US rapper Fat Joe has claimed he played a role in Afrobeats singer BNXN changing his stage name from Buju, saying his public criticism contributed to the decision.
Fat Joe made the remarks during a podcast appearance, where he described BNXN as “a fake guy using the Buju name,” referencing the similarity to Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton.
He alleged that after addressing the issue publicly during a televised appearance, the Nigerian artist eventually changed his stage name.
BNXN adopted the new name in 2022, though he did not publicly state that external pressure influenced the decision. He previously explained that “Buju” had personal and cultural meaning to him before rebranding.
Fat Joe also reiterated his view that the original “Buju” identity belongs to Buju Banton, and criticised what he described as misuse of the name in global music spaces.