Burna Boy Rejects $5 Million Dubai Offer, Launches Cannabis Brand, and Headlines 2026 World Cup Anthem

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has made international headlines by turning down a $5 million performance in Dubai due to the country's strict cannabis laws, underscoring his commitment to the plant as a core part of his identity. His refusal was immortalized during a 2023 live performance, where he sang, “Me I no dey like to dey go where dem no go gree allow me smoke igbo,” using the Nigerian term for cannabis. This principled stand resonated globally, especially as he continues to champion cannabis culture despite its criminalization in his home country

Burna Boy's advocacy extends beyond personal use. In October 2022, he launched his own cannabis brand, BRKFST, in Miami, partnering with Jokes Up/Ice Kream. The brand debuted during Miami Carnival with a range of products including flower, tea, snacks, and more, all under the slogan #BrkfstIsSmokers. The move aligns him with international music stars like Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, but sets him apart for launching his brand while Nigeria still enforces strict anti-cannabis laws

Cannabis references are central to Burna Boy's music, most notably in his hit "Last Last," which dominated the US Afrobeats charts for eight weeks and features the line, “I need igbo and shayo.” According to High Times, Burna Boy highlighted the contradiction in Nigeria's approach to cannabis, stating, “It’s just kind of hypocritical out there. They try to make it seem like if you smoke weed you’ll just go mad in Nigeria. Everybody smokes it. It’s just a topic no one wants to talk about.” By openly addressing these issues, Burna Boy has become a rare voice for cannabis normalization in Africa's most populous nation

Burna Boy's ascent in the global music scene has been meteoric. Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu in Port Harcourt, he broke out with “Like to Party” in 2012 and went on to win the Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2021. His fusion of afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop has filled stadiums from London to Paris, and his influence has only grown with each album. In 2025, he released his eighth studio album and secured a multi-year global ambassador deal with Swiss sportswear brand ON, further cementing his cross-industry appeal

Now, Burna Boy is set to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, 2026, alongside Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. He and Shakira have also released the official tournament anthem, “Dai Dai,” with proceeds supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. For OG Lab, Burna Boy’s trajectory illustrates how cannabis culture is intersecting with mainstream global entertainment and sports. His unwavering stance on cannabis, even at personal and professional risk, signals a shift in how artists can leverage their platforms to challenge stigma and drive industry change worldwide