By: Staff Writer
November 1, 2022
The highly popular Nigerian and Afrobeat superstar Burna Boy did a no show in Dominica on Saturday due to a delayed flight, only to show up a day later to make his performance.
Thousands of patrons, especially the Haitian and African communities, and locals too, were left disappointed on night 2 of the World Creole Music Festival in Dominica after the headline act failed to show up. The festival is back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colin Piper, chief executive officer of the Discovery Dominica Authority, told Caribbean Magazine Plus that Burna Boy’s no show at Friday’s event was not as a result of the agency’s failure to pay.
He said: “He didn’t perform on Friday so we made the arrangements for him to perform on Sunday.” Responding to directed questions about payment being an issue, he said: “That is not accurate.”
Burna Boy was expected to perform on Saturday but to the disappointment of patrons, the artiste reportedly did not make it to the island because of travel issues
Burna Boy along with Omah Lay was booked for their first performances on Dominican soil.
Mr Piper could not prevent the “boos” from the crowd when he made the announcement of their postponement. He said Burna Boy’s nonappearance was beyond his control however he will be forming on Sunday
Patrons with Saturday night tickets are told that they will enter the show free of charge on Sunday, however, some people purchased season tickets. Nightly tickets cost EC$150/ US$58 and season tickets cost EC$375/ US$144. The current special rate for Party VIP is EC$960/ US$369 season pass or EC$350/ US$135 nightly while stocks last.
It was also reported that Burna Boy was supposed to have been paid a six figure sum to perform on that one night in addition to having a myriad of stipulations for him and his entourage.
Fans were clearly disappointed and said they only came to see Burna Boy perform. Others took to their ranting to social media pages, saying that Burna Boy was the only reason they bought the Saturday night.
“Things are so hard in Dominica already I just wasted EC$200. Who says I wanted to go anywhere Sunday”
Burna Boy, according to sources did not get a connecting flight to Dominica due to the scarcity of flights and issues surrounding intra-regional travel. According to reports, he was stuck in Trinidad, after having performed there two nights ago.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut studio album.
In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio album, “Outside”, marked his major-label debut.
In 2019, he won Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards and was announced as an Apple Music Up Next artist.
In July 2022, Burna Boy released his sixth studio album, “Love, Damini” which also became the highest debut of an African album on Billboard, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France.
In October, Burna Boy was given the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic for his achievements in music.
The WCMF is taking place from October 28 to 30.