Here is full story of how Burna Boy auditioned for his deal with Atlantic Records

In 2017, Burna Boy met Kirk Harding and Matthew Baus of Atlantic label JV, Bad Habit over dinner at 805 Restaurant in South London.
Here is full story of how Burna Boy auditioned for his deal with Atlantic Records. (GQ)

On March 5, 2020, Burna Boy an incredible feature on Conde Nast publication, GQ Magazine. He was interviewed by OG, Lola Ogunnaike. It was not just an interview either, Burna Boy had a beautiful photo spread that could easily form a collage.

During the interview which started with Burna Boy giving Ogunnaike a cold shoulder, he eventually warmed into the chat. One part that struck a chord is how Burna Boy got his record deal with Atlantic Records.


Burna Boy's talent has always been apparent and it was during one of his toughest periods as an artist that he got the link-up. In 2015, he released On A Spaceship and in 2016, he released Redemption. Then, he met Kirk Harding and Matthew 'Baus' Adesuyan of Atlantic label JV, Bad Habit, over dinner at 805 Restaurant in South London.

The two men who are now part of a three-man team alongside Burna Boy's mom, Bose Ogulu had discovered Burna Boy's music via Spotify. Of the experience, Ogunnaike writes that, "They (Harding and Baus) quickly realized that Burna was already a bona fide celebrity.."

Baus says, "He walked in with a small group of people, and all of the servers in the place started crying. It was like a miniature pandemonium.” Harding adds that, “People were running out of the kitchen to see him. He performed six songs in front of us that night and I called Bose (Burna's mom) the next day and said, ‘Your son is really special..'"

After that moment, Burna Boy signed to Atlantic Records via Bad Habit and his label, Spaceship. His next album, Outside took him nuclear and he hasn't stopped since.