The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Burna Boy

  • From inside, Burna Boy looks Outside

    Burna boy has been one of the most consistent and prominent artistes in recent times on the Nigerian cum African music scene. His third studio album titled OUTSIDEis an attestation to the above fact. Although personally, I’d rate the body of work 8/10, the diversity of sounds is impressive. I’m most impressed by the music production and it’s not surprising because Burna Boy has always been a connoisseur of picking great beats. Burna Boy’s lyrical prowess aren’t dimmed on this project either.

    This album sums up Burna Boy’s retrospect of his life back in Nigeria and how events over time has seen him loose friends on his rise to prominence. This is his reintroduction to the world as an artiste who is poised to go beyond the negativity of his background and prove that he is worth the hype.

    The first track off the album is “More Life”, one of the songs that Burna Boy submitted for Drake’s last album of same title. The song explores his desire to enjoy and get more out of life against all negativity. He then introduces the world to his birth place, the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers state in “City Vibrations” where he talks about the different activities that define the city like Bole (roasted plantain) and Fish. This song will definitely have the city vibrating. The tempo switches with the African percussions and lead riffs of “Koni Baje” a prophetic declaration that his ever blazing musical fire will never die out.

    The first feature off the compilation comes next and J-Husbrings his fervor to complement Burna boy on “Sekkle Down” a romantic dancehall joint that gets you in that party mood. Next up is “Where I’m From” a song that gives further insight on life in Nigeria. This is a pretty relatable song for most youths in Africa. The second featured artiste is Lilly Allen on “Heaven’s Gate”. This song is a blend of afro and what Nigerians call an “Indian vibe” and Lilly totally came through with her high pitched adlibs and verse. “Ye” sees Burna tap into his connection to the Afrobeats legendFela biting off “Sorrow, Tears and Blood”.

    Burna invites Chopstixx on the production of “Giddem” a bouncy dancehall rhythm. “Streets Of Africa” is an animated trap song that portrays the happiness that resonates in the spirit of Africa. Julz and Burna boy link up in style on “Rock Your Body” which was one of my favorite singles of 2017. The shakers and bassline will definitely have you rocking on the dance floor. “Devil In California” is pure R&B awesomeness. “Calm Down” sees J5 and Burna Boy create a minimalist dancehall masterpiece. “Outside” the title track features U.K. singer, Mabel on an EDM song which further exposes Burna Boy’s already undisputed versatility.

    OUTSIDE was release on the 26th of January under Atlantic Records and is available on every music platform.

    This album definitely a great update to my already buoyant Burna Boy playlist. I hope you enjoy this album as much as I did.

     

  • Burna Boy’s ‘Outside’ charts on Billboard

    Burna Boy’s ‘Outside’ charts on Billboard

    NIGERIAN reggae and dancehall singer, Burna Boy, is currently in high spirits as his album, ‘Outside’, has made its debut on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart at the Number three spot.

    The album was released via Atlantic Records and Bad Habit on January 26 to critical acclaim. The 13 track project was released after singles, ‘Sekkle Down’ ft. J Hus, ‘Koni Baje’, and ‘Heaven’s Gate’ ft. Lily Allen.

    The singer describes the feat as an outstanding accomplishment as this is his second album to feature on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart.

    His debut album, ‘L.I.F.E’ peaked at number 7 on August 31, 2013.

    Other tracks in the album include ‘More Life’, ‘City Vibration’, ‘Where I’m From’, ‘Ye’ as well as ‘Giddem’.

    Burna Boy is a Nigerian based Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and performing artiste signed to his record label Spaceship Entertainment. Born Damini Ogulu in Port Harcourt to parents Bosede and Samuel Ogulu, he is the only son and eldest of three children.

    Burna Boy founded and led a band called “Def Code” in his high school days at Corona. He headlined a performance at the national stadium as one of the highlights of the 50th anniversary of corona schools.

    The quest for knowledge took him outside the shores of Nigeria to the United Kingdom to study Media Technology at the University of Sussex from 2008 – 2009 and Oxford Brooke’s University from 2009 – 2010 to study Media Communications and Culture. Immediately after that, he did a one year internship with Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt before officially launching his professional music career when he was  signed on to Aristocrat records, prompting a permanent relocation to Lagos.

  • Burna Boy thrills at London album release party

    Burna Boy thrills at London album release party

    Days after holding a listening party in Lagos, dancehall artiste, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, gave a thrilling experience to a number of his fans in a release party at The Curtain Hotel, London.

    He treated his fans to performances from songs off the forthcoming album titled ‘Outside’, which came out on all digital platforms under Atlantic Records.

    The event which was hosted by Eddie Kadi of BBC 1Xtra was attended by celebrities like Wizkid, J Hus, Tiwa Savage, Mr. Eazi, and Mabel to name a few.

    J Hus and Mabel joined Burna Boy on stage to perform their feature tracks ‘Sekkle Down’ and ‘Outside’ to the excitement of the fans.

    Days before, the artiste treated selected guests, close friends and family to an exclusive first listening.

    The private listening party, which took place at WéRé House in Lekki, Lagos, was compered by Beat FM’s Douglas Jekan who led a cheerful Burna Boy through a series of questions about the album.

    The young artiste said every song on the album was inspired by something in his life, revealing ‘Where I’m from’ as his favourite and most personal song. He explained how a trip to Port Harcourt led to ‘City Vibration’ and recounted his experience with Drake that led to ‘More Life’, the album’s opener.

    Signed to Spaceship Entertainment, Burna Boy founded and led a band called ‘Def Code’ in his high school days at Corona Schools.

  • Burna Boy arraigned, granted bail

    Burna Boy arraigned, granted bail

    The Lagos State Police, on Monday arraigned Dance hall and hip hop musician, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy was yesterday arraigned for alleged robbery of his colleague, Abiye David Jombo aka Mr 2Kay.

    Burna Boy is facing a two count charge of ‘accessory after the fact’ and ‘conspiracy’ preferred against him by the Police Prosecutor, Inspector N. Peters.

    During proceedings yesterday, Burna Boy who was dressed in T-shirt and blue jean trousers pleaded not guilty to the two count charge of ‘accessory after the fact’ and ‘conspiracy.

    The Prosecutor, Inspector Peters said Burna Boy did not disclose to security operatives what he knew about the armed robbery which took place on the 22nd of October.

    Bright Idahosa, counsel to Burna Boy, asked the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms.

    The prosecutor did not oppose the application.

    However lawyers for Eko Hotel and Suites and Mr 2Kay’s record label Grafton Entertainment opposed the bail application while insisting that Burna Boy is a key witness in a sister case where the main suspects in the armed robbery case against Mr 2Kay are standing trial.

    Counsel to Eko Hotel and Suites, Tayo Reju opposed bail for the defendant. Reju argued that if  Burna Boy was granted bail, it would jeopardize the sister case at a Lagos State Magistrate Court.

    After listening to both parties, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi granted Burna Boy bail of N100, 000 with two responsible sureties in the like sum.

    She thereafter, adjourned the matter till December 29 for commencement of trial.

    The musician was whisked away in an ash coloured Toyota Sienna.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, in a statement last Friday had alleged that the suspects were paid N50,000 before the attack on Mr. 2Kay and another N50,000 was paid directly by Burna boy after the job was done.

     

  • Robbery saga: Burna Boy submits self to Police

    Robbery saga: Burna Boy submits self to Police

    NIGERIAN dancehall star, Damini Ogulu popularly known as ‘Burna Boy’, on Friday submitted himself to the Lagos State Police Command to state his side of the story on his alleged involvement in a robbery attack on a fellow artiste, Mr. 2kay.

    He was subsequently arrested, interrogated and detained and is expected to be charged to court on Monday alongside four members of the gang earlier arrested.

    Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, after the interrogation, said the State Police Command has zero tolerance for all forms of crime and would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable in any criminal offence perpetrated in the state.

    “There would be no sacred cows. This Command is poised to ensure that every resident can feel safe wherever they are and carry out their businesses without fear or favour. Anyone therefore found to be involved in this case would be made to face the law to clear his or her name or face prosecution,” Imohimi said.

    The pop musician, who was declared wanted by the Lagos Police Command in connection with the robbery attack on another popular musician, Mr. 2kay at Eko Hotel and Suites early last month, reported to the Command headquarters in Ikeja at about 5pm.

    The gang leader of the suspected robbers, Tunmise Omotore, had confessed on how they disguised as room service to rob Mr. 2kay at Eko Hotel and Suites on the instruction of Burba Boy’s Road Manager, Joel Kantiock.

  • Police detain Burna Boy, to arraign him Monday

    Police detain Burna Boy, to arraign him Monday

    The Police in Lagos on Friday confirmed the arrest of a musical artist, Damini Ogulu alias Burna Boy, who was accused by a colleague, Mr. 2Kay of being behind his attack some months back.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, had last month declared Burna Boy wanted after parading his manager and some of the suspects who allegedly fleeced and beat up 2Kay inside his room at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

    The gang leader of the suspected robbers, Tunmise Omotore, had confessed on how they disguised as room service to rob Mr. 2kay at Eko Hotel and Suites on the instruction of Burba Boy’s Road Manager, Joel Kantiock.

     

    According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police (SP), Burna Boy turned himself in at about 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

    Oti said: “He was subsequently arrested, interrogated and detained and would have his day in court on Monday, December 18.”

     

  • Burna Boy still on the run – Police

    Burna Boy still on the run – Police

    Nigeria Singer and Dancehall star Damini Ogulu a.k.a Burna Boy, is on the run over alleged robbery and battery.

    The Songwriter was alleged to have battered and robbed his fellow musician Mr 2Kay, at gun point in his hotel room at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, recently during the “Buckwyld N Breathless” concert

    The Lagos State Acting Police Commissioner Edgal Imohimi had on Monday declared reggae-dance –hall singer wanted.

    Imohimi at a news conference said that four armed robbers carried out the attack and detectives were able to arrest one of their girlfriend identified as ‘Matejero’.

    He said that during interrogation, the robbers confessed that they were hired by Burna boy through his manager, Joel Kantiock,  who was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    They confessed to receiving a part payment of N50, 000 before the job and another N50, 000 was paid to the robbers directly by Burna Boy when the job was done.

    Burna Boy’s  record label Spaceship Entertainment on Tuesday issued a statement saying that the singer honoured the police invitation on Monday and he has been cooperating with the police.

    The police command however debunked the statement by his (Burna boy’s) management that he honoured their invitation on Monday.

    A statement released on Wednesday by police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) said “Burna Boy” is yet to report himself to the police and still on the run contrary to reports making rounds on the internet that the musician has honoured police Invitation.

    “The command would also like to inform the public that only Burna Boy’s father; one Samuel Ogulu visited the investigating Police Officer (IPO) in-charge of the case with the promise to bring Burna Boy before the police.

    “ The Command however uses this medium to urge Burna Boy’s father and relatives to do right by bringing the musician and turning him in to the law catches up with him.

    The command also assured that justice will be done.

  • Burna Boy craves collabo with Yossou N’dour, Angelique Kidjo

    Burna Boy craves collabo with Yossou N’dour, Angelique Kidjo

    Hip hop artiste Burna Boy has his eyes of singing with two African music greats. Taking to Twitter over the weekend, Burna Boy expressed his desire to sing with Yossou N’dour and Angelique Kidjo.

    “I’ve bin tryna do a song with Yossou N’dour but I can’t find my man anywhere,”  Burna Boy, whose single, ‘Rock Your Body’ is currently rocking the airwaves, wrote in a tweet on Saturday.

    “Bin trying for 2years now lol.”

    Yossou N’dour, a celebrated Senegalese musician. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine described him as, “perhaps the most famous singer alive” in Senegal and much of Africa. He was also Senegal’s Minister of Tourism from April 2012 to September 2013.

    Not long after that, he tweet his desire to sing with the Beninese Grammy singer, writing, “I been trying to work with Angelique Kidjo for ages too.”

  • Burna Boy plans live show

    Some December 17 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy will be raising the roof in a live concert tagged The Burna Boy Show.

    Powered by Bavent Street Live, the concert will see the Afro fusion king thrill the audience with his array of songs.

    According to the organisers of the show, Burna Boy’s versatility, stage presence and prowess will be witnessed in full display , also with a lot of surprise performances from around the world all lined up for #TheBurnaBoyShow!

    The artiste has been described as an Afro-fusion and Dancehall recording songwriter and performer.

    Born to Bosede and Samuel Ogulu in Port Harcourt July 2, 1991, Burna Boy rose to prominence in 2012 following the release of Like to Party, the first single off his debut album L.I.F.E – Leaving an Impact for Eternity, which was released in 2013.

    In November 2015, he released his sophomore album titled On A Spaceship to rave reviews. In 2016, he released an EP titled Redemption.

    Bavent Street Live is an entertainment business company with a focus on live concerts, talent bookings and management, and corporate events coordination.

  • Burna Boy gets accolade, debunks ban in U.S

    Burna Boy gets accolade, debunks ban in U.S

    Reggae/Dancehall artiste, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, last Friday, was presented with an award of honour for ‘The Most Student Friendly Artiste in Nigeria’, by the students of University of Uyo.

    The artiste who couldn’t receive the honour because he was held up in Port-Harcourt, extended his appreciation to the students of the tertiary institution, He uploaded the award with the note, “Thank you University of Uyo for this Honor. I heard people came out in thousands hoping to see me but I got stuck in Port-Harcourt. You all mean the world to me; many thanks.”

    The artiste has debunked the report that a US Supreme Federal Court in New York reportedly slammed an injunction against him, preventing him from performing at any event venue or any form of recording anywhere in USA and Canada for the time being unless he settles with the New York- based promotion company, Vibesland Entertainment, LLC, founded by promoter/producer, Niyi Fatogun.

    A statement by Burna Boy’s team reads; “Burna Boy fans and the general public are hereby informed that Burna’s current US tour and all upcoming shows are going forward as scheduled and that any website or article containing information to the contrary is patently false and misleading.