If 2018 was the year Burna Boy finally fulfilled his promise, 2019 was the year in which he exploded. With scene stealing features, a critically and commercially acclaimed album and a never ending tour, Burna’s star has shone bright in the last 12 months. We reflect on a year in the life of Burna by […]
5 years ago
If 2018 was the year Burna Boy finally fulfilled his promise, 2019 was the year in which he exploded. With scene stealing features, a critically and commercially acclaimed album and a never ending tour, Burna’s star has shone bright in the last 12 months. We reflect on a year in the life of Burna by picking out all the moments that mattered and ensured he was the country’s biggest star.
3rd January: #BIGFONTENERGY
The announcement that Burna Boy and Mr Eazi would take their talents to the Valley was followed by a rant from Burna who took offense to the font politics and demanded his name be written in the context of his being an AFRICAN GIANT.
25th January: The Release of the Killin Dem video
Burna had closed 2018 with Killin Dem, a rare instance of him doing the trendy thing and tapping Zlatan and the zanku movement. As the song ruled the airwaves over the holiday period, Burna dropped a video for the Kel P produced song of the first quarter.
12th February: Announcement of the African Giant Tour
AFRICAN GIANT TOUR 🦍. 1st set of dates. Next batch loading …. pic.twitter.com/lqomlJw3Yk
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) February 12, 2019
After his Coachella tantrum attracted insults and jest, Burna in a display of self awareness and fine sense of humor announced that his America tour would be titled the African Giant Tour.
24th February: Kainama Drops
Harmonize, the Tanzanian singer signed to Diamond Platnumz taps Burna for a song with his label boss off his Afro Bongo EP.
1st March: Dangote drops
With Dangote, Burna Boy continued the slew of impressive singles with the survival and socially conscious anthem Dangote.
1st March: My Baby, collab with R2Bees
4th March: Dangote video drops
In the context of Nigeria’s election cycle, the video focused on the theme of Nigeria’s unemployment rate with Burna referencing the fact that Africa’s richest man is seeking to increase his wealth. The video is an abstract depiction of some of the grimiest parts of Lagos without Burna making an appearance till the closing scene. The narrative arc ends at Fela’s Shrine – an act that takes on from the sample and pays homage to Nigeria’s greatest musical mind.
10th March: Kainama video drops
15th March: Burna Debuts UK CHART with Dave’s Location
Dave’s debut album Psychodrama debuted at #1 on the UK Album Charts racking up 26,390 combined sales, including 23.6 million track streams, making up 79% of its total figure. Location debuted at #11 of the official UK Singles chart.
21st March: Release of Steel and Copper EP with DJ DS
Pushing his crossover by connecting to a foreign audience, a 4 track EP with production from DJ Dodger Stadium.
26th March: Youtube Artist Spotlight Stories Documentary Drops
Using the voices of some friends, his mother and his grandfather, we get a sense of the young Burna Boy who explored fully his creative talents while struggling academically.
1st April: Thuggin/Darko video premieres
A double video to accompany the stand out singles Thuggin and Darko off the Steel and Copper EP.
7th April: Burna drops by Sway’s Universe
While doing media rounds in the States, he was interviewed by Sway Calloway.
14th April: Coachella Performance #1
21st April: Coachella Performance #2
16th May: BET Nomination
Burna was nominated in the Best International Act category alongside compatriots Mr Eazi, Teni, AKA (South Africa); Aya Nakamura (France); Dave (U.K.); Dosseh (France) and Giggs (U.K).
13th June: Release of Anybody
Gearing up for the impending release of African Giant, Burna touches on focusing his energy on what matters most, avoiding enemies and ultimately becoming the voice commanding the respect of those around.
24th June: Burna wins BET Award and goes AWOL
Burna is announced as the winner of BET’s Best International Act but does a disappearing act leaving Mama Burna no choice but to receive the award and deliver some words on his behalf.
4th July: Mahalia Collab, Simmer drops
2 days after his 28th birthday, Simmer, a mid tempo bop with British singer, Mahalia is released.
9th July: Burna is selected as Apple Music’s Up Next artist
Burna gets the Apple stimulus package and the composite perks.
15th July: Release of Location video
The summer hit gets a cameo filled video.
17th July: Simmer video is released
19th July: Burna’s featured on Beyonce’s Lion King inspired compilation
Burna gets a track to himself on Beyonce’s Lion King album.
22nd July: Final African Giant single, Pull Up Drops
24th July: Burna performs on Jimmy Kimmel
As part of the promotion for his fourth studio album, Africa Giant and in line with his placement as Apple Music’s latest Up Next artist, Burna Boy delivered a live performance on late night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live. Donning a yellow and white adire outfit, Burna wooed the crowd with backup from his band who traveled with him across the US over the course of the year.
26th July: Release of African Giant
The African Giant album finally arrives boasting features with Damian Marley, Future, Angelique Kidjo, Jorja Smith, Zlatan and more.
Featured on DJ Snake’s Carte Blanche album
Breakfast Club Interview
Press rounds as part of the album roll out.
29th July: Hot 97 Interview
13th August: GQ Tattoo Breakdown
He takes a seat with GQ to provide the background information behind the ink that’s found its place on his skin. In the course of short video, he reflects on the Bible, Fela Kuti, his memorable debut album- L.I.F.E. and more.
14th August: Interview/Performance on Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Burna connects with his African brother.
16th August: Jorja Smith Collab, Be Honest is released
21st August: Premiere of Pull Up video
In the Meji Alabi directed video, Burna takes us on a day trip through the city.
Burna’s home!
Burna comes home to promote the album and stops by The Beat 99.9 FM.
Album Listening Party
Later that night, he commemorated the release with a Lagos listening party.
28th August: Burna performs on Audiomack’s Trap Symphony
Burna performs with a live orchestra on Audiomack’s Trap Symphony.
3rd September: Vevo Ctrl Live Sessions
Responds to South African Xenophobic Attacks
Ok. I have been away from social media personally until today. Ordinarily at a time like this, I should come here and say something to try and calm the situation because my Dream has always been to Unite AFRICA and make us realise that Together we will Literally rule the world…
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
This goes against everything I stand 4, but at what point do we take action? I understand that years of Oppression has confused South Africans to the point where they see the pple who came to their defence during their Oppression as their Enemies and then worship their oppressors
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
And @MI_Abaga it’s Fuck @akaworldwide from now on. And if you down with him, it’s Fuck you too. I respect you too much, please Don’t throw my respect out the window cuz I swear you will fly out with it.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
Lemme also say that there are some South Africans who are Amazing, Progressive AFRICAN people and I will forever Love them like I Love myself. But they are not many at all.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
No be lie Amigo. But why we no fit all just come back make am good? Instead of to go become dog for city. If all the Nigerians for diaspora come back with ginger for our future we go clean house wey e go shine pass shoe https://t.co/M2GHL5hujd
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
And to my Brothers and sisters I am not encouraging any Violence or anything but please PLEASE Protect and Defend yourselves at all times, it may not seem like it but there’s always a way. Management will now take back control of Burna Boy’s Social media. God bless AFRICA ✊🏾
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
4th September: Interview with LA Radio Host, Big Boy
10th September: Gum Body video with Jorja Smith
Burna and Jorja Smith reprise their role as lovers.
1st October: Another Story Video Drops to commemorate Independence Day
Another Story, one of the standouts on African Giant shed light on a backstory clouding the birth of Nigeria and employed the skills of Ghana’s M.anifest drops right on Independence Day.
17th October: Collab with Wretch 32
19th October: Performs at Wizkid’s Starboyfest in London
24th October: Another Zlatan collab, Gbeku
After the success of Killin Dem, Burna returns the favor for Zlatan’s new album.
3rd November: Burna wins Best African Act at the EMA’s
The winner for ‘Best African Act’ is @burnaboy. Congratulations on your #MTVEMA win!! pic.twitter.com/uqAaZJ70O7
— MTVAfrica (@MTVAfrica) November 3, 2019
Sells Out Wembley (SSE) Arena
Burna sells out the arena and receives a plaque as the first “Afrobeats” artist to do so.
6th November: Omo video drops
15th November: Queen and Slim soundtrack
Melina Matsoukas’ directorial debut has been well received and Burna gets to find his place in the moment with a soundtrack placement.
18th November: Tiny Desk Concert
NPR’s live music series is a rite of passage for the greats and Burna got his turn.
20th November: Grammy Nomination
The icing on the cake comes with a Grammy nod for Best World Album. Though acts like King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Kah Lo have found love from the Recording Academy, Burna’s recognition marked a new high for contemporary Nigerian artists performing in the mainstream space.
22nd November: Tapped by Stormzy for Own It
Stormzy x Ed Sheeran x Burna Boy captures Burna’s ascension to the big leagues.
24th November: New Collab with M.anifest, Tomorrow
Another returned favor for an African Giant cut, Burna jumps on a feature with Ghanaian rapper, M.anifest.
3rd December: Burna Boy delivers electrifying performance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show
After performances on shows by Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah, Burna Boy continues his foray into the American market with a brilliant performance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.
5th December: Burna Boy holds his own on collaboration with Kranium and TY Dolla $ign, Hotel
Keeping up with his year of dominance, Burna Boy sparkles on his collaboration with Kranium and TY Dolla $ign.
13th December: Show Dem Camp Collab ‘True Story’
23rd December: Rap Radar Interview
24th December: A Final 2019 Loosie ‘Money Play’
25th December: Headlines Christmas Concert
27th December: Headlines Afro Nation
📸: Keleenna Onyeaka
