We can’t get enough of Burna Boy’s newest project, Twice As Tall. The Nigerian Afrofusion artist dropped his fifth studio album alongside a comic book entitled, The Secret Flame (catch the animation here), where he sonically guides our ears through a journey of self-discovery.
An emotional follow-up to African Giant, the album that landed him a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album last year, Twice As Tall chronicles a point in time in Burna Boy’s life. “It’s the album about the struggle for freedom,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “It’s the album about life in general, real life, good times, bad times, happy times, sad times, great times.”
Additional appearances include Kenya’s own Sauti Sol, grime rapper Stormzy and Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, who sings the hook on “Monsters You Made,” a commentary on the globalization of miseducation, police brutality, systemic racism, and corruption.
Burna Boy
“Naughty By Nature” is another track of note, where we hear guest verses from the eponymous rap group. It’s a full-circle moment in the album, as Burna has said to be greatly influenced by them (he also sampled Naughty By Nature’s “Jamboree” in last year’s hit “Collateral Damage”). This is also the rap group’s first release since 2011.
We’d be remiss to not mention the production on Twice As Tall, as the majority of the project was recorded in Lagos during the pandemic. Out of the 15-track album, 11 of them were touched by Nigerian producers, eight of whom are in Burna’s Spaceship Collective. With the help of Telz, P2J, Leriq, Rexxie, Jae5 and more, Burna stays consistent and doesn’t waver from his Africanness—which is what has bolstered his global appeal. (On Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift, he’s the only artist featured solo.) He’s also using this project to be a bridge-builder between the continent and the diaspora, with Diddy’s involvement as well as the likes of Timbaland, Anderson .Paak and Mario Winans sprinkling their respective sauce into the project. French producer Skread, who’s a mainstay in French hip hop, is the mind behind “23”—where Burna sings about music motivating and pushing him to succeed like Michael Jordan was with basketball.
Reactions to Twice As Tall show that the album is just what so many of us needed during these times. Take a look at a few below:
Dear Africa, you have been heavy on my mind and my heart … I’ve been trying to connect to the motherland for a minute, but I never got a chance to do it properly. When I say properly, I mean in a soulful spiritual way.
— Diddy (@Diddy) August 15, 2020
#TWICEASTALLgot the sun hittin different today !
— Wale (@Wale) August 14, 2020
Already my 3rd time listening to @burnaboy Twice As Tall.As expected it’s loaded with gems.. treasure chest vibes
— Cultural Observer (@tumabasa) August 14, 2020
“Time Flies” by @burnaboy is a VIBE with a message 
YES BURNA#TWICEASTALL pic.twitter.com/iUAT6YM9fu
— 
(@TheJessieWoo) August 14, 2020
@burnaboy This is a HUGE album!! “Twice As Tall” AVAILABLE ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS NOW!!! Includes the SMASH song “Naughty by Nature” feat @naughtybynature #burnaboygram #burnaboy #naughtybynature https://t.co/G75QnuQNGU
— Naughty by Nature (@naughtybynature) August 14, 2020
“Monsters you made”is a very important conversation that must never stop , you just never get tired of it , period .
#TWICEASTALL @burnaboy
— Kaylah (@KaylahOniwo) August 14, 2020
Burna Boy performing his hit, “Wonderful” on Jimmy Fallon’s show. 
pic.twitter.com/AD1saH9E98
— music guides me (@musicguides_) August 16, 2020
Burna’s Album is incredible, the creative freedom!
— GUILTYBEATZ (@GuiltyBeatz) August 16, 2020
Broooo I’m so proud of Burna Boy cause I’m listening again as a fan and this is why i stannnn!!! This is why I argue about him!! It’s not even normal anymore cause I’ve seen this face to face and you sef check am!!!https://t.co/OolTJPxmFh pic.twitter.com/wLDwgAcci2
— Buju (@Bujutoyourears) August 14, 2020
Well done King @burnaboy #TWICEASTALL 23 is my Fav!!!!
— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) August 14, 2020
This be music oh. No be play play. #TwiceAsTall
— M.anifest (@manifestive) August 13, 2020
The post Burna Boy’s ‘Twice As Tall’ Is Repeat Worthy appeared first on Essence.
