This year, Afrobeats is on a roll with a wave of jams that have everyone buzzing on social media and racking up streams across Africa and beyond. Leading the pack is Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, fresh off a whirlwind couple of years since his hit album I Told Them…. That record proved he’s here to stay at the top of the game, and now he’s back with his eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, enlisting Travis Scott, Stromae, Shaboozey and even Mick Jagger along the way.
The album is a jungle of genres, kicking off with a groovy afrobeat “No Panic”, led by Burna’s confronting vocals referencing whoever’s been dragging him on social media over scandals regarding his relationship with the controversial American singer Diddy online. The title track “No Sign Of Weakness” presents a different side of Burna Boy. With a powerful beat as his backdrop, he fearlessly expresses his disregard for the judgements of others. In “Buy You Life”, the familiar, soulful Burna Boy sound returns, his melodic bass voice complemented by acoustic guitars and harmonious choir vocals; an intriguing sonic direction also found in “Love”. Picking up the tempo, “TaTaTa”, with Travis Scott, is led by Burna Boy’s smooth, melodic vocals, riding atop pulsating percussion and a heavy bassline, elevating the track to one of the album’s most memorable collaborations.
Shifting gears, “Come Gimme” is a pleasantly soothing love song with a backdrop for romantic moments, even if it doesn’t particularly stand out among the tracklist. In contrast, following track “Dem Dey” playfully addresses a fabricated scandal involving Burna Boy and he flaunts his ability to turn controversy into art. “Sweet Love”, a reggae sound combining soothing vocals and silky saxophone melodies, speaks the essence of quality music. “28 grams” is a dedication to Burna Boy’s affinity for weed and drugs, an aspect of his life that has influenced his music and public image.
In “Kabiyesi”, Burna Boy hops into his traditional Afrobeat roots, declaring his unwillingness to be questioned or controlled. Mick Jagger provides guest vocals on “Empty Chairs”, taking the chorus. Compared to most octogenarians, the Rolling Stones legend seems to have a pretty good grasp of contemporary popular music. Next is “Update”, a multilingual track, blending Yoruba, English and Pidgin English, reflecting Burna Boy’s diverse cultural background. The collaboration with Belgian singer Stromae on “Pardon” results in an intriguing fusion of groovy percussion and piano melodies. “Bundle By Bundle” revives the highlife sound, inspiring listeners to move to its infectious rhythm. The track “Change Your Mind,” featuring American country singer with Nigerian heritage Shaboozey has already proven to be an instant favourite among fans. The rich and captivating song, arguably the album’s best, is a perfect conclusion to this diverse compilation of sounds and styles.
The album culminates with “Born Winner”, leaving us with an uplifting anthem of self-proclamation, expressing gratitude for his journey and the belief in his innate ability to triumph. All through No Sign of Weakness, Burna Boy strikes a balance between catchy tunes and in-your-face lyrics, showing he’s not backing down and is as strong as ever, no matter what challenges come his way.
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