Seeing through Burna Boy’s Different

Original Story Published by: Ngozi Emedolibe, www.musicinafrica.net
Photo Source: Burna Boy

(Above) Burna Boy.

Burna Boy seems to be living according to the titles of his studio albums: He found ‘L.I.F.E’ in music, ‘Got on a Spaceship’ to try his craft with the ‘Outside’ world, and now, he is the ‘African Giant’.

It is not over-ambition. It is a destination nurtured by versatility. ‘Different’, one of the hit songs off his latest album African Giant, which dropped a few days ago, is a proof to this assertion.

A wholesome collaboration among Burna Boy, Damian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, and the iconic Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo, ‘Different’ comes as a cross-cultural fusion between West Africa and the West Indies.

Burna Boy’s lyrics go a bit political:

“Every day a different problem
Different life from the government
Different politics, people with different qualities
Different tings dem happening
Different election, sell a different false hope.” 

It opens with Damian Marley’s reggae toast, announcing the collaboration to the world (without restraint) and audaciously recognising himself as the 'Big Gong', a contrast from his nickname Jr Gong. This flows smoothly with great vocals from Burna Boy who identifies the many premises where inequalities exist in the world. His style once again reinforces the fact the Burna is as good in reggae as he is in Afropop and Afrobeat.

Then, he suddenly goes political, perhaps a subtle reference to his country of origin, Nigeria, and her many political issues.