Wikipedia

African Giant

African Giant is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The album was released on July 26, 2019, by Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Warner Music. The album is a mixture of Afrobeats, Afrobeat, dancehall, pop and hip hop. It was produced primarily by Kel-P, along with production from Benjamz, Dre Skull and Skrillex, among others. The album features guest appearances from Jorja Smith, Jeremih, Damian Marley, Zlatan Ibile, Angelique Kidjo, Serani, M.anifest, YG and Future. It was supported by eight singles, including "On the Low", which won Viewers' Choice at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, "Killin Dem", which won Song of the Year at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, among other awards; and "Anybody", which Burna Boy performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

African Giant
The cover is an image of Burna Boy inscribed in a bank note wearing a sunglasses and a Fela Kuti necklace
Studio album by
Burna Boy
ReleasedJuly 26, 2019 (2019-07-26)
Recorded2018–19
Genre
Length60:00
Language
Label
Producer
Burna Boy chronology
Steel & Copper
(2019) 		African Giant
(2019) 		Twice as Tall
(2020)
Singles from African Giant
  1. "Gbona"
    Released: September 27, 2018
  2. "On the Low"
    Released: November 16, 2018
  3. "Killin Dem"
    Released: January 3, 2019
  4. "Dangote"
    Released: March 1, 2019
  5. "Anybody"
    Released: June 14, 2019
  6. "Pull Up"
    Released: July 22, 2019
  7. "Omo"
    Released: November 6, 2019
  8. "Secret"
    Released: January 24, 2020

The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who called it cohesive and praised Burna Boy for not diluting his sound. It was included in the year-end lists issued by several publications, including Billboard, Complex and Pitchfork. African Giant won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. It was supported by the African Giant Returns tour, which commenced in Toronto in August 2019.

Background and recording

edit

Burna Boy recorded songs for African Giant with Kel-P between August and November 2018. The latter told Revolt TV that he met the singer through a mutual friend in August. He said that they spent six weeks in a Lagos hotel room recording 23 songs for the album. The M.anifest-assisted track "Another Story" was recorded at a hotel in Ghana. The tracks "On the Low", "Gbona", "Omo", and "Spiritual" were all recorded on the same day.[1] Burna Boy told Billboard magazine the album is his most personal yet, and would touch upon themes of Nigeria's political climate and violence in the region.[2] The album was produced primarily by Kel P, along with production from Benjamz, Dre Skulls and Skrillex, among others. It features guest appearances from Jorja Smith, Jeremih, Damian Marley and Future, among others.[3] African Giant was mixed in Los Angeles and London by Jesse Ray Ernster, a mixing engineer known for his collaboration with Kanye West.[4]

The album's title was derived from Burna Boy's infamous outburst at Coachella's organizers regarding the placement of his name in a small font.[5] Burna Boy held a private listening session for the album in Los Angeles. Photos and videos from the listening session were shared on social media. African Giant was initially announced as a 16-track album to be released in August 2019.[6] In July 2019, Burna Boy was disclosed as Apple Music's Up Next artist. His inclusion into the program was accompanied by a Beats 1 interview with Julie Adenuga and a short documentary.[7] In the same month, Burna Boy unveiled the album's artwork and release date. The artwork was inspired by Nigeria's first 10 naira note, which features Nigerian educationist Alvan Ikoku.[3] The album's artwork also contains other symbolic elements, including serial style numbers representing his date of birth, images of him as a baby with his father and grandfather depicting generational transition, and a stack of gold coins suggesting a single African currency backed by gold.[8]

Composition

edit

African Giant is an Afrobeats, Afrobeat, dancehall, pop and hip hop album.[9][10] On the album's opener and title track "African Giant", Burna Boy portrays himself as the poster boy in the fight against oppression.[11] "Anybody" contains a sample of Angelique Kidjo's "We We". Pitchfork writer Alphonse Pierre praised the song's melody and said Burna Boy's best attribute is his vocal versatility.[12] The track "Wetin Man Go Do" addresses Nigeria's inner-city struggles.[11] "Dangote", a track recorded in Yoruba, Nigerian pidgin and English, is composed of Fela-jazz horns and African-inflected dancehall; its lyrics stress the importance for ordinary people to hustle.[13][14] The song is named after Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote and is an angry indictment of poverty in Nigeria.[15]

"Gum Body", a duet with British singer Jorja Smith, is a love ballad that fuses Afrobeats and R&B.[16] The song's instrumental is composed of percussion and sensual jazz sax.[17] The Zlatan-assisted track "Killin Dem" is a blend of Burna Boy's Afro-fusion and Zlatan's cock-sure rap bars.[18] The dancehall and reggae-infused "Omo" interpolates I Wayne's "Can't Satisfy Her"; the track has been described as "a love letter to his girlfriend Stefflon Don".[16][8] "Collateral Damage", a song about the corruption within Africa, features a guitar-assisted instrumental.[16] The politically charged track "Another Story" narrates the corruption of British colonization.[16] "Pull Up" is composed of scattered strings and percussion. Musically, it contains lyrics about a man's interest in a girl he cannot stop thinking about.[19] In "Different", Burna Boy rhymes about the perils of democracy; the song features vocals by Damian Marley and Angélique Kidjo.[20]

"Gbona" (Yoruba: Hot) was produced by Kel P and is a fusion of Afrobeats and reggae. It was recorded in Nigerian pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo.[21] In a review for Pan African Music, Wale Owoade praised the song's production and said it "thrives on the harmonious fusion of a static sound of the past with an infectious dance vibe from the present".[22] "On the Low" is a mixture of Afrobeats and dancehall; in it, Burna Boy talks about a secret affair that he wants to turn into a lifelong commitment.[23][24] The song was produced by Kel P and has been described as a mid-tempo love song. Lindsay Howard of Variance magazine said the song is "instantly reminiscent of long days and hot nights".[25] The Future-assisted track "Show & Tell" blends contemporary beats and has a dancehall rhythm.[26] On the album's closing track "Spiritual", Burna Boy samples his mother's acceptance speech at the 2019 BET Awards.[27] African Giant probes Nigeria's turbulent history by breaking down the narratives that have surrounded the country since it gained independence.[28]

Release and promotion

edit

In April 2019, Burna Boy embarked on the African Giant tour, stopping in several U.S cities and performing at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California and the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City.[29] In July 2019, he announced he would embark on the African Giant Returns tour to support the album. This tour featured live concerts across Canada, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.[30] The African Giant Returns tour was scheduled to begin on Friday, August 9, at the Rebel concert venue in Toronto.[31] However, the Rebel gig was cancelled at the last minute and rescheduled for the following Sunday.[31] Writing for Now newspaper, Sumiko Wilson gave the gig a positive review, praising Burna Boy's performance and saying he had "traces of Fela Kuti's signature electric stage presence".[31] Aniefiok Ekpoudom of The Guardian gave a five out of five-star review of the concert at the Wembley Arena in London, writing it "has the feeling of a coronation of Nigeria's latest musical king".[32]

On September 10, 2019, Burna Boy released the music video for "Gum Body", a duet with British singer Jorja Smith.[33] In the Meji Alabi-directed visuals, the duo are placed in different rooms in an unlit apartment before coming together to dance near a window.[17] Burna Boy released the music video for the M.anifest-assisted track, "Another Story", on September 30, 2019.[34] The video was released a day before Nigeria's independence day and recounts the events surrounding the country's freedom from British rule.[35] In the video, children are wearing blindfolds with the words "corruption", "violence" and "greed" written across them.[35] Another scene in the video depicts children raising weapons and a crowd destroying a burning car.[34]

Singles

edit

"Gbona" was released as the album's lead single on September 27, 2018.[36] The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Gbona" features Kalukata-influenced female dancers.[22][37] The album's second single, "On the Low", was released on November 16, 2018.[38] Burna Boy won Viewers' Choice award for "On the Low" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[39] "On the Low" received 15 million streams in France and was awarded a gold plaque by the National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing (SNEP).[40][41] The accompanying music video for "On the Low" was shot and directed by Meji Alabi.[42]

The Zlatan-assisted track "Killin Dem" was released on January 3, 2019, as the album's third single.[43] The Prodigeezy-directed music video for "Killin Dem" incorporates clips from a Zubby Michael Nollywood film and features a mixture of Zanku dance styles.[44] Burna Boy won Best Collaboration for "Killin' Dem" at The Headies 2019.[45] He was also nominated for Best Collaboration and won Song of the Year for "Killin Den" at the 2019 African Muzik Magazine Awards.[46] Moreover, he won Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Collaboration and Listeners' Choice for "Killin Dem" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[39]

"Dangote" was released as the album's fourth single on March 1, 2019.[47] The music video for "Dangote" was shot and directed by Clarence Peters; it depicts the desperation of the poor and their oppression. During it, viewers can see an unlicensed pharmacist selling drugs in a public vehicle and a preacher passing around a plate for donations. The New Afrika Shrine is also depicted in the video.[15]

The album's fifth single, "Anybody", was released on June 14, 2019.[48] As part of Apple Music's Up Next programming, Burna Boy performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[49] A music video directed by Clarence Peters accompanied the song's release. The video features various neon hues and dancers in numerous wardrobes.[50] The Kel P-produced track "Pull Up" was released on July 22, 2019, as the album's sixth single.[19] Burna Boy premiered the song on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show.[51] On August 21, 2019, the music video for the Meji Alabi-directed "Pull Up" was released.[52] In it, Burna Boy displays his vintage aesthetic fashion style.[53]

The album's seventh single, "Omo", was released on November 6, 2019, along with its music video. The video for "Omo" was directed by Clarence Peters and begins with a shot of Burna Boy sitting on a chair inside a strip club, with the words Giant Club highlighted in neon.[54][55] The album's eighth single "Secret", a track that features American singer Jeremih and Jamaican dancehall artist Serani, was released on January 24, 2020.[56] The David Camarena-directed video for the song was shot in various dimly lit, monochromatic settings.[56]

Reception

edit
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100[57]
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria9.1/10[11]
Pitchfork8.3/10[58]
Clash7/10[59]
Earmilk     [9]
The Face     [60]
NME     [16]
The Observer     [13]
The Guardian     [61]

African Giant received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 80, based on six reviews.[57] Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria assigned a rating of 9.1 out of 10, praising the album's emotive undertone and stating that there is "a uniform sonic approach to all the beats".[11] Alake said African Giant is the "perfection of the journey that Outside pioneered".[11] Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork gave the record an 8.3 out of 10 rating, saying it is "more cohesive, more robust in sound, and significantly broader than his previous music".[58] Clash magazine's Narzra Ahmed granted the album seven stars out of ten, describing it as "a cohesive piece of work".[59] Spin's Israel Daramola commended Burna Boy for not diluting his sound in order to cross into the mainstream.[62]

Kyann-Sian Williams of NME awarded the album four stars out of five, applauding Burna Boy for "using his profile to raise awareness for a better Africa".[16] Kitty Empire of The Observer rated the album four stars out of five, characterizing it as a continuation of "the singer's boundary-hopping mixture of laid-back Caribbean swagger, Fela Kuti swing and multilingual communiques on a range of concerns".[13] Also reviewing for The Guardian, Ben Beaumont-Thomas said the album's "retro Afro-pop production can get generic though, when repeated across 19 tracks" and that Burna Boy's "sensual, even rather muted music, may make it hard for him to cut through the noise of western pop culture".[61] Writing for The Fader magazine, Joey Akan said African Giant is "Nigeria's biggest homegrown effort with a solid measure of local ownership and a narrative that isn't sacrificed or weakened as a prerequisite for global appeal."[8]

Jochan Embley of the Evening Standard felt the album would be Burna Boy's best work yet if it was more "concise".[63] The Atlantic writer Hannah Giorgis described African Giant as a "musically diverse and narratively challenging" project that "incorporates a potent emphasis on national record-keeping while maintaining the sultry, atmospheric quality that Burna's early records established".[27] August Brown of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the album "never dilutes its sound to cater to Anglo audiences, or even to the hip-hop and R&B scenes that are dabbling in Afro-pop right now."[64] The Face's Summer Eldemire gave the album four stars out of five, saying it feels "political–like a blueprint of Burna's plan to enable Africans to access their own power and uplift the continent."[60] In a review for The Washington Post, Chris Richards stated that on African Giant, Burna Boy's "phrasing always feels fleet, creating a sound that's incredibly dense and impossibly dainty".[23] Richards also said Burna Boy uses his voice to "give his heaviest lyrics a sense of levity and optimism".[23]

A writer for Filter Free Nigeria said Burna Boy "drew on the positives from Outside while honing the album" and that the "production aligns perfectly to his Afrocentric posture of superiority as it even emboldens even the foreign artistes to ride his wave".[65] In a review for This Day newspaper, Iyke Bede said the record "manages to chronicle a narrative of identity, ambition, activism and love".[66] In contrast, Bede also notes African Giant "certainly isn't aptly titled to reflect Burna's rightful place alongside the galaxy of music stars (King Sunny Adé, Osita Osadebe) that have emerged from the black continent".[66] African Giant won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[67][68] It was also nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.[69]

Year-end and all time rankings

edit
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Complex The Best Albums of 2019
13
[70]
Billboard The 50 Best Albums of 2019
14
[71]
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2019
26
[72]
Vice The 100 Best Albums of 2019
12
[73]
The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s
63
[74]
Rolling Stone The 50 Best Albums of 2019
46
[75]
Rolling Stone 500 greatest album
330
[76]
The Atlantic The 18 Best Albums of 2019
—
[77]

Track listing

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."African Giant"Damini Ogulu
3:04
2."Anybody"OguluP2J3:08
3."Wetin Man Go Do"OguluKel-P3:08
4."Dangote"OguluKel-P3:45
5."Gum Body" (featuring Jorja Smith)
  • Ogulu
  • Jorja Smith
Benjamz3:15
6."Killin Dem" (with Zlatan)
  • Ogulu
  • Omoniyi Raphael
Kel-P3:41
7."Omo"OguluMr Kleb2:27
8."Secret" (featuring Jeremih and Serani)
  • Ogulu
  • Jeremy Felton
  • Craig Marsh
Tboythe13:23
9."Collateral Damage"OguluKel-P3:17
10."Another Story" (featuring M.anifest)
  • Ogulu
  • Kwame Tsikata
Kel-P4:16
11."Pull Up"OguluKel-P3:07
12."Blak Ryno (Skit)"——1:06
13."Destiny"OguluDJDS3:17
14."Different" (featuring Damian Marley and Angélique Kidjo)
  • Ogulu
  • Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
  • Angélique Kidjo
  • GMK
  • Chopstix
  • TMXO
3:16
15."Gbona"OguluKel-P3:07
16."On the Low"OguluKel-P3:05
17."Show & Tell" (featuring Future)
  • Ogulu
  • Nayvadius Wilburn
2:42
18."This Side" (featuring YG)
  • Ogulu
  • Keenon Jackson
  • Levi Lennox
  • IO
3:22
19."Spiritual"OguluKel-P3:41
Total length:60:00
Notes
  • "—" denotes a skit
  • "Anybody" contains a sample of Angelique Kidjo's "We We" (1992).
  • "Omo" interpolates I Wayne's "Can't Satisfy Her" (2004).

Personnel

edit
  • Damini Ogulu  – primary artist, writer
  • Omoniyi Raphael  – featured artist, writer
  • Jorja Alice Smith  – featured artist, writer
  • Jeremy P. Felton  – featured artist, writer
  • Craig Serani Marsh  – featured artist, writer
  • Kwame Ametepee Tsikata  – featured artist, writer
  • Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley  – featured artist, writer
  • Angélique Kidjo  – featured artist, writer
  • Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn  – featured artist, writer
  • Keenon Jackson  – featured artist, writer
  • Kel-P  – production (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 19)
  • Peter Jay  – production (track 2)
  • Benjamz  – production (tracks 1, 5)
  • Mr Kleb  – production (track 7)
  • DJDS  – production (track 13)
  • GMK  – production (track 14)
  • Chopstix  – production (track 14)
  • TMXO  – production (track 14)
  • Dre Skull  – production (track 17)
  • Skrillex  – production (track 17)
  • Levi Lennox  – production (track 18)
  • IO  – production (track 18)
  • Jesse Ray Ernster  – mixing
  • Joseph Brice  – Assistant Engineer
  • Aran Knight  – Assistant Engineer
  • Harpaal Sanghera  – Assistant Engineer

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for African Giant
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[93] Gold 40,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[94] Gold 10,000‡
France (SNEP)[95] Platinum 100,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[96] Gold 20,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[97] Gold 15,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[98] Gold 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[99] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various July 26, 2019
[100][101]

References

edit
  1. ^ Keith Nelson (December 5, 2019). "Studio Sessions - Kel P talks making 'African Giant' in hotel rooms, Burna Boy's next album already being done and more". Revolt. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Nick Duerden (July 19, 2019). "How Burna Boy Became Nigeria's Surprise Success Story". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Motolani Alake (July 26, 2019). "Burna Boy releases his album, 'African Giant'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  4. ^ Donna-Claire Chesman (August 22, 2019). "Meet the Man Who Expertly Mixed Burna Boy's 'African Giant': Interview". DJ Booth. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Hannah Giorgis (July 26, 2019). "The 'African Giant' Challenging Musical Boundaries". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  6. ^ Odion Okonofua (April 17, 2019). "Pulse Exclusive: Burna Boy set to drop new album 'African Giant'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  7. ^ Kam Tambini (July 9, 2019). "Burna Boy Is Apple Music's New 'Up Next' Artist". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c Joey Akan (July 19, 2019). "With African Giant, Burna Boy's crossover is complete". The Fader. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Vicky Inoyo. "Album Review: Burna Boy - African Giant". Earmilk. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Motolani Alake (July 26, 2019). "Burna Boy releases his album, 'African Giant'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e Motolani Alake (July 29, 2019). "Album Review: 'African Giant' is the creative alignment of Burna Boy's journey". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  12. ^ Alphonse Pierre (June 14, 2019). "The Ones: Burna Boy's "Anybody"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c Kitty Empire (July 28, 2019). "Burna Boy: African Giant review – Caribbean swagger and Fela swing". The Observer. Archived from the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  14. ^ "Burna Boy unveils emotional music video 'Dangote'". Pan African Music. March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Joey Akan (March 7, 2019). "Dangote Isn't Nigeria's Hero, But Don't Ask Burna Boy". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Kyann-Sian Williams (July 29, 2019). "Burna Boy – 'African Giant' review". NME. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Video: Burna Boy – "Gum Body" (ft. Jorja Smith)". Spin. September 10, 2019. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  18. ^ Debola Abimbolu (January 25, 2019). "See the music video for Burna Boy and Zlatan's "Killin Dem"". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Damola Durosomo (July 22, 2019). "Listen to Burna Boy's New Single 'Pull Up'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  20. ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (March 4, 2020). "Burna Boy, Global Giant". GQ. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  21. ^ Tomiwa (September 25, 2018). "Burna Boy – "Gbona"". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  22. ^ a b Wale Owoade (October 22, 2018). "Best of the Moment: 'Gbona' by Burna Boy". Pan African Music. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c Chris Richards (September 6, 2019). "Burna Boy is an 'African Giant' with a sound that defies geography". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Tomiwa (November 15, 2018). "Burna Boy – "On The Low"". tooXclusive. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  25. ^ Lindsay Howard (November 16, 2018). "Summer is back thanks to Burna Boy's new song 'On the Low'". Variance. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  26. ^ Stone, Katie (July 26, 2019). "Skrillex credited as producer on Burna Boy's "Show & Tell" ft. Future". Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  27. ^ a b Hannah Giorgis (July 26, 2019). "The 'African Giant' Challenging Musical Boundaries". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  28. ^ "Burna boy blends the personal and political into a new benchmark of Afro-fusion music". Pitchfork. August 1, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Damola Durosomo (February 12, 2019). "Burna Boy Announces 'African Giant' Tour". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  30. ^ "Burna Boy Announces 'The African Giant Returns Tour'". OkayAfrica. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  31. ^ a b c Sumiko Wilson (August 19, 2019). "Review: Nine days after getting held up at the border, Burna Boy made his triumphant Toronto debut". Now. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  32. ^ Aniefiok Ekpoudom (November 4, 2019). "Burna Boy review – all hail the graceful king of Afrobeats". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  33. ^ James Keith (September 11, 2019). "Burna Boy And Jorja Smith Return With Video For Sultry New Collaboration "Gum Body"". Complex. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  34. ^ a b Elias Leight (September 30, 2019). "Burna Boy Commemorates Nigerian Independence in 'Another Story' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  35. ^ a b Aisha Salaudeen (October 1, 2019). "Burna Boy reflects on Nigeria's independence with his new music video 'Another Story'". CNN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  36. ^ "Gbona - Single by Burna Boy". Apple Music. September 27, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  37. ^ Wandera Hussien (September 27, 2018). "Burna Boy drops "Gbona" music video". The Fader. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  38. ^ "Sear On the Low - Single by Burna Boy". Apple Music. November 16, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  39. ^ a b Damola Durosomo (January 13, 2020). "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  40. ^ "Burna Boy's 2019 song goes Gold in France without promotion". P.M. News. March 8, 2020. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  41. ^ "Les Certifications - Burna Boy". SNEP. February 14, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  42. ^ "New video: Burna Boy – On The Low". Pan African Music. November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  43. ^ "Killin Dem - Single by Zlatan & Burna Boy". Apple Music. January 3, 2019. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  44. ^ Kam Tambini (January 25, 2019). "Watch Zlatan & Burna Boy's New Music Video For 'Killin Dem'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  45. ^ Gbenga Bada (October 20, 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  46. ^ "Here Is the Full List of Winners at the 2019 AFRIMMA Awards". OkayAfrica. October 28, 2019. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  47. ^ "Dangote - Single by Burna Boy on Apple Music". Apple Music. March 1, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  48. ^ "Anybody - Single by Burna Boy". Apple Music. June 14, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  49. ^ Emily Zemler (July 24, 2019). "Watch Burna Boy Bring the Vibes With 'Anybody' on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  50. ^ Isaac Rouse (June 14, 2019). "Burna Boy Drops Visuals for New Single 'Anybody'". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  51. ^ "Burna Boy's Pull Up Featured On Zane Lowe's World Record". BroadwayWorld. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  52. ^ Michael Saponara (August 21, 2019). "Burna Boy Cruises Through the City in Colorful 'Pull Up' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  53. ^ Rachel Hahn (August 21, 2019). "Burna Boy Proves He's Nigeria's Most Stylish Musician in His New Video". Vogue. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  54. ^ Violet Johnson (November 7, 2019). "Watch: Burna Boy Drops Visuals To "Omo" Off The African Giant Album". The Guardian (Nigeria). Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  55. ^ Joshua Kellem (November 6, 2019). "Burna Boy Lusts Over His Dream Girl Inside A Strip Club In His Colorful 'Omo' Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  56. ^ a b Damola Durosomo (January 24, 2020). "Watch the Hazy Music Video for Burna Boy's 'Secret' Featuring Jeremih and Serani". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  57. ^ a b "African Giant by Burna Boy". Metacritic. July 26, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  58. ^ a b Sheldon Pearce (August 1, 2019). "Burna Boy African Giant". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  59. ^ a b Narzra Ahmed (July 26, 2019). "Burna Boy - African Giant". Clash. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  60. ^ a b Summer Eldemire (July 30, 2019). "Burna Boy shines with star power on 'African Giant'". The Face. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  61. ^ a b Ben Beaumont-Thomas (July 26, 2019). "Burna Boy: African Giant review – classily smooth Nigerian pop". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  62. ^ Israel Daramola (July 31, 2019). "Burna Boy's Dazzling African Giant Is One of the Year's Best Albums So Far". Spin. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  63. ^ Jochan Embley (July 26, 2019). "Burna Boy - African Giant review: Overlong album has moments of greatness". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  64. ^ August Brown (August 30, 2019). "Review: Burna Boy celebrates L.A.'s African diaspora at star-making Wiltern show". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  65. ^ ""African Giant" IS Burna Boy's Stamp of Authority on Afrobeats". Filter Free Nigeria. July 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  66. ^ a b Bede, Iyke. "Burna Boy's African Giant is Good Work but is the Title Befitting?". This Day. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  67. ^ "2Baba Burna Boy and Others Win at AFRIMA 2019". ChannelsTV. November 24, 2019. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  68. ^ Damolo Durosomo (November 20, 2019). "Burna Boy, Angelique Kidjo, Trevor Noah & More Earn 2020 Grammy Nominations". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  69. ^ Alake, Motolani (December 4, 2020). "Fireboy, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido lead 2020 Headies nominations [Pulse Exclusive]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  70. ^ "The Best Albums of 2019". Complex. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  71. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2019: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  72. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2019". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  73. ^ Staff, Vice (December 12, 2019). "The 100 Best Albums of 2019". Vice. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  74. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s". Vice. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  75. ^ Various (December 5, 2019). "The 50 Best Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  76. ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rollingstone. December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  77. ^ Hannah Giorgis; Spencer Kornhaber; James Parker (December 10, 2019). "The 18 Best Albums of 2019". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  78. ^ "Ultratop.be – Burna Boy – African Giant" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  79. ^ "Ultratop.be – Burna Boy – African Giant" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  80. ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  81. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Burna Boy – African Giant" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  82. ^ "Lescharts.com – Burna Boy – African Giant". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  83. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Burna Boy". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  84. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Burna Boy – African Giant". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  85. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  86. ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  87. ^ "Nigeria Top 50 Albums". www.turntablecharts.com. TurnTable. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  88. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2019". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  89. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2020" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  90. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2020" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  91. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2021". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  92. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2022". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  93. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Burna Boy – African Giant". Music Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  94. ^ "Danish album certifications – Burna Boy – African Giant". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  95. ^ "French album certifications – Burna Boy – African Giant" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  96. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Burna Boy – African Giant" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved October 1, 2022. Enter African Giant in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2020 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  97. ^ "Burna Boy – African Giant" (in Swedish). Grammofonleverantörernas förening. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  98. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('African Giant')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  99. ^ "British album certifications – Burna Boy – African Giant". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  100. ^ "African Giant by Burna Boy". Apple Music. July 25, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  101. ^ "African Giant [Explicit]". July 26, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=African_Giant&oldid=1248900721"