"I Told Them..." by Burna Boy
A mainstream crossover coronation fit for an Afropop king.
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Welcome to a new edition of the Daily Music Picks newsletter!
Today’s music pick marks Burna Boy’s official arrival into the mainstream, and it’s a party fit for an Afropop king.
Genre: Afrobeat, R&B
Label: Atlantic
Release Date: August 24, 2023
Vibe: 💃
I Told Them… is a fascinating multipurpose LP from Burna Boy, arguably today's most prominent and influential voice on the Afropop scene. Equal parts victory lap and crossover vehicle, it catches Burna at the nexus of having little to prove but many sold-left arenas the size of his record-setting London Stadium gig still left to conquer. As a result, he positions himself as both David and Goliath, quick to let the haters know they underestimated him and that he still has much more to give while also luxuriating in his moment in the sun. I’ve read elsewhere that the lingering self-importance throughout these tracks makes for a “by the numbers” listening experience, but I strongly disagree. Burna doesn’t break new ground stylistically or stretch himself vocally because he doesn’t need to. This album showcases what he does best: ooze charisma and sex appeal while gliding effortlessly over slick, party-ready beats.
Consider the record’s lead single (and best cut), “Sittin’ On Top Of The World.” Sculpted around an instantly recognizable Brandy/Dark Child sample, Burna balances the street and the suave lyrically (" Feel my thug passion/Give you what you ask for/So tell me if you want action/Until the lights back on”) before throwing it to 21 Savage for added mainstream appeal. Combine all those tactics with a music video that feels straight out of the late 1990s, and you have it's a track that knows precisely what it’s doing. Ditto for Burna’s collabs with GZA (the title track) and Dave (the terrific “Cheat on Me”), both of which open doors to future hip-hop and R&B collaborations that will surely drop in the coming months, if not in the next five minutes. While there are still some afrobeat bangers here that will excite longtime fans (" City Boys,” “Talibans II”), it’s hard to ignore Burna’s aspirations to be seen as something other than a niche act.
Based on this record’s reception and success thus far, it doesn’t feel like he’ll be ignored, either.
👉 Don’t forget to click the album image to stream the album on your favorite platform 👈