From Viral Sleeping Scandal to Empty Seats: Burna Boy Cancels Multiple Shows Over Low Sales

In the aftermath of a now-viral video showing Burna Boy stopping a concert to eject a fan who appeared to be sleeping, reports indicate that the fallout has been swift and severe. Allegedly, several significant dates on his ongoing No Sign of Weakness Tour (NSOW Tour) have been quietly cancelled, as ticket sales reportedly plummeted. 

What happened: the “sleeping-fan” incident hits a nerve

During his show at a U.S. arena on November 12, 2025, Burna Boy abruptly halted the performance following what he described as a fan sleeping in the front row, demanding that the woman and her companion leave before he resumed. 

The video clip quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking widespread criticism. Many saw the act as demeaning to a paying fan, calling into question the balance between the artist’s expectations and the fan’s respect. 

In the days following, some ticket buyers accused him of alienating supporters; others tempered their reactions, suggesting that audience energy is part of the live-show experience. 

From controversy to cancellations: the ripple effect

According to multiple entertainment news outlets, five arena dates on the NSOW Tour have reportedly been removed from the schedule, supposedly due to low ticket demand. Organisers allegedly chose to quietly take these dates off, rather than publicly link the cancellations to the controversy. 

At one of his subsequent shows in Dallas, Burna Boy offered an apology: “I’m sorry, please. I apologise to everyone, it was a slip of the tongue,” in reference to his remarks after the Denver incident. 

Mixed reactions and shifting loyalties

While some fans remain supportive, arguing he has a right to demand respect during shows, many others feel alienated. Critics argued that paying for a ticket should guarantee dignity, not public humiliation. 

Moreover, the cancellations and reduced sales suggest that the backlash isn’t just reputational, it’s costing money. One entertainment outlet noted that the decision to scrap dates might reflect a calculation that continuing with those markets was no longer financially viable. 

Why this matters beyond a cancelled gig

This situation at hand for Burna Boy is more than a tour hiccup. It points to his character as a person and the larger tensions between artists, their expectations of live audiences, and fan loyalty:

A viral moment, a few seconds of on-stage drama, can now have an outsized impact on ticket sales and tour viability. It raises questions about how “audience standards” are policed and whether such policing is compatible with mass appeal in large markets.

From an industry standpoint, promoters and artists may need to reassess how they build live experiences that don’t alienate paying fans while still delivering high-energy performances.

For Burna Boy, the road ahead may now be more cautious. As the dust settles, how he handles the remainder of the tour, possibly issues a proper apology, devoid of pride and arrogance, and adjusts his on-stage expectations could determine whether this becomes a short-lived scandal or a lasting crack in his global draw.