MAMA BURNA TO AFRICAN ARTISTS: FOCUS ON LEGACY

Legacy. Building one, and leaving one. That’s what it’s all about - according to Bose Ogulu (aka Mama Burna Boy), who recently gave the key-note speech at the UK’s Best of Africa Awards.

There, she scooped the History Maker 2023 gong - and used the occasion to urge African and diaspora artists to be methodical in their creativity, striving not just for short-term success, but aiming at contributing to culture in a lasting and meaningful way. As she puts it, there’s no “shortcut” through the hard work that’s required in building up an artistic legacy.

Moreover, Ogulu - a businesswoman and a talent promoter - says that people like her singer-songwriter son have shown that African talent can break through globally, with international appeal that sells out stadiums the world over. Far from gloating, she wants this to be an inspiration to budding young artists from the continent and diaspora.

Have a watch and let us know if you think she’s as much of a legend in her own right as we think!