Watch Burna Boy play “Gbona”, “Wetin Man Go Do”, “Dangote” and “Ye” at the Tiny Desk.
More from NPR Music:
Tiny Desk Concerts: https://www.npr.org/tinydesk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nprmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nprmusic
Nov. 18, 2019 | Bobby Carter — While preparing for Burna Boy’s Tiny Desk appearance, it was evident early on that his performance would be strictly business. After exchanging pleasantries on the phone with his mother and manager, Bose Ogulu, she made it clear there wouldn’t be time for much of anything else. “Burna has been working really hard so please bear with us,” she told me. “The band will arrive well before him. Let me know the latest time at which he can arrive.”
The Nigerian singer and songwriter is one of the biggest African artists in the world. He’s also a pioneer of Afro-fusion which incorporates sonics and influences from a myriad of genres, laid on an Afrobeat foundation. The sound has been inescapable this year. The man born Damini Ogulu has been touring the world for the majority of 2019 and has at least 10 songs in the current nightclub rotation. Beyoncé took notice and offered him a place on The Lion King soundtrack, The Lion King: The Gift.
Sandwiched between two sold-out concerts in Washington D.C., his Tiny Desk performance offers something relatively different from what we’re used to seeing at his rowdy stage shows. He’s more reflective here and restrained, allowing his songwriting to shine. In the spirit of one of his heroes, Fela Kuti, he weaves through highlights from his breakout album, African Giant, that are liable to move your body as much as your social consciousness.
We received thousands of entries to this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, our annual search for the next great undiscovered artist to play a Tiny Desk concert. Set your reminder to join us for Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf LIVE on Thursdays at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT to get a sneak peek into our judges’ favorite entries before we reveal the 2021 Contest winner. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy2PCKGkKRVZjSRYrnesjW4YwSyUtJyJy
I swear to god, I can just listen to Burna Boy ALL DAY!!! He is one of the few musical artists who sound exactly like his recordings, even better live…omg!!!
I would love in this man’s energy for a good while. Then write a note saying I’m leaving just for him to make music. That heart break gets the job down every-time “oshun”
We received thousands of entries to this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, our annual search for the next great undiscovered artist to play a Tiny Desk concert. Set your reminder to join us for Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf LIVE on Thursdays at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT to get a sneak peek into our judges’ favorite entries before we reveal the 2021 Contest winner. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy2PCKGkKRVZjSRYrnesjW4YwSyUtJyJy
I love how he sang all the songs without the original songs just beats indeed Burna boy is raw talented.
This guy is afrocentric I love so much
❤️
One of my favorite NPR performances. He sounds exactly the same as the studio versions
Bass player and backup singer are from heaven
10:50 YEYEYEYE
I swear to god, I can just listen to Burna Boy ALL DAY!!! He is one of the few musical artists who sound exactly like his recordings, even better live…omg!!!
Amazing
"Dangote" is not the same without the Fela Kuti horns. Still my favorite Burna Boy song.
SO REAL. SO GOOD.
make una bring baddo
We need wizkid,man
Imagine Burna Boy and Coffee producing a song together?
(Is there any yet?)
Trop bien merci pour ce partage.
Shout out the ban! Y’all didn’t skip a beat. Nice session
I would love in this man’s energy for a good while. Then write a note saying I’m leaving just for him to make music. That heart break gets the job down every-time “oshun”
The young lady in the background is giving me life. Jam on sis!
The backgroundsinger is giving me that Lucky Dube vibe. Those woman where a whole mood
The background sister reminds of my daughter sooo much.
Love that they surrounded by love
2022 and this still slaps hard. Big shout to Christina Matovu too. Girl you killed it
<3