Burna Boy paid for selected UPTH patients, not all – spokesperson
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has faulted reports that musician, Burna Boy, covered all medical bills for patients during a recent visit to the hospital.
The hospital clarified that the music icon only settled the bills of selected patients at the facility, contrary to claims of covering all outstanding bills.
Mrs Elabha Meni, the institution’s spokesperson, made the clarification in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“We commend Burna Boy’s kindness in financially assisting select patients in our hospital to offset their bills during his visit on June 11.
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“However, contrary to reports stating that all patients bills in UPTH were paid during the visit, only selected patients received cash gifts or donations.
“The hospital did not receive direct payments from the musician and his team on behalf of patients to support this worthy course of reducing healthcare cost,” Meni clarified.
Meni lauded the musician’s charitable act in helping those in need in the society.
Early life and education
Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
He grew up in Southern Nigeria, where he began making his own beats using FL Studio. He attended Corona Secondary School in Agbara, Ogun State, and later moved to London, England, to further his studies. Burna Boy’s maternal grandfather, Benson Idonije, was a manager for Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.
Rise to stardom and debut studio album
Burna Boy rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing “Like to Party,” the lead single from his debut studio album, L.I.F.E (2013). The success of the single helped establish Burna Boy as a prominent figure in Nigerian music.
Collaboration with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group
In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally to release his third studio album, Outside (2018). This collaboration with major international record labels helped expand Burna Boy’s reach to a global audience.
Awards and nominations
Burna Boy’s talent has earned him several awards and nominations, including:
Best International Act at the BET Awards in 2019
Apple Music Up Next artist in 2019
Album of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards in 2019 for his album African Giant
Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020 for African Giant
African Artist of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards
Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021 for his album Twice as Tall
The Headies Afrobeats Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Last Last” in 2023
Burna Boy’s impact on Nigerian music
Burna Boy’s success in Nigerian music has helped elevate the genre to a global stage. His distinctive fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, hip hop, and R&B has made him an influential figure in the music industry. His awards, nominations, and collaborations with international record labels have contributed to the growing popularity of Nigerian music worldwide.
