Burna Boy, the Nigerian superstar, unveiled his seventh studio album titled “I Told Them” on August 25, 2023.
Even though pre-release chatter was dominated by his controversial remarks about ‘Afrobeats’, the focus now shifts firmly to his musical opus, which effortlessly demonstrates why Burna Boy stands as a luminary in the world of contemporary African music.
Amidst the buzz surrounding the album’s release, one could not overlook the stir caused by Burna Boy’s bold statements on Afrobeat.
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Yet, let’s pivot our attention away from that and delve into the very heart and soul of “I Told Them.”
While there was speculation that Burna would create music targeted at the Western audience, especially Black Americans, the reality is that the album maintains his signature Burna Boy sound.
A standout moment occurs on Track 14, “Thanks,” featuring J.Cole, where Burna Boy emphasizes that he introduced Afro Fusion.
In essence, he is indeed evolving his sound, but it’s more about blending it with the African musical essence rather than completely shifting to cater exclusively to the Western market.
Despite the impression created by his recent singles like “Big 7” and “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” the album showcases a diverse range of African musical styles, disproving any assumptions of a strictly old-school funky vibe.
The African Giant allocates three tracks to a Western style, while generously gifting us with twelve tracks of relatable African music to enjoy.
A hearty congratulations to Burna Boy once again, the Odogwu!
By Cyril Senason Anani |3Xtra.tv|Ghana
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