heh I can imagine that. But I'm curious: what kind of set-up did he use? was this in DC? what venue?
― rob, Saturday, 1 December 2018 15:58 (five years ago) link
either Ye or Sekkle Down
― galaxy brian (voodoo chili), Saturday, 1 December 2018 15:59 (five years ago) link
I tend to think the first half is >>> the second, but Giddem's Dire Straits meet Sly and Robbie vibe really stood out on a recent listen
― rob, Saturday, 1 December 2018 16:06 (five years ago) link
the only ye I recognise
― single bed mentality (||||||||), Saturday, 1 December 2018 16:17 (five years ago) link
definitely the best Kanye-related news of 2018
― rob, Saturday, 1 December 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
I saw Burna Boy at the Howard Theatre in DC and he had a band plus used backing tracks at times. He didn’t seem that into performing the songs. He held the mic out to the crowd for more time than I have seen anyone do so. When I saw Yemi Alade there another time , she danced, sang, engaged the crowd. It was great. I saw Serge Beynaud live in Maryland once. Just he & dancers and backing tracks. But Serge was charismatic and the dancers were great, so that was better than Burns live too. I still like Burna Boy’s album though.
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 1 December 2018 17:07 (five years ago) link
One of the best albums of the year, for sure. It’s between “PH City Vibration” and “Ye” for me, I think (I’m not counting “Rock Your Body” - too familiar as a 2017 hit already). I also have a soft spot for “Streets of Africa”, annoying nursery rhyme and all.The two pre-album tasters that didn’t make it to the album, “Gba” and “Deja Vu”, would have been contenders too.
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 2 December 2018 17:38 (five years ago) link
btw rob, I know you know “Ye”’s popularity isn’t just to do with the Kanye factor: https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/some-nigerians-want-burna-boys-ye-to-be-the-national-anthem-id8438414.html
Thanks for that link--I was def worried I was overstating the "ye" effect (kind of an occupational hazard as I've been researching the effect of algorithmic recommendations on culture), but tbh I wasn't exactly sure what accounted for that being such a breakout hit.
I find Streets charmingly goofy as well. I can't remember if I've heard "Gba" or "Deja Vu" (will do so shortly) but follow-up single "Gbona" deserves mention here--it could have been added seamlessly.
― rob, Sunday, 2 December 2018 18:44 (five years ago) link
For me it's probably something like 1) Ph City 2) Ye 3) Koni Baje. 4) Rock your Body. 5) Lily Allen. I don't really listen to the others.
― Nabozo, Sunday, 2 December 2018 19:13 (five years ago) link
xp There’s also current hit “On The Low”. I felt it was a step down from “Gbona” at first, but I’ve fallen for it hard this weekend.
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 2 December 2018 20:03 (five years ago) link
gbona is amazing... i love how supple his beats are
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 2 December 2018 22:08 (five years ago) link
ph city insane also
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 2 December 2018 22:20 (five years ago) link
Voting calm down because it hasn't been mentioned yet and I love it
― just sayin, Sunday, 2 December 2018 22:44 (five years ago) link
Calm Down is awesome, probably the biggest surprise production-wise on first listen, somehow there's a lot going on while it also being really elegant (<-- maybe applies to the whole album). I should look up the credits for this
― rob, Monday, 3 December 2018 01:08 (five years ago) link
also I assume "Outside" won't get a vote but I love that closing couplet
― rob, Monday, 3 December 2018 01:11 (five years ago) link
this is my aoty and Calm Down is easily my most listened to song since whenever this released. not a song on here i dont like. easy album to get lost in.
― Spottie, Monday, 3 December 2018 02:58 (five years ago) link
calm down kinda reminds me of right side of my brain off of love vs money. predominant layered vocals being used to create something really immersive, and def both standout outliers on their respective albums.
― Spottie, Monday, 3 December 2018 03:04 (five years ago) link
the kinda mournful sax on "rock your body" is so dope
― J0rdan S., Monday, 3 December 2018 05:48 (five years ago) link
Went with ye cause it’s undeniable, but the whole thing is good, yes.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Monday, 3 December 2018 07:28 (five years ago) link
“Calm Down” was produced by Jae5, just like “Sekkle Down” with J Hus (obviously).xps to rob
― breastcrawl, Monday, 3 December 2018 08:36 (five years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Thursday, 6 December 2018 00:01 (five years ago) link
voted Ph City since it grabbed me earliest
― rob, Thursday, 6 December 2018 00:04 (five years ago) link
Ph City is amazing but the one I've played most is the Lily Allen one so that
― Scritti Vanilli - The Word Girl You Know It's True (dog latin), Thursday, 6 December 2018 00:51 (five years ago) link
I love that one
― Spottie, Thursday, 6 December 2018 01:48 (five years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Friday, 7 December 2018 00:01 (five years ago) link
Meant to make up my mind about this yesterday, but then I forgot. Would very likely have voted for “PH City” as well, so it wouldn’t have affected the result.Does this mean we now know ILM has a core of 12/13 Afropop aficionados, or is there a higher ceiling?
― breastcrawl, Friday, 7 December 2018 08:37 (five years ago) link
that sounds about right. There are a few people who post to the rolling thread but didn't here (ufo, kreuzer 2, sean gramophone). I'm curious if deej or Matt DC are into this one?
― rob, Friday, 7 December 2018 13:19 (five years ago) link
i’ve still only heard individual singles from this but thanks for making a thread y’all, i’m gonna finally check it out today
― jolene club remix (BradNelson), Friday, 7 December 2018 13:28 (five years ago) link
it didn't click for me when i gave it a listen earlier in the year but i'll give it another try seeing all the enthusiasm for it here
― ufo, Friday, 7 December 2018 13:32 (five years ago) link
real curious to hear yall's thoughts
― rob, Friday, 7 December 2018 13:42 (five years ago) link
quite a few more listens later and i can confirm it's pretty good! jae5 has to be one of my favourite producers in the world at the moment between all of his work with j hus and the tracks he produced on this, and "calm down" is definitely my favourite track on this - those "do-do-doos" are sublime
― ufo, Sunday, 16 December 2018 10:47 (five years ago) link
New Burna single, “Dangote”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3P1LxraqwE(produced by Kel P, just like “Gbona” and “On The Low”)
I also like “My Baby”, his track on the new R2Bees album:https://youtu.be/MdvSJxab6sM
...and this Afro-dancehall track:https://youtu.be/bdn6H2d3gVM
Oritse Femi ft. Burna Boy & Konshens • Play Am
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 2 March 2019 17:26 (five years ago) link
Dangote is really nice! I listened to Play Am the other day and didn't care for it, but now I can't remember why
― rob, Saturday, 2 March 2019 21:22 (five years ago) link
yeah "dangote" is great
― ufo, Sunday, 3 March 2019 02:49 (five years ago) link
Video for “Dangote”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPy1jvOp90
Read all about it.
― breastcrawl, Friday, 22 March 2019 08:13 (five years ago) link
...and a brand new EP with US producer duo DJDS, out today:https://www.okayafrica.com/listen-burna-boy-djds-new-joint-ep-steel-and-copper.amp
― breastcrawl, Friday, 22 March 2019 08:14 (five years ago) link
Hm I only really liked "Darko" off that. The first two tracks are generic/dark, and "Thuggin" could grow on me, but it doesn't exactly alleviate the sluggish feeling of those openers
― rob, Friday, 22 March 2019 13:32 (five years ago) link
Yeah, I wasn’t feeling that at all on a first listen.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 22 March 2019 16:32 (five years ago) link
Same here - and a few listens in already.I think I would be a lot more interested in US/UK/etc (r&b/rap) artists working with African producers. (I think Legendury Beatz have done some work in the UK, but instead of bringing something new to the table they have played it very safe in order to blend in iirc)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 22 March 2019 16:55 (five years ago) link
(instead of the other way around, if that wasn’t clear)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 22 March 2019 17:01 (five years ago) link
yeah I agree with that--Burna's not bad on it or anything but the gloomy setting makes him sound like an off-brand Future. I listened to Dangote afterwards and the production with the guitars and sax was immediately so much more appealing
― rob, Friday, 22 March 2019 17:19 (five years ago) link
Double-posting with the Rolling Afropop thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so4dgTRaWFkBurna Boy • Anybody
(the low-key lush production is by Rexxie, who’s moving up a level here)
(video is top notch too)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 14 June 2019 22:07 (four years ago) link
New album African Giant out on July 26th.
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 10 July 2019 20:09 (four years ago) link
"anybody" is awesome, he has such great taste in production
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 10 July 2019 22:53 (four years ago) link
Great news! (though I’m majorly behind on the afrothread)Anybody is superb. Dangote has become a big favorite over the course of the year
― rob, Wednesday, 10 July 2019 23:39 (four years ago) link
album will reportedly include "Anybody", "On The Low", "Gbona", and "Dangote" so sounds promising
― ufo, Thursday, 11 July 2019 02:03 (four years ago) link
yeah if you go on apple music those 4 are playable in the album already
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 11 July 2019 03:11 (four years ago) link
For the record: as noted on the Afropop thread, “Anybody” was produced by P2J, not by Rexxie. Are any other track titles (or featured artists!) visible in Apple Music as well?
― breastcrawl, Thursday, 11 July 2019 07:00 (four years ago) link
it's 20 tracks but the rest don't have titles listed yet
― ufo, Thursday, 11 July 2019 07:16 (four years ago) link
every layer of production in "secret" is exquisite
― american bradass (BradNelson), Tuesday, 30 July 2019 16:40 (four years ago) link
I agree with the consensus that AG is more confident & cohesive, and it's exciting that this more-rooted-in-the-local album represents such a leveling up and is getting attention. But, idk it's a little premature to reevaluate Outside, no? It's likely I'll end up agreeing that AG>>>Outside, but I'm barely familiar with the non-singles yet.
that said, I do hope this creates some space for Wizkid to put out an equally uncompromised album
― rob, Tuesday, 30 July 2019 16:42 (four years ago) link
If the accounts I’ve seen about Made in Lagos are to be believed, he will. (The endless postponing is getting me nervous tho.)
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 30 July 2019 16:50 (four years ago) link
i don't know if the superlative chill of african giant is really compatible with the pre-existing level of stress i am planning on maintaining in my day-to-day existence this year
― j., Wednesday, 31 July 2019 04:57 (four years ago) link
Listening to the song w Future is making me think that perhaps the way Future uses his voice might have set an example for Burna and been instrumental in allowing him to slow down, open up and relax more and more over the past five years. I remember thinking that there was a slight constriction to his voice and subject matter (so many songs about how his enemies were trying to hold him back on that first album!) when I started listening to him around 2013-14 that... well... held him back a little. He was always great but he sings with so much more authority now than he used to do. There are obviously other things going on w regards to this point of a more local nature (plus, he got older), and also some very big differences between the two, but once I heard it I couldn't quite unhear it either.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 13:16 (four years ago) link
On the one hand, I can hear that, especially on the slower tracks and yes, in terms of subject matter at times. On the other, I think Future sounds out of place on his track--maybe I'll come around with a few more listens, but I think a Jamaican or UK artist would have fit in better (might also be influenced by it being Dre Skull and possibly Popcaan saying "woi-yo").
I'm reluctant to make this point because it's feels blinkered for a non-Nigerian to hear this, but the comparison that comes to my mind the most is Fela. Definitely not on every track, but when he gets throatier (not to mention political) it strikes me as the best possible kind of influence, not copying or paying homage, just tapping into how FK used his voice. For me, it's a noticeable part of the "authority" you mentioned.
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 13:59 (four years ago) link
Yeah, that was mostly what I was referring to w "obviously other things going on w regards to this point of a more local nature" but I would add Fela filtered through the crossover success of Ojuelegba with its Fela leanings but also decidedly un-Fela vocals, lol. It's like a lane opened up for Burna and he decided to go for it. At least that's how I hear it.
And idk, I think Future sounds good on that track.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:24 (four years ago) link
Both American rappers sound kind of incongruous to me, but ftr not "bad" just not as organic as the other features. That might be because they're at the end of the album though, and I haven't absorbed it yet--I could well come around.
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:31 (four years ago) link
I don’t think it’s controversial to say Burna’s been influenced by Fela - case in point:https://medium.com/@chibueze/how-many-times-has-burna-boy-sampled-his-idol-and-grandfathers-friend-fela-let-s-count-2587a78c89e6
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:34 (four years ago) link
Oh yeah didn't mean to imply it was controversial, more just a "listens to Nigerian music once" kinda observation to make
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:36 (four years ago) link
And a review of the album by renowned Nigerian music writer Joey Akan for The FADER.
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:37 (four years ago) link
xp
well, just a follow-up post really
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:38 (four years ago) link
...once, twice, three times a Fela...
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 14:39 (four years ago) link
wait, Skrillex produced Show & Tell? I swear I heard Dre Skull's producer tag on that. I cannot find a good source for credits for this though
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 15:26 (four years ago) link
Def stepping into something I don't know enough about to comment on, but while I get Gaddafi is a much more complicated figure than the Western view of him would suggest, including him in a list of "greatest leaders" with Mandela and Fela is kind of wild, especially if you're going to question Burna's politics on the back of "Dangote".
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 15:32 (four years ago) link
Lol, I didn't catch that! [DJ Drama] Proble-MATIC! [/DJ Drama]That is definitely the sort of thing that an artist might get away with but a critic at the Fader shouldn't.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:12 (four years ago) link
You’re both right:
New one for Burna and Future 🚀🚀 https://t.co/rYe7WW1KEs— Dre Skull (@dreskull) July 25, 2019
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:18 (four years ago) link
xxp
ah-ha and thank you
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:20 (four years ago) link
I’m having trouble finding/establishing the credits as well. “Destiny” was produced by DJDS apparently, of that Steel & Copper EP that dropped earlier this year.
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:34 (four years ago) link
Both American rappers sound kind of incongruous to me, but ftr not "bad" just not as organic as the other features.
― rob, Wednesday, July 31, 2019 10:31 AM (two hours ago)
maybe worth noting that a big part of this is the...remarkable way YG pronounces bumbaclaat lmao
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:47 (four years ago) link
Yg and future are kind of boring guests imo.. love the Jeremih /serani though
― ILX’s bad boy (D-40), Wednesday, 31 July 2019 17:16 (four years ago) link
Yeah that one is rad, Jorja is good, Kidjo is awesome, Marley is fine if you don't listen too hard to the lyrics. As mentioned I love the Blak Ryno thing, Zlatan is great though that's not surprising since that was originally released as Zlatan f. Burna Boy. I'd never heard of M.anifest before but that song is excellent.
The Hannah Giorgis piece in the atlantic mentioned that BB loves Koffee so hopefully their mutual admiration will result in something soon. The Fader piece said he's dating Stefflon Don, which is news to me and I'm a little surprised they haven't collaborated if that is the case.
― rob, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 17:34 (four years ago) link
I’m a bit surprised that Koffee collab didn’t happen in time for this album. I love the track with M.anifest too (he’s a veteran in the GH rap scene, but I haven’t listened to him much).
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 17:47 (four years ago) link
Not a collab, but “Spiritual” is one of my faves of the new tracks.
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 31 July 2019 17:49 (four years ago) link
the song w/ future is dope mostly bcuz it might be burna's best rapping on the album -- "rollie that's a bustdown it's full of diamonds / it don't tell the time but it's 80 thousand" -- but future feels patched in. i can't even remember anything about YG's part. one of the reasons this album is good is bcuz the token crossover guests are tacked onto already good songs in ways that feel superfluous at worst but not really detracting in any real way
― J0rdan S., Wednesday, 31 July 2019 18:24 (four years ago) link
“Pull Up” has snuck up on me, it’s on autoplay in my head now. Btw, it’s not even the first Kel P-produced “Pull Up” with Dilemma sample that Burna was involved in this year:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecc_6DLTrtITimaya ft. Burna Boy • Pull Up
― breastcrawl, Thursday, 1 August 2019 20:04 (four years ago) link
yeah my wife plays Pull Up a lot
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Thursday, 1 August 2019 20:07 (four years ago) link
The album has entered the UK album charts at 16 this week, and the Dutch charts at 12. Some kind of milestone for sure.
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 4 August 2019 14:44 (four years ago) link
i’m in the middle of the streethow did i ever let you leave oh nowhy did i drink this hennessey
― J0rdan S., Sunday, 4 August 2019 17:37 (four years ago) link
Relatable imo
― Tim F, Sunday, 4 August 2019 22:08 (four years ago) link
i guess he and jorja swapped featureshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQsZUVMwEls
still listening to african giant m/l daily
― big city slam (Spottie), Tuesday, 20 August 2019 19:01 (four years ago) link
visuals for Pull Uphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMyrBds_9Zc
― big city slam (Spottie), Wednesday, 21 August 2019 16:26 (four years ago) link
This album rules. Serani on “Secret” makes me delirious
― rob, Friday, 23 August 2019 00:06 (four years ago) link
yeah that hook is undeniable
― big city slam (Spottie), Friday, 23 August 2019 00:34 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7k0EBwu8g8
― jakey mo collier (voodoo chili), Friday, 30 August 2019 17:24 (four years ago) link
Another video, this time for “Gum Body” with Jorja Smitj:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN2J9i5B6Ac
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 10 September 2019 16:53 (four years ago) link
best hook of the year
― big city slam (Spottie), Tuesday, 10 September 2019 17:17 (four years ago) link
Video for “Another Story” with M.anifest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXbWwR4rSmY
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 1 October 2019 14:58 (four years ago) link
There's a sound in the 'Anybody" mix that sounds like a 'email sent' notification in outlook so whenever i listen i have a weird visceral reaction. still my fav song of the year tho
― de-mamba mentality (Spottie), Friday, 15 November 2019 20:56 (four years ago) link
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/18/779548274/burna-boy-tiny-desk-concert
― de-mamba mentality (Spottie), Monday, 18 November 2019 17:09 (four years ago) link
so good
― J0rdan S., Tuesday, 19 November 2019 06:51 (four years ago) link
tiny desk up on YouTube now. so good
― tony blair electric chair (||||||||), Tuesday, 26 November 2019 18:20 (four years ago) link
he's pretty disengaged from the crowd, not even a nod or smile of acknowledgement. he still delivered tho. that backup singer is a star.
― de-mamba mentality (Spottie), Tuesday, 26 November 2019 18:38 (four years ago) link
HOLY SHIT this is amazing
― rob, Sunday, 1 December 2019 15:35 (four years ago) link
time for a dedicated thread:here comes the AFRICAN GIANT / Burna Boy (2019)
― rob, Sunday, 1 December 2019 15:48 (four years ago) link