Burna Boy Says He Turned Down $5 Million Dubai Gig Because Smoking Weed Is Illegal In The UAE

November 1, 2023 by Twila-Amoure McDaniel in Music with 0 Comments

Burna Boy

Burna Boy Says He Turned Down $5 Million Dubai Gig Because Smoking Weed Is Illegal In The UAE

Burna Boy seemingly isn’t pressed for cash.

A video was recently shared online of the Nigerian artist freestyling as members of his band played music. During the rap, Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, revealed that he turned down a $5 million offer to perform in Dubai because smoking weed is banned in the UAE city. According to reports, attempting to enter Dubai with the controversial drug could result in a five-year sentence, and if you’re caught smoking weed there, you might face a minimum of three months behind bars, and possible deportation once released. For weed lovers, a way to ensure you avoid these penalties is to stay out of Dubai, and it seems Burna Boy, 32, has opted to do just that.

In footage of the “Last Last” artist enjoying downtime with his band, The Outsiders, he rapped,

“Just now I turned down Dubai money, 5 million dollars na small thing ‘cause me I no dey like to dey go where dem no go gree allow me smoke igbo,”

Reportedly, “igbo” is a term used in Nigeria to refer to cannabis.

“Hustle make you go fall off like Brymo” — Burna Boy ? ? pic.twitter.com/XGnCojYMPc

— WeTalkSound (WTS) (@wetalksound) October 31, 2023

Burna Boy is no stranger to sharing his truth in and out of the studio. As previously reported, in August he seemingly rubbed some music lovers the wrong way with his thoughts on afrobeats. During an interview with media personality/DJ Zane Lowe, he said,

“There is no substance to it, like, nobody is talking about anything, it’s just a great time. It’s an amazing time.”

He added,

“But at the end of the day, life is not an amazing time…you’re still going to face life. So for me, I feel like, music should be that. Music should be the essence of the artist, you understand, the artist is a person. Me speaking for myself, the artist is a person who has good days, bad days, great days, and worst days.”