Veteran Nigerian music star Innocent “2Baba” Idibia has named Burna Boy as the leading figure in Afrobeats, placing him ahead of Wizkid and Davido in terms of overall impact on the global music scene.

The comment was made during an interview on the Mic On podcast shared on YouTube on Saturday, where 2Baba was asked, “Burna boy, Wizkid, Davido, if you’re to choose one of the music of this artists which one will you choose?”

Responding, the singer acknowledged the strengths of all three artists but said Burna Boy currently stands above the rest.

“I have my favorite songs for each, from all of them…But if I must be put on a spot to say something, I think Burna is on the top of the game,” 2Baba said.

When the interviewer followed up, asking if that ranking was based on talent, artistry and delivery, the music icon stressed that art is subjective.

“like I said earlier different people have different styles, so there’s nothing like this one sing pass. Art anyone wey e be it’s an individual one. Each song is a different thing. Different people have different taste of what they want and like.”

He explained that his view was not influenced by wealth or personal success but by visible impact in the music industry.

“But me I’m going into a general aspect of this. I don’t know know their bank accounts, I don’t have any Information about their personal successes and all that I don’t have that, so I can’t speak on that.”

According to him, Burna Boy’s dominance is clear from industry awareness and global reach.

“But from what I can measure from at least common sense and understanding of the music world I think right now Burna is at the top of this chain, not just in Nigeria, in Africa, in the world.”

2Baba, born Innocent Ujah Idibia, is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian pop music. He rose to prominence with his 2004 debut album Face 2 Face and is widely seen as one of the most influential Afrobeats artists of his generation.

The singer won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2005 and has remained a major voice in African music. In 2025, Billboard ranked his hit song African Queen No. 1 on its list of the greatest Afrobeats songs of all time.

His remarks have since fueled fresh conversations among fans and industry watchers about leadership, evolution and global dominance within Afrobeats as Nigerian music continues to expand its international influence. (AriseNews TV)

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