Buju, who officially changed his stage name to BNXN, was born Daniel Etiese Benson on May 14, 1997. He is one of the most talented Nigerian singers, songwriters, and music producers making waves in the contemporary Afrobeat scene. If you track the trajectories of top Nigerian artists, his rise stands out as a unique masterclass in career pacing and timing.
In this article, we dive into the contract details between BNXN and Spaceship Records to answer a burning question on every Afrobeats fan’s mind: Is Buju still under Burna Boy?
Is Buju Still Under Burna Boy?
No, Buju (BNXN) is no longer signed to Burna Boy’s record label, Spaceship Records. He initially signed a strict one-year contract in 2020. When that contract officially expired in April 2021, BNXN decided to venture out as an independent artist to build his personal brand rather than renewing his executive label deal.
Details on BNXN’s Departure From Spaceship Records
Understanding the context behind the split reveals a lot about how modern African music distribution works. When BNXN initially partnered with the Grammy Award-winning star, it served as a massive launchpad for his career.
- Reason for Leaving: BNXN openly stated that he wanted to manage things differently and have full creative control over his catalog. While he described his time at Spaceship Records as amazing—notably hitting roughly 9 million streams during a pivotal remix campaign—he admitted that the internal structural operations of the label did not completely align with his long-term personal workflow.
- Current Status: Instead of signing another major record deal, BNXN took control of his destiny by launching his independent imprint, To Your Ears Entertainment. This transition significantly influenced financial metrics, streaming royalties, and his overall commercial valuation as detailed in our comprehensive breakdown of BNXN net worth.
The Professional Relationship Between Burna Boy and BNXN Today
Despite choosing not to renew his contract, there is no bad blood between BNXN and Burna Boy. The transition was handled with high professional standards. BNXN continues to publicly express immense gratitude to the “Last Last” pioneer for giving him a global platform early in his career.
During his tenure under Spaceship Records, BNXN secured key milestones that permanently cemented his presence in mainstream Afrobeats. This included a high-profile feature on Burna Boy’s critically acclaimed Twice as Tall album campaign cycle, appearing on the smash hit “Lenu (Remix).” This single served as an early indicator of his global charting potential.
BNXN’s Milestone Career Highlights After Spaceship
Going independent is a risky move in the African music industry, but BNXN successfully beat the odds through strategic industry collaborations and a highly dedicated fan base:
- The Official Name Change: To prevent intellectual property complications and signal a new professional era, Buju officially rebranded to BNXN (pronounced ‘Benson’).
- The “Finesse” Effect: In March 2022, his collaborative efforts with super-producer Pheelz on the chart-topping anthem “Finesse” instantly turned into a global viral sensation, proving his independent viability.
- Sustained Growth: BNXN has continuously stated that taking the independent path through To Your Ears Entertainment allowed him to appreciate the backend business mechanics of music publishing, distribution, and live touring performance rights.
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