Burna Boy has announced the title of his next album: ‘No Sign of Weakness.’ A short snippet of a new song, ‘Empty Chairs,’ accompanied the announcement.
The song lyrics suggest the artist is sticking to his bold and confident artistry and lifestyle. The lines about empty chairs at his shows, alluding to his sold-out concerts, were a testament to his current standing in the music industry.
This announcement marks a milestone in Burna Boy’s career. “No Sign of Weakness” is poised to be his seventh studio album, a feat only a few artists have achieved within a short span.
A brief timeline of Burna Boy’s discography
L.I.F.E (2013): Burna Boy’s debut studio album introduced the world to his blend of Afrobeat and contemporary sounds, which he coined Afro-fusion. He created hit songs like ‘Abeg Abeg’, ‘Yawadey’, ‘Run My Race’, ‘Tonight’, and ‘Like to Party.’
On A Spaceship (2015): Building on the foundation laid by his first album, Burna Boy expanded his sonic palette sound.
Redemption EP (2016): This collection of tracks showcases Burna Boy’s versatility and growth as an artist. It includes ‘Pree Me’ and ‘Mary Jane.’
Outside (2018): A critical and commercial success, this album propelled Burna Boy to international stardom. It introduced fans to songs like ‘Street of Africa,’ ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ ‘Rock your Body,’ and ‘Ye,’ which launched Burna Boy to his international audience.
African Giant (2019): Riding on his popularity with ‘Ye’ and self-acclamations as the African Giant, Burna Boy released this 2019 album, which cemented his status as a global music icon. Tracks like ‘Gbona,’ ‘Dangote,’ ‘Killin Dem,’ and ‘On the Low’ became anthems. This also marked the first time he featured international artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Damian Marley, and Jorja Smith. This album also gave Burna Boy his first Grammy recognition.
Twice as Tall (2020): Following his loss to Angelique Kidjo at the 2020 Grammys, Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, “Twice as Tall.” He adopted a more socially conscious persona to appeal more to international critics, using the album to tackle social issues while honouring legends.
The album had production backing from American artist and label Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and featured Chris Martins from legendary UK band Coldplay. Its fusion of tradition and modernity and its global appeal and social consciousness made it a worthy recipient of the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album.
Love, Damini (2022): This deeply personal album explored various facets of the artist’s life and career. Burna Boy released songs like ‘Common Person,’ ‘Kilometer,’ ‘It’s Plenty,’ ‘For My Hand,’ and the album’s lead single, ‘Last Last,’ a heartbreak anthem in which Burna Boy expresses his feelings about a failed relationship.
It samples Toni Braxton’s ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough,’ giving it a nostalgic and melancholic undertone. ‘Last Last’ became a hit, both in Nigeria and internationally.
I Told Them (2023): The latest addition to Burna Boy’s discography continued his exploration of different musical styles. Burna Boy took Afro-fusion to another level on this album as he went hip-hop. 2023 was the year the genre turned 50 years, and Burna Boy, inspired by hip-hop, collaborated with some of the genre’s top artists and legends to create a one-of-a-kind body of work. The album had anthems like ‘City Boys,’ ‘Big 7,’ and ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ where he featured 21 Savage.
With each release, Burna Boy has pushed the boundaries of African music and incorporated elements of various genres while staying true to his roots. The upcoming album, ‘No Sign of Weakness,’ promises to be another chapter in his illustrious career.
Details of the upcoming album are to be announced in the coming weeks.
