Burna Boy has made history as the first African artist to achieve multiple albums surpassing 1 billion streams each on Spotify, with Love, Damini and African Giant. On Sunday, December 29, 2024, African Giant became the first African album of the 2010s to cross the milestone of 1 billion streams on the platform
African Giant is Burna Boy’s fourth studio album, released on July 26, 2019, under Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records, and Warner Music. The album blends Afrobeats, Afrobeat, dancehall, pop, and hip hop, with production led by Kel-P and contributions from Benjamz, Dre Skull, and Skrillex. It features collaborations with Jorja Smith, Damian Marley, Angelique Kidjo, and others. Singles like “On the Low” and “Killin Dem” earned significant awards, and “Anybody” was performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Critics praised the album’s cohesiveness and Burna Boy’s authenticity. It appeared in year-end lists from Billboard, Complex, and Pitchfork, and won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards, while receiving a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album. The African Giant Returns tour supported the album, with concerts across North America, Europe, and Africa.
Thematically, Burna Boy tackles Nigeria’s political climate, corruption, and societal struggles. Songs like “Dangote” highlight poverty, while “Another Story” critiques colonialism. The title reflects Burna Boy’s confidence, inspired by his Coachella outburst over font size. The album artwork incorporates Nigerian cultural elements and personal history.
Singles like “Gbona,” “On the Low,” and “Killin Dem” gained critical acclaim and commercial success, supported by visually compelling music videos. The album’s impact, blending meaningful lyrics with innovative Afro-fusion sounds, solidified Burna Boy’s global reputation.
