Burna Boy has apparently had enough of the Big 3 conversation.
During a recent appearance, the Grammy-winning singer offered his own version of Nigeria’s music hierarchy; “Next time anybody tells you about the Big 3, tell them there’s only the Big 2 and then there’s Burna Boy.”
The unofficial Big 3 — Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid — has become one of the most persistent debates in Nigerian music. On might argule that it is a tired debate but the artists themselves have never seemed particularly interested in leaving the ranking alone.
Burna Boy Says There Is Only the Big 2
Burna’s latest declaration is less about creating a new group than removing himself from the existing one.
Rather than accepting his place alongside Davido and Wizkid, he has essentially argued that the two belong in one category and he belongs in another.
It is classic artist bravado, but it also speaks to how Nigerian musicians have historically claimed their position through lyrics, interviews and public declarations.
Burna is hardly the first to rewrite the table.
Rema Previously Declared a Big 4
On his song “HEHEHE,” Rema offered a different interpretation of the hierarchy.
“No more big three, there’s now a big four,” he rapped.
Where Burna separates himself from the Big 3, Rema expands it.
The difference is interesting because in both statements, the artists are refusing to simply accept the hierarchy fans have created for them.
Davido Has Been Claiming His Spot for Years
Davido has been making similar declarations since long before the Big 3 became one of Nigerian music’s favourite arguments.
On “All of You,” from his 2012 debut album Omo Baba Olowo, Davido name-dropped several established Nigerian stars before declaring: “I’m badder than all of you.”
More than a decade later, the sentiment remains remarkably consistent.
Except this time, Davido is putting money behind the argument.
Davido’s $1 Million Hit-for-Hit Challenge
During a recent livestream, Davido said he was willing to put $1 million on a hit-for-hit battle against any artist.
“I will put down a million dollars. I’m willing to do a versus with anybody,” he said, while insisting that nobody has more hits than him.
That changes the conversation slightly.
For years, fans have argued endlessly about who has the strongest catalogue. Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, 2Baba, D’banj, P-Square and other major Nigerian acts regularly enter these debates.
However, a hit-for-hit battle would require something more concrete than a Twitter argument.
It would mean putting the records in the room and seeing which catalogue can actually hold its own.
Will Nigeria Finally Get a Major Verzuz-Style Battle?
The idea is hardly new.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Verzuz turned catalogue battles into a global entertainment format, with artists facing off over their biggest records while millions of viewers argued over every song.
Nigeria got glimpses of the concept, including producer battles, but the major artist-versus-artist spectacle that fans have repeatedly asked for never really arrived.
And that is what makes Davido’s challenge interesting.
The conversation has already been happening for years. Artists have claimed their positions. Fans have made their rankings. Rema has expanded the table. Burna Boy has rejected it. Davido has offered to put $1 million behind his catalogue.
So, at this point, we have to ask, who is actually willing to step on stage and play the hits?
Watch the ESplash conversation below as the presenters unpack Burna Boy’s Big 2 claim, and debate whether Nigeria is finally ready for a proper hit-for-hit battle.
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