Burna Boy Cancels US Tour and Apologises After Backlash Over ‘Sleeping Woman’ Incident
Afrobeats star apologises following weeks of criticism as low ticket sales force remaining US dates to be scrapped.
Burna Boy has cancelled the remaining dates of his US tour after weeks of backlash stemming from the now-viral incident involving a sleeping fan. The Grammy-winning afrobeats artist went viral earlier this month after asking security to escort Chaltu Jateny out of his show when he spotted her asleep in the crowd.
Jateny later explained on TikTok that she had been struggling with severe sleep deprivation following the death of her daughter’s father, saying she felt ‘humiliated’ by the musician’s reaction.
The controversy overshadowed the tour, with footage from later concerts showing visibly thinner crowds despite claims from attendees that some venues eventually filled up.
Facing growing criticism, Burna Boy addressed the incident both on stage and on social media. At a Dallas show, he briefly apologised to the audience, describing it as a ‘slip of tongue.’
He later issued a longer statement on Instagram, saying his concerts often include people who have ‘overcame something very serious,’ adding that he would ‘gladly be cancelled’ if fans expected him to accept disrespect.
The artist concluded by saying, ‘I sincerely apologise if I’m wrong… I’m just human,’ prompting a mixed response from listeners. Some defended him, while others said the moment revealed a lack of empathy.
Facing growing criticism, Burna Boy addressed the incident both on stage and on social media. At a Dallas show, he briefly apologised to the audience, describing it as a ‘slip of tongue.’
‘I’m Sorry, Guys’- Burna Boy Issues Public Apology Amid Tour Cancellations
- Burna Boy has issued a public apology to his fans during a live performance in Texas, stating that his previous controversial remarks were a “slip of the tongue.”
- The apology followed widespread backlash, reports of low ticket sales, and the cancellation of several U.S. tour dates after an incident where the artist requested the removal of a sleeping female fan from the front row during his Denver show.
- Nigerian music superstar and Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy has issued a public apology to fans during a live performance, following reports of low ticket sales and widespread backlash over a controversial incident at one of his U.S. concerts.
The controversy began at his Denver, Colorado, show when he reportedly noticed a female fan asleep in the front row and requested her removal, threatening to cut the concert short if she was not escorted out. This moment, captured on video, sparked heated reactions online.
Following the online uproar, Burna Boy cancelled a number of tour dates, including shows scheduled in Minneapolis (November 28, 2025) and Chicago (December 1, 2025).
During a recent performance in Texas, Burna Boy directly addressed the controversy, expressing regret and attempting to mend relations with his fanbase
