Burna Boy's 10 Best African Collaborations

At midnight tonight, Burna Boy's Twice As Tall album officially drops! As we get into it, here's a quick compilation of the Best Burna Boy Songs in the form of collaborations across Africa.

Burna Boy is set to release his fifth album 'Twice As Tall' on August 14th. | Photo by Daniel Obasi for NY Times

Burna Boy has always been big on pan-African collaborations. From the early days of his career to date, he's always reached across genres and eras for his musical collaborators.

This list is therefore dedicated to that part of him, but especially on the African front (on features), where he's often tapped on account of his talent and versatility.

In the event of Twice As Tall which drops in a matter of hours, these are some of the finest Burna Boy collaborations across the continent.

M.anifest ft. Burna Boy – Tomorrow (2019)

In many circles, M.anifest is considered as a GOAT-tier rapper and very often he proves it on his records. "Tomorrow," a love-led featuring a classic hook from Burna Boy, was the first single off the rapper's Afrobeats-heavy EP The Gamble. Over a laidback beat, M.anifest and Burna convinces a love interest they'll love her (today) like there was no tomorrow.

Harmonize, Burna Boy & Diamond Platnumz – Kainama (2019)

When Davido jumped on the remix of Diamond Platnumz's "Number One," little did he know he was opening the door to what would become a fruitful relationship between Tanzanian and Nigerian artists. Hotshot Bongo Flava act, Harmonize's "Kainama" is one such proof, a catchy record created for the dancefloors; as always, Burna Boy delivers a standout contribution, fitting seamlessly alongside the other artists.

Shatta Wale ft. Burna Boy – Hosanna (2017)

Very few people know Dancehall titans Shatta Wale and Burna Boy have collaborated before. "Hosanna," released early 2017 –a year before Burna's global domination– was a glorious reflection of the hardwork both artists have put in and how far they had to go by God's grace.

Sarkodie ft. Burna Boy & AKA – Special Someone (2013)

Sarkodie has the uncanny ability to create timeless love records and "Special Someone" is no doubt a member of that Sark class. Calling upon the quality of a Burna Boy hook and an AKA verse, the Ghanaian wordsmith curated a classic song. As for Burna Boy, the hook on "Special Someone" is arguably among his best ten.

Cassper Nyovest ft. M.I. & Burna Boy – Doc Shebeleza (Remix) [2015]

Circa 2014, South African rapper Cassper Nyovest had one of the biggest songs on the continent. He'd featured legendary American MC Talib Kweli on another remix but he just had to feature two of Nigeria's sickest with the flows didn't he? M.I. and Burna Boy spazzed on the remix, more so the latter, a great feat considering he isn't really a rapper.

Juls ft. Burna Boy – Gwarn (2017)

Ghanaian producer Juls is credited as a foremost figure in the Afrobeats to the World movement due to his work with several African artists, from Mr. Eazi to Burna Boy. "Gwarn," his effort with the latter, features the Banku sound he's best known for, setting a lush landscape for Burna's intimate singing about a lady who wants him "to leave everything [he] do and come and hang with her."

Kabza De Small ft. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Cassper Nyovest & Madumane – Sponono (2020)

Amapiano is right now considered among the most lucrative African sounds and Kabza De Small is one of its pioneers. This year, he put out I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet And Dust album, a multi hour listen dubbed a "creative landmark" by music journo Ayo Dennis Peter, and includes collaborators from around Africa.

"Sponono," the infectious hit single, pairs Nigerian acts Wizkid and Burna Boy with SA's Cassper Nyovest and Madumane. Given Burna Boy's famed versatility, it's no wonder he slot perfect into this record and was perhaps the best feature.

AKA ft. Da L.E.S, JR & Burna Boy – All Eyes On Me (2014)

Before Burna Boy began casting his sights further outwards, he'd collaborated with a number of South African artists who found a hitmaker in Burna.

Circa 2014, Burna Boy had earned a reputation as a master of anthemic hooks, and "All Eyez On Me," follows in the tradition of Summer raps: commanding but easy-on-the-ears bars, a catchy hook and bouncy production. When Burna Boy dropped that hook for Eyes, he asserted his status as Africa's versatile king, home anywhere.

Sauti Sol ft. Burna Boy – Afrikan Star (2019)

In 2019, Kenyan group Sauti Sol collaborated across Africa, touching base with talents from countries as diverse as Nigeria and Tanzania.

One of the standouts of that album–Afrikan Sauce– is the Burna-assisted "Afrikan Star," a song which features the delicate plucking of guitar strings and sentimental songwriting. Burna Boy's at home with the Sauti boys, and their powers fuse admirably.

Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode & Burna Boy – Jerusalema (Remix) [2020]

Master KG, with "Skeleton Dance" and then "Jerusalema," scored two massive hits in Nigeria. In homes, on dance floors, and even our headphones, we were taken with the philosophical perspective in KG's music, the therapeutic quality of the House production.

Burna Boy, never one to let a good song off, jumped on the remix of "Jerusalama." Upon release, Nigerians and South Africans went crazy for the song, even wiping Burna's slate clean in SA, where he'd been in a politically-induced ruckus with some members of the country.

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