2Baba Crowns Burna Boy as Current Afrobeats Leader in Big 3 Debate
Legendary Nigerian musician Innocent "2Baba" Idibia has officially entered the long-standing debate about Nigeria's "Big 3" Afrobeats stars, declaring Burna Boy as the current leader ahead of both Wizkid and Davido. The veteran artist shared his perspective during a recent appearance on the Mic On Podcast with host Seun Okinbaloye, recorded on February 7, 2026, where discussions centered on musical legacy and contemporary success metrics within the Afrobeats industry.
Musical Assessment Over Financial Metrics
When directly questioned about the ongoing rivalry between Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, 2Baba emphasized that his evaluation was based purely on artistic merit rather than personal preferences or financial considerations. While acknowledging that he appreciates music from all three artists, the veteran musician stated that Burna Boy currently occupies the premier position based on observable musical achievements and global influence.
"I have my favorite songs from each of all of them but Burna Boy is on top of the game. He's ahead of Davido and Wizkid, not just in Nigeria or Africa, in the world," 2Baba declared during the podcast conversation.
The music icon carefully distinguished between artistic impact and commercial success, noting that he lacks insight into the artists' financial standings or private accomplishments. His assessment, he explained, derives exclusively from musical influence, talent demonstration, artistic delivery, and international reach rather than bank account figures.
Burna Boy's Global Achievements Support 2Baba's Position
Burna Boy's recent career accomplishments provide substantial evidence supporting 2Baba's ranking. The Grammy-winning artist has broken multiple records with his latest tour, officially becoming the highest-grossing African touring artist in history. Furthermore, at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Burna Boy secured his seventh consecutive nomination, establishing a new record for African artists with nominations in both Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance categories.
With career Grammy nominations now totaling thirteen, Burna Boy's international footprint continues expanding significantly. 2Baba acknowledged the tremendous success of all three superstars while suggesting that personal taste often influences perceptions of artistic superiority rather than objective measurement standards.
2Baba Dismisses Wizkid-Fela Kuti Comparisons as "Ridiculous"
The veteran musician extended his measured commentary to address another contentious debate circulating within music circles: comparisons between contemporary star Wizkid and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. 2Baba described such arguments as completely unreasonable, stating they disrespect Fela's legacy while being unfair to Wizkid since both artists represent fundamentally different musical eras and artistic purposes.
"It's mind-boggling. There's nothing to talk about there. Fela is Fela. Wizkid is Wizkid," 2Baba asserted during the podcast discussion.
His comments arrived shortly after Fela Kuti received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2026, following weeks of heated debates sparked by exchanges between Seun Kuti and members of Wizkid's fan community.
The Enduring Big 3 Controversy in Nigerian Music
For several years, the "Big 3" designation has been widely used by fans, critics, and media outlets to describe Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy as Nigeria's most dominant musical exports on the global stage. The debate about artistic supremacy has generated intense discussions involving fans, journalists, fellow musicians, and even the artists themselves.
In late 2025, iconic rapper and label executive Olamide Baddo described Wizkid as the greatest star of Nigeria's modern musical era, generating substantial controversy within industry circles. All three artists have actively participated in this ongoing discourse, with Davido referring to himself as "001," Wizkid adopting the "Biggest Bird" and "Number 1" monikers, and Burna Boy frequently describing himself as "The Highest."
As one of Nigeria's most respected musical veterans who can legitimately claim historical significance within Nigerian pop music, 2Baba's perspective carries considerable weight within industry discussions. However, his declaration is unlikely to conclude a debate that continues evolving with each new chapter in Nigeria's vibrant musical landscape.
