BNXN, the Nigerian singer formerly known as Buju, has fired back at American rapper Fat Joe over claims that he was forced to change his stage name.
Fat Joe made the allegation during a podcast appearance alongside Jamaican dancehall star Buju Banton, where he described BNXN as a “fake guy” using the Buju name. He further claimed the Nigerian artiste changed his name after being called out on The Wendy Williams Show.
Responding in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), BNXN dismissed the claim and accused the US rapper of spreading misinformation about African music. In the now-deleted post, he criticised Fat Joe and urged him to “educate” himself.
In subsequent messages, BNXN adopted a more measured tone, stating that even in moments of anger, he strives to maintain his humanity and values mutual respect. He also expressed appreciation to fans and supporters who spoke in his defence.
The singer officially changed his stage name from Buju to BNXN in 2022. While he did not initially provide a detailed explanation, the move was widely linked to confusion with Buju Banton, as online searches for “Buju” often referenced the Jamaican artiste.
BNXN had earlier explained that “Buju” was an acronym he created, meaning “Beauty Underneath Just Understood,” inspired by his personal experiences during his university years. He also noted that the name has Jamaican roots, referring to breadfruit and sometimes used as a nickname for chubby children.
The exchange highlights ongoing conversations about identity, branding, and global recognition within the music industry.