Buju, now known professionally as BNXN, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, and record producer born Daniel Etiese Benson on 14 May 1997 in Lagos. He changed his stage name from Buju to BNXN in February 2022 to avoid confusion with Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton and to build a more distinctive brand identity.
Who Is Buju (BNXN)?
Buju, whose real name is Daniel Etiese Benson, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for Afro-fusion music. He rose to prominence in the Nigerian music scene through hit singles including Spiritual, Lenu, Outside, and Finesse.
He is widely recognised as one of the most featured vocalists in contemporary Afrobeats, known for his smooth, melodic vocal style and his ability to write memorable choruses for collaborators.
What Is Buju’s Real Name and Age?
Buju’s real name is Daniel Etiese Benson, and he was born on 14 May 1997, making him 28 years old as of 2025. His current stage name, BNXN, is pronounced “Benson” and is derived directly from his surname.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real name | Daniel Etiese Benson |
| Stage name (current) | BNXN |
| Stage name (former) | Buju |
| Date of birth | 14 May 1997 |
| Age (2025) | 28 |
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| State of origin | Akwa Ibom State |
| Genres | Afro-fusion, Afrobeats |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 2018 to present |
His original stage name, Buju, was an acronym standing for “Beauty Underneath Just Understood.”
Where Is Buju From?
Buju was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but his family originates from Akwa Ibom State in the South-South region of the country. He grew up in the Gbagada area of Lagos before his family later relocated to Ogun State.
Although some sources have mistakenly identified him as Yoruba, Buju is not Yoruba by ethnicity. He speaks fluent Yoruba due to his upbringing in Lagos and because his late mother spoke the language with him during his childhood, but his heritage traces to Akwa Ibom, home to ethnic groups including the Ibibio, Annang, Oron, and Obolo.
What Is Buju’s Educational Background?
Buju attended private primary and secondary schools in Lagos before earning a degree from Babcock University in Ogun State. His family background provided access to quality education throughout his childhood and early adulthood.
While at university, he continued to develop his music under an earlier stage name, Drizzle, refining his sound before adopting the Buju identity that would later bring him national recognition.
How Did Buju Start His Music Career?
Buju’s music career began to gain traction after a freestyle recording of his went viral online, catching the attention of rapper Zlatan Ibile. Zlatan later invited him to record a verse, which resulted in the song Spiritual, released in 2019 and widely credited as his breakout moment.
3 key influences shaped Buju’s early musical direction:
- 2Baba: Introduced him to Afropop as a child, shaping his early appreciation for Nigerian popular music.
- Burna Boy: Cited by Buju as his primary inspiration for pursuing music as a career.
- Fela Kuti: A foundational Afrobeat influence that shaped his broader musical sensibility.
Following the success of Spiritual, Buju released L’Enu in 2020, featuring Burna Boy, which further elevated his profile in the Nigerian music industry. He was subsequently signed to Burna Boy’s Spaceship Collective in 2020, giving him a larger platform and access to a wider audience.
What Are Buju’s Most Popular Songs?
Buju’s most streamed and recognised songs include Spiritual, Lenu, Outside, Finesse, and Gwagwalada. His catalogue spans collaborations with several major names in Nigerian and international music.
| Song | Collaborator | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual | Zlatan | 2019 |
| Lenu | Burna Boy | 2020 |
| Finesse | Pheelz | 2022 |
| Feeling | Ladipoe | — |
| Kenkele | Wande Coal | — |
| Italy | Blaq Diamond | — |
Finesse, released with Pheelz in March 2022, reached number 52 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, marking a significant milestone for his international reach.
What Is Buju’s Discography?
Buju released his debut EP, Sorry I’m Late, on 27 October 2021 under the management of T.Y.E/EMPIRE. The project featured guest appearances from Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen and production from Steph, Perlz, Denzl, Timi Jay, and Rexxie.
The EP was mixed and mastered by Vtek and Poppil and received strong critical reception. Nigerian music journalist Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria noted that the project projects confidence and a sense of comfort in the artist’s evolving sound.
Following the release of Sorry I’m Late, Buju embarked on a supporting tour, opening with a performance in London on 30 November 2021. He headlined his first sold-out show and Lagos debut on 22 December 2021 at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos.
In 2024, BNXN released a joint EP titled R&B with fellow Nigerian singer Ruger. The 7-track project arrived despite a previously public feud between the 2 artists and showcased their combined musical chemistry.
Why Did Buju Change His Name to BNXN?
Buju officially changed his stage name to BNXN on 18 February 2022 to avoid confusion with Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton and to establish more distinctive personal branding. The name BNXN is derived from his surname, Benson, and is pronounced the same way.
The rebrand allowed him to build an identity clearly separate from an established international artist sharing the same stage name, while retaining a direct link to his own family name.
What Awards Has Buju (BNXN) Won?
Buju won The Headies Award for Next Rated in 2022, one of the most significant honours in Nigerian music for an emerging artist. The Headies is widely regarded as Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards ceremony.
This recognition came during a period of rapid growth in his career, following the release of Sorry I’m Late and his increasing collaborations with major Nigerian and international artists.
What Is Buju’s Net Worth?
Buju’s (BNXN’s) net worth is estimated at approximately $400,000, primarily generated through streaming royalties, live performances, endorsement deals, and collaborations. No official figure has been publicly confirmed by the artist himself.
Reports indicate that he charges between $5,000 and $7,000 per performance, reflecting his standing as an established figure within Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene.
What Is Buju’s Personal Life Like?
Buju’s mother passed away from cancer during his youth, a loss that significantly shaped his early drive toward pursuing music professionally. Before her death, she spoke Yoruba to him, which contributed to his fluency in the language despite his Akwa Ibom heritage.
BNXN currently resides in a luxury apartment in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. He is not currently married and has remained private about his relationship status, choosing to keep his personal life largely separate from his public career.
He maintains an active presence on social media, where he regularly engages with fans and shares updates related to his music and career milestones.
Is Buju Still Active in Music?
Yes. BNXN, formerly known as Buju, remains an active recording artist and continues to release new music and collaborate with major names in Nigerian and international Afrobeats. His 2024 joint project with Ruger demonstrated his continued relevance and willingness to collaborate even following past industry tensions.
From his early viral freestyle moment to his current standing as one of Afrobeats’ most consistently featured vocalists, Buju’s trajectory reflects a steady rise built on collaboration, distinctive vocal style, and consistent output since his professional debut in 2018.
