Introduction: A Night That Shook Afrobeats
In late December 2020, Accra, Ghana, was buzzing with energy. The city was hosting celebrities, parties, and concerts for its annual “Detty December” celebration. Afrobeats superstars from across Africa had gathered for performances and end-of-year festivities.
But among the glitz and glamour, an unexpected drama unfolded. Two of Nigeria’s biggest names — Burna Boy and Davido — were reported to have clashed in a heated altercation inside a popular Ghanaian nightclub.
The news spread like wildfire. Fans were shocked. How could two African music giants, both representing the same genre on the global stage, end up in a physical confrontation?
To truly understand what happened that night, we have to go back to where it all began — the years of tension, subtle shade, and competition that led to the infamous Burna Boy & Davido fight in Ghana.
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Burna Boy and Davido — Two Titans of Afrobeats
Davido — The Hitmaker With Global Appeal
Davido, born David Adedeji Adeleke, burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 2011 with his hit single Dami Duro. His infectious sound, charisma, and ability to connect with audiences quickly made him a household name.
Known for mega-hits like Fall, If, FIA, and Fem, Davido’s music blends Afrobeats with elements of pop and R&B. By 2020, he had become an international superstar, collaborating with artists like Chris Brown, Popcaan, and Summer Walker.
Despite his immense success, Davido’s wealthy background has always been a talking point in the industry. Critics often questioned whether his rise to fame was purely talent-driven or influenced by his family’s fortune. Davido, however, consistently proved himself with hit after hit.
Burna Boy — The African Giant
Burna Boy, born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, took a different path to stardom. Breaking into the scene in 2012 with Like to Party, Burna developed his own Afro-fusion style — blending reggae, dancehall, and African rhythms.
Albums like African Giant and Twice As Tall cemented his position as one of Africa’s most respected artists. His music carried a sense of pride, activism, and authenticity. By 2020, Burna Boy wasn’t just an Afrobeats star — he was a Grammy-winning global icon.
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The Seeds of Rivalry: Burna Boy vs Davido
Social Media Shade
The first signs of tension between Burna Boy and Davido emerged on social media. Burna Boy shared cryptic posts suggesting that some artists in the industry had achieved success because of privilege rather than raw talent.
He didn’t mention Davido by name, but the implication seemed clear to fans. Discussions erupted online, with many pointing out Davido’s wealthy upbringing.
Davido’s Response
Davido decided not to remain silent. In mid-2020, he posted a photo of himself with Wizkid — another Afrobeats giant — captioned:
“The two greatest of all time — no debate.”
Many saw this as an intentional exclusion of Burna Boy from the “GOAT” conversation. This subtle shade deepened the rivalry.
The “Fem” Moment
In September 2020, Davido released Fem, a confident track whose title means “Shut up” in Nigerian slang.
One particular lyric caught fans’ attention:
“Tell Odogwu say we like to party…”
“Odogwu” is Burna Boy’s nickname. Like to Party was Burna’s breakout song. The connection was too obvious for fans to ignore, and speculation about a brewing feud intensified.
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Why Ghana Became the Battlefield
Detty December in Accra
December in Accra is a magnet for African celebrities. The city becomes a hub for concerts, exclusive parties, and social events. Artists, influencers, and fans flock from around the world.
Both Davido and Burna Boy were in Ghana for performances and appearances in December 2020. With tensions already simmering, it was almost inevitable that they would cross paths.
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The Night of the Fight: December 27–28, 2020
Level Up Rooftop Lounge — A Celebrity Hotspot
The events unfolded at Level Up Rooftop Lounge, a popular nightlife spot in Accra. The atmosphere that night was electric. Music blasted through the speakers, drinks flowed freely, and high-profile guests mingled in VIP sections.
Burna Boy and his entourage were in the club. Davido arrived later with his own crew.
The Confrontation Begins
Eyewitnesses say Burna Boy’s group moved toward Davido’s section. Whether it was intentional or a coincidence remains unclear.
Tensions quickly escalated. Words were exchanged, and voices grew louder. The room’s energy shifted as other patrons noticed the standoff.
From Words to Action
The verbal exchange reportedly turned into a brief physical altercation. Members of both entourages got involved. Security rushed in to prevent a full-blown fight.
Security Steps In
Burna Boy was escorted out of the venue by security. Davido also left shortly after. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
What could have turned into a major incident ended in minutes — but the drama was far from over.
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The Morning After: Social Media Explodes
Fan Reactions
By morning, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were flooded with posts about the fight. Hashtags like #Davido, #BurnaBoy, and #GhanaFight began trending.
Fans took sides. Some defended Davido, others backed Burna Boy. Memes and jokes quickly followed, adding fuel to the fire.
No Official Statements
Neither Burna Boy nor Davido gave detailed public accounts of what happened. Their silence left room for endless speculation.
Music blogs, gossip platforms, and YouTube commentators dissected every rumor.
Industry Figures Call for Peace
Several prominent figures in Nigerian entertainment called for calm. They urged the stars to put differences aside for the sake of Afrobeats’ global reputation.
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Timeline of the Burna Boy–Davido Feud
1.Early 2020 — Burna Boy makes cryptic social media posts about “industry privilege.”
2.Mid-2020 — Davido posts with Wizkid, calling them “the two greatest,” excluding Burna Boy.
3.September 2020 — Davido releases Fem, with lyrics interpreted as aimed at Burna Boy.
4.December 2020 — Both artists arrive in Ghana for Detty December events.
5.December 27–28, 2020 — Confrontation at Level Up Rooftop Lounge in Accra.
6.Post-Fight — Social media erupts, industry figures call for peace.
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Impact on Afrobeats
Fanbase Division
The feud deepened divisions among Afrobeats fans. Supporters passionately defended their favorite artists.
Global Perception
While the incident was a hot topic online, it didn’t appear to damage Afrobeats’ growing reputation internationally.
Missed Collaboration Opportunities
Some industry insiders expressed disappointment, noting that a Burna Boy–Davido collaboration could have been historic for African music.
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How the Feud Cooled Down
Focus on Music
By 2021, both artists shifted focus back to their careers. Burna Boy won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album. Davido continued selling out shows worldwide.
Less Public Tension
The public jabs stopped. Both seemed more interested in expanding their global reach than in continuing the rivalry.
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Lessons from the Burna Boy & Davido Incident
1.Egos and fame can collide even among successful artists.
2.Social media fuels conflicts by amplifying small issues.
3.Unity benefits everyone — Afrobeats thrives when artists work together.
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Where They Stand Today
As of 2025, Burna Boy and Davido remain dominant forces in Afrobeats. Their Ghana altercation is now a memorable chapter in music history — but one that hasn’t overshadowed their achievements.
Fans still hope to see them share a stage one day, not as rivals, but as collaborators representing Africa’s talent to the world.
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Conclusion: More Than Just a Fight
The Burna Boy and Davido fight in Ghana wasn’t just about one night. It was the peak of a rivalry built on competition, public shade, and fan-fueled drama.
Thankfully, it ended without serious harm, and both stars moved forward to achieve even greater heights.
For fans, the hope is clear: the next headline about Burna Boy and Davido should be about music — not conflict.
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