afrobeats ‘Big Three’, and debates over who reigns supreme continue to dominate conversations among fans and industry observers. 2Baba’s comments have now added fresh fuel to the long-running discussion over Afrobeats’ global pecking order.
