Fat Joe Claims Pressure Led Nigerian Singer BNXN to Drop “Buju” Name Over Buju Banton Dispute

American rapper Fat Joe has claimed that Nigerian singer BNXN, formerly known as Buju, changed his stage name after facing pressure from industry figures over the use of the name “Buju”.

Fat Joe made the comments during a podcast appearance alongside Jamaican dancehall icon Buju Banton, where the discussion turned to naming rights and respect in the music industry.

According to Fat Joe, the backlash against the Nigerian artist stemmed from concerns that the name “Buju” was too closely associated with Buju Banton, a veteran figure in Jamaican music. He suggested that industry pressure ultimately forced the change.

“There is a fake guy in Africa using the Buju name, we dissed him on TV, shut him down, he changed his name. I told him there is only one Buju Banton,” Fat Joe said during the interview.

Buju Banton, in the same conversation, explained that his stage name carries personal meaning. He said it originated from his mother, while “Banton” was added in honour of a Jamaican DJ he admired.

“My name came from my mom. Then I added Banton due to my admiration,” he said, noting that many artists adopt names differently, either from family or creative inspiration.

BNXN, formerly known as Buju, initially rose to prominence under that name before rebranding. The Nigerian artist later adopted “BNXN” amid reports of naming disputes and potential copyright concerns.

The discussion highlights ongoing tensions in global music branding, where stage names can carry cultural significance, legal implications, and commercial value across different markets.