Nigerian hip-hop artist Phenom has shared that Burna Boy received a substantial $5 million advance payment before signing a recording deal with the American record label Atlantic Records in 2017.

According to Phenom, Matthew ‘Baus’ Adesuyan, the Nigerian-American music executive who owns Bad Habit, an imprint of Atlantic Records, facilitated this significant payment.

Phenom revealed these details during the latest episode of The Yarns podcast. Additionally, he expressed his own willingness to return to rapping if presented with a $1 million advance payment offer from any record label.

He said, “If you really want someone like me to rap, give me $1 million. Lock me up in the studio. Those rapping in America, they [music executives] give them big contracts. Even before Burna Boy made a comeback to music, the guy that gave him the connection to Atlantic Records [Matthew ‘Baus’ Adesuyan], they gave him [Burna Boy] $5 million when he was coming back.”

Phenom has suggested that thriving rappers like Odumodublvck may eventually transition from rapping to singing, citing the perception that hip-hop is no longer as financially rewarding.

This observation reflects a trend where artists explore different genres and styles based on perceived market trends and commercial viability in the music industry.

“If someone like Odumodublvck is given $100,000 advance by his label, he will have to drop rap, start singing and enter TikTok to make it back for the label,” he said.