Nigerian musician and former presidential candidate, Speed Darlington, has once again courted controversy with his latest remarks about Afro-fusion star Burna Boy. Known for his outspoken views, Darlington took to social media to criticize Burna Boy, suggesting that the Grammy-winning artist could win his category at the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards due to reasons unrelated to his music. His comments have sparked significant discussion across various platforms.
In a video shared online, Speed Darlington linked Burna Boy to American music mogul P. Diddy, who is currently embroiled in legal troubles with the FBI over alleged illegal activities. Darlington claimed that Burna Boy’s connection to P. Diddy, who has long been a prominent figure in the global music industry, could be a factor in his potential Grammy success. “I’m telling you Burna Boy is going to win this Grammy because of his connection to people like P. Diddy,” Darlington stated, fueling speculation and controversy about the influence of powerful figures in the music industry.
The 2025 Grammy nominations, which were recently announced, showcased a host of talented artists, with Burna Boy receiving a nomination in the *Best African Music Performance* category for his song “Higher” from the album *I Told Them*. This marks his second consecutive nomination in this category. However, Speed Darlington took a different view on why Burna Boy could win the prestigious award. “I think Burna Boy is going to win the Grammy, but not because of his music,” Darlington said in the video, setting the stage for his more provocative claims.
Darlington’s comments quickly gained attention, particularly his assertion that Burna Boy’s sexuality would play a role in his potential victory. He pointed to a previous interview where Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, expressed a lack of interest in fatherhood. Darlington seized on this moment, suggesting it was indicative of Burna Boy’s sexual preferences. “There is a video where they asked long face about fatherhood and he said he is not interested. That got me thinking that he does not want a child because he likes sleeping with men,” Darlington claimed, without providing any evidence to support his assertion.
The video quickly went viral, sparking heated debate among Burna Boy’s fans and followers. Many expressed their disbelief over Darlington’s comments, while others criticized him for spreading rumors without basis. “He is gay, you will see that he is going to win Grammy Award,” Darlington continued, further fueling the controversy. His comments appear to suggest that Burna Boy’s success is tied to factors beyond his musical talent, particularly his alleged sexuality.
Burna Boy, who has been a dominant figure in the global music scene in recent years, has yet to respond to Speed Darlington’s claims. The Grammy Awards, set for February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will honor music released between September 16, 2023, and August 30, 2024. Burna Boy’s nomination in the *Best African Music Performance* category marks another milestone in his career, with fans eagerly anticipating whether he will secure another win following his 2023 Grammy victory.
