Celebrating 5 years of Burna Boy’s ‘Exterior’

‘Exterior’ got here off the again of a disappointing sophomore album that didn’t place him for the success he desired. Circa 2018, Burna Boy was an artist whose expertise was indubitable however profession and standing roamed an Afrobeats purgatory area. He was a star however not a celebrity within the ranks of Wizkid, Davido, and Olamide which was the place he craved to be.

For Burna Boy, it wasn’t a query of expertise or skill as he had persistently proven he possessed these in abundance. It was extra a query of his skill to achieve the higher stage amidst a love/hate relationship he shared with the business.

At that time in his profession what he wanted went past simply good music. Clearly, the acceptance of followers was not sufficient to get the large chip off his shoulders. What he wanted was one track that will drive his fame far and huge, and lift his profile to the extent he craved. Burna Boy wanted luck and ‘Exterior’ got here bearing items.

The album delivered 13 songs which 5 years later stay a number of the greatest data he has made. When he launched ‘Exterior’, Burna Boy was nonetheless largely a Dancehall artist whose music gleans from Carrebean Dancehall, Ajegunle’s Ragga type, and Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat.

Topically, the album was private because it did not discover the common topic issues of girls, cash, fame, and pleasure. For probably the most half, Burna Boy talked about himself.

He examined his actuality which introduced him as a misfit within the mainstream of Nigerian mainstream music. He shared reminiscences of his experiences as a child who grew up within the streets of Port Harcourt in addition to retaining the aware a part of his artistry.

The album achieved sonic coherence in a manner only some Nigerian artists might muster at that time. Within the ridiculously good document ‘Heaven’s Gate’ the place he featured Lily Allen, he delivered what continues to be one of many best performances in Afrobeats.

On the tracks ‘The place I am From’ and ‘Satan In California’, he showcased penmanship that none of his contemporaries might replicate. And on ‘YE’ he displayed an easy skill to make music in a manner no different artist might match.

He made an effort to offer the Nigerian viewers one thing to bop to with ‘Rock Your Physique’ whereas attracting worldwide listeners with ‘Heaven’s Gate’. But it was the Afrobeat document ‘YE’ which is essentially a freestyle missing within the industrial enchantment that resonated most with listeners.

The album obtained crucial acclaim however from all indications, it wasn’t destined for industrial success till woman luck performed a significant function. American megastar Kanye West launched an EP in the identical month he referred to as ‘YE’, and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.

5 years after its launch, ‘Exterior’ ranks excessive in Burna Boy’s catalogs, and a case may be made for it as a basic.

Is it Burna Boy’s most necessary album?

For its super career-altering impact, this author is obliged to say sure. With out ‘Exterior’ and ‘YE’, there won’t have been the present model of Burna Boy – the world-renowned, Grammy-winning Afrobeats exporting megastar.