Bnxn

Bnxn
Also known asBuju, Bujutoyourears, BNXN
Born
Daniel Etiese Benson

(1997-05-14) 14 May 1997
Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2018–present
Labels

Daniel Etiese Benson (born 14 May 1997), known professionally as Bnxn (pronounced "Benson") and formerly known as Buju,[1][2] is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer.[3]

Early life

Daniel Etiese Benson was born in Lagos. He hails from Akwa Ibom State and grew up in Gbagada with his family before relocating to Ogun State.[4] He was introduced to Afropop through Nigerian music artist 2Baba as a child and credits Burna Boy as his inspiration for becoming a musical artist.[5]

Career

Buju released the extended play Sorry I'm Late on 27 October 2021, under the management of T.Y.E/EMPIRE. It featured guest appearances from the Nigerian highlife duo, The Cavemen, and production from Steph, Perlz, Denzl, Timi Jay and Rexxie. It was mixed and mastered by Vtek and Poppil.[6] Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria said that it "projects confidence, wins and 'comfort".[7][8][9] Buju performed his first show in London on 30 November, marking the beginning of his Sorry I'm Late tour.[10]

On 22 December 2021, Buju headlined his first sold-out concert,[11][12] which was also his debut concert in Lagos,[13] held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Lagos.[14]

In 2022, Buju officially changed his name to BNXN to avoid confusion with Buju Banton and having more unique branding.[15] In March 2022, he collaborated with Pheelz on the single "Finesse";[16] the song peaked at number 52 on the UK Official Singles Chart.[17] In July 2022, he featured on the Jae5 song "Propeller" alongside British rapper Dave.[18] The song became Bnxn's first Top 40 single in the United Kingdom, entering the chart at number 38.[19]

On 24 August 2022, Bnxn released an EP titled Bad Since '97. The EP features guest appearances from Wizkid, Olamide and Wande Coal. On 4 September 2022, Bnxn won the Next Rated awards at The Headies 2022, held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.[20]

On 4 October 2023, Bnxn released his debut album, Sincerely, Benson. The album comprises 15 songs, and features guest appearances from Headie One and Popcaan.[21]

In 2024, Bnxn released a collaborative EP with Ruger titled RnB, following a previous feud between the two artists. it comprises seven songs.[22]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Collaborative EP

Singles

Year Title Reference
2018 "Catch a Vibe"
"Wahala"
2019 "Energy"
"Commander"
"Spiritual" (featuring Zlatan) [25]
"L'enu"
"Ohema & TMXO"
2020 "So Lovely"
"Lenu Remix" (featuring Burna Boy) [26]
2021 "Outside" [27]
"Testimony"
"Italy" (featuring Blaq Diamond)
2022 "Kenkele" (featuring Wande Coal) [28]
2025 "Cutesy" [29]
2025 "Very Soon" (with FOLA) [30]
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NG
[31]
US
Global

[32]
UK
[33]
UK
R&B

[34]
UK
Afrobeats

[35]
ZA
[36]
"Feeling"
(Ladipoe featuring Buju)
2021 Providence
"Bling"
(Blaqbonez featuring Amaarae and Buju)
Sex Over Love
"Alubarika"[37]
(Zlatan featuring Buju)
Non-album singles
"Confident"
(Savage featuring Buju)
"Mood"[38]
(Wizkid featuring Buju)
Made in Lagos
"Your Body"[40]
(Basketmouth featuring Buju)
Non-album singles
"Times Two"[41]
(Wani featuring Buju)
"Cold Outside"
(Timaya featuring Buju)
"Sweet Daddy" (Remix)
(Dai Verse featuring Buju)
2022
"Saloo" (Remix)
(Kashcoming featuring Buju)
"Hustle"
(Reminisce featuring Buju and D Smoke)
"Finesse"
(Pheelz featuring Buju)
1 131 52 28 1 31
"Propeller"
(Jae5 featuring Dave and Bnxn)
38
"Ocean"
(B Young featuring Bnxn)
"Pray 2 The East"
(M Huncho featuring Bnxn fka Buju)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2019 The Headies 2020 Rookie Himself Nominated [43]
2020 City People Entertainment Awards Revelation of the Year Himself Won [44]
2021 AFRIMMA African Fan Favourite "Outside" [A] Nominated
AFRIMMA Best Artist or Duo Group Ladipoe featuring Buju – "Feeling" [A] Nominated
AFRIMMA Best African Rapper or Lyricist Ladipoe featuring Buju – "Feeling"[A] Nominated [45]
AFRIMMA Best Promising Artiste "Outside" [A] Nominated [46]
AFRIMMA Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop Blaqbonez – "Bling" featuring Amaarae and Buju) [A] Nominated
2022 Grammy Awards Best Global Music Album Made in Lagos Deluxe Edition by Wizkid Nominated [47]
The Headies 2022 Next Rated Himself Won [48]
Best Rap Single "Feeling" – Ladipoe feat. Bnxn Won [49]
2023 Soundcity MVP Awards Best Collaboration "Finesse" Won [50]

References

  1. ^ Alake, Motolani (4 November 2021). "Mayorkun is shocked that Buju's name is Daniel Benson". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  2. ^ Edeme, Victoria (18 February 2021). "Singer Buju changes stage name to 'BNXN'". The Punch. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  3. ^ Alake, Motolani (26 May 2021). "Burna Boy, Joeboy, Omah Lay, Buju, Tems emerge as part of the most-streamed artists in the world on Audiomack". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Bnxn Biography, Networth and Everything You Need To Know". HonesTunes. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  5. ^ "INTERVIEW: BNXN". TIRADE WORLD. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ Alake, Motolani (28 October 2021). "Buju releases 7-track sophomore EP, 'Sorry I'm Late'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  7. ^ Alake, Motolani (29 October 2021). "Buju's Sorry I'm Late projects confidence, wins and 'comfort' [Pulse EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  8. ^ Lady, Boss (30 March 2022). "BNXN (Buju) – For Days". Entmediahub. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  9. ^ 234hit (30 March 2022). "Kilometer (Remix) (feat Zinoleesky)". 234Hit. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Pulse Mix (7 December 2021). "BUJU thrills fans in London as he kick-starts his". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  11. ^ Lawore, Mutiat (13 November 2021). "Buju debut concert". The Sun. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  12. ^ Falade, Tomi (13 November 2021). "Buju Announces First Major Concert In Lagos". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  13. ^ Okeke, Ifeoma (14 November 2021). "Buju debut concert 'Sorry I'm late' to hold in Lagos". Business Day. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Buju to shut down Balmoral Convection centre this Wednesday December". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  15. ^ Daily, Trust (2 May 2022). "Would Buju Tyre's Fame Survive The Change Of His Name To BNXN?". Daily Trust.
  16. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (18 March 2022). "Pheelz and Bnxn's 'Finesse' is Utterly Cool — and Breaking Through Globally". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Pheelz & Buju - Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  18. ^ Keith, James (29 July 2022). "JAE5 Calls On Dave & BNXN For Summer Groover "Propeller"". Complex UK. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  19. ^ "JAE5 ft Dave and Bnxn - Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Headies: Bnxn Bags Next Rated Award, Gets 2022 Bentley [Full List Of Winners]". Daily Trust. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  21. ^ "BNXN Delivers His Much-Anticipated Album 'Sincerely, Benson' - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Ruger & BNXN's 'RnB' is an anticlimactic end to their rift". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  23. ^ 15seclyrics.com (3 July 2025). "Bnxn - CAPTAIN Lyrics and Tracklist". 15seclyrics. Retrieved 3 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Lady, Boss (27 October 2021). "Buju – Sorry I'm Late". ENT Media Hub. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  25. ^ Ade Peter, Dennis (9 August 2021). "BUJU FEATURES ZLATAN ON NEW SINGLE, "SPIRITUAL"". The Native. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  26. ^ African Music, Pan (17 July 2020). "Nigerian Afro fusion artist Buju invites Burna Boy on "Lenu Remix" music video". Pan African Music. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  27. ^ Alake, Motolani (20 May 2021). "Did Buju hint at an exit from Burna Boy's label on new single, 'Outside'?". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  28. ^ Emmanuel, Stanley (8 July 2022). "Bnxn Ft Wande Coal - Kenkele". Baze 9. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  29. ^ Elmalawx (8 May 2025). "Bnxn (Buju) - Cutesy Mp3 Download". Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Review: BNXN and Fola Reignite Their Spark on the Soulful "Very Soon"". TheNet. 5 June 2025.
  31. ^ "TurnTable Top 50: Pheelz & BNXN's "Finesse" Rises To No.1". The Native. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  33. ^ "PHEELZ & BUJU | full Official Chart History". www.officialcharts.com. Official Charts. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 14-2022". TOSAC. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  37. ^ Adekanye, Modupeoluwa (6 August 2021). "Listen: Zlatan Features Buju In New Single "Alubarika"". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  38. ^ Bassey, Ekaete (2 August 2021). "Buju links up with Wizkid, others days after public outrage". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  39. ^ a b "British certifications – Bnxn". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 August 2024. Type Bnxn in the "Search:" field.
  40. ^ Admin (10 October 2021). "Basketmouth flexes muscle, taps BUJU in new single, "Your Body"". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  41. ^ Guardian Life (23 July 2021). "WANI RELEASES "TIMES TWO" FT BUJU AHEAD "LAGOS CITY VICE II" EP". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  42. ^ "British certifications – Pheelz". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 January 2023. Type Pheelz in the "Search:" field.
  43. ^ "Headies Award 2019: Nominees and Winners". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  44. ^ Reporter (7 December 2020). "WINNERS EMERGE AT 2020 CITY PEOPLE MUSIC AWARDS [FULL LIST]". City People Magazine. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  45. ^ Milimo, Dennis (6 October 2021). "List of Nominees for the 2021 AFRIMMA Awards (Full List)". Pulse Kenya. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  46. ^ "Afrima Nominations 2021 Full list of nominees both Nigerians, oda Africans artists". BBC Pidgin. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Buju [BNXN] Latest Songs 2022". abokimusik.com. 23 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  48. ^ "HEADIES 2022: Wizkid makes history as BNXN wins Next Rated (FULL WINNERS LIST)". Premium Times. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  49. ^ "Wizkid & Tems Are Top Winners at 2022 Headies Awards Full WinnersList". Billboard. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  50. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.