If there is one thing Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu) exudes, it’s raw talent and creativity and of course, confidence bothering on sheer arrogance! But what do you expect from a creative who gave Nigeria its first contemporary Grammy award with his fifth studio album, ‘Twice as Tall’ at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
Describing the Atlantic Records sign-on as eclectic wouldn’t be an overstatement! His sound is a collage of diverse genres ranging from highlife to hip hop, pop, rap, reggae, dancehall and EDM and should appeal to all those with an open mind and global approach to music. ‘Twice as Tall’ is Buna Boy’s testament as an artiste coming out of Nigeria while preaching a global message of motivation, belief in African traditional religion and Pan Africanism. ‘Twice as Tall’ features tracks like ‘Level Up,’ ‘Onyeka,’ ‘Alarm Clock,’ ‘Way Too Big,’ ‘Naughty by Nature,’ ‘Comma,’ ‘Real Life’ and ‘Bank on It’ delivered in Yoruba and Pidgin.
Tutored by his mum, Bose Ogulu, a dancer for late Fela Kuti, his journey to the Grammies began with ‘African Giant’ released in 2019, a title that sounded bogus but earned him a Grammy nomination which he lost. ‘Twice as Tall’ is like a bridge blending the old and the new with a sample ‘featuring’ legendary Pat Boone, Diddy producing and doing a voice over while Yousou Ndou is a driving force in Level Up among others.
Chris Martin animates what could have just been another rap song coming out of Nigeria in Monsters You Made but Burna Boy’s delivery against the backdrop of colonialism and Pan Africanism could also sneak the song into the Billboard charts. ‘Twice as Tall’ is an angry album, a happy album; it is an album that celebrates the richness of the African culture and heritage. It is also an excursion for Burna Boy as he confronts his fears and doubts while calling on Orunmila (African deity) after which he is victorious.
For a kid who grew up wanting to be a super hero and chose the name Burna Boy, The African Giant is truly standing ‘Twice as Tall.’
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