On Monday night (September 12), Burna Boy appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” where he performed a lively rendition of his latest single “Last Last,” a Toni Braxton-inspired track that has gained widespread success around the world. He gave viewers a small preview of what he can expect the next time he performs on stage with his backing band.
Aside from his brief performance, Burna Boy spoke with Fallon about a variety of topics. The topics covered included the above-mentioned song and his most recent body of work, Love, Damini. A few times during the presentation, he explained to the audience the origins of his now legendary name:
This may sound strange, but I used to illustrate comic books and things like that (laughs). Even though it doesn’t look like it, I used to draw comic books and copy Spider-Man and Superman. After a while, I wanted my own. It was my dream to be my own superhero, so I could draw myself as a superhero wearing a cape and everything. The only name that came to my mind when I was trying to come up with one was Burna Boy (laughs).
Love, Damini, released in July, contains 19 tracks, as well as additional contributions from artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, J Hus, Vict0ny, Popcaan, Blxst, Kehlani, Ed Sheeran, J Balvin, and Khalid. It climbed both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums charts to reach the number two position, proving a critical and commercial success. As well as “Last Last,” Love, Damini also featured well-received drops, including “Kilometre” and “For My Hand.”
Earlier this week, PnB Rock dropped his new single, “Luv Me Again.” The single marked PnB Rock’s first release as an independent artist, and it was produced by D.A Got That Dope. The Philly-born singer’s new release features an airy, guitar-led beat that serves as a perfect backdrop to his love-struck lyrics:
“If you haven’t heard, I just released my very first independent single across ALL platforms!” says the artist on Instagram. Thanks to my fans and supporters, I have received such love that cannot be described in words. We’re going to the moon with this stuff, no kizzy.
As part of his SoundCloud Daze project, PnB Rock shared a 12-song tribute to the pivotal era that included features from Tennisboywill, Yung Fazo, Pasto Flocco, and Iayze. Prior to this, PnB Rock released a Christmas EP called 2 Get You Thru The Rain in December. A viral single, “HIGH,” preceded the album, which had six tracks and featured Young Thug and Lil Baby.
A new studio LP from Megan Thee Stallion released last month titled Traumazine. This album includes additional contributions from Latto, Sauce Walka, Dua Lipa, Future, Jhené Aiko, Lucky Daye, Rico Nasty, and more. Houston emcee Houston delivers a new visual from his album for “Ungrateful” a collaboration with Key Glock which is dedicated to anyone who is unappreciative of his love and loyalty:
In the accompanying video clip for “Ungrateful,” Megan Thee Stallion is seen in lingerie singing her rhymes from the comfort of her bedroom. Then she picks up Key Glock, who raps his verse despite heavy rains during a funeral she attends.
A recent appearance from Megan Thee Stallion revealed some of the more emotional aspects of Traumazine:
My feeling is that it is the softer side. You know, a side of things most people never see. It seems like we are so tough all of the time as female artists and especially as Black women. My feeling is that we’re always working hard in our music. In a world where we’re taught not to be too vulnerable and open, and not to involve too many people in our business. However, I feel that sometimes the world needs a little more of that.”
It was announced in May that Ty Dolla $ign has launched EZMNY Records, as well as that Leon Thomas is the first artist he has signed to the label. In Thomas’ latest music video, released today (Sept. 2), the duo teams up for the song, “Love Jones.” “Love Jones” is the second single off Thomas’ highly anticipated debut album, Electric Dusk, which will be released later this year. In this song, Thomas pays homage to a classic California love story:
Described by Thomas as an amalgamation of everything he loves about living in California, the video is a celebration of everything he loves about the state. This concept was made even more authentic and real with the help of a legend from L.A. like Ty Dolla $ign.”
Thomas is the second artist to have released a single under this label after his first single, “X-Rated” with Benny The Butcher. The past few years have seen him produce and write albums for several Grammy-nominated artists, including J. Cole, Post Malone, Ariana Grande,Giveon, Snoh Aalegra,Rick Ross, Kehlani, Ella Mai, and more. A recent example of Thomas’ creativity can be found in Drake’s global chart-topping album Certified Lover Boy, where he wrote and produced tracks like “Pipe Down,” “Love All” by JAY-Z, and “In the Bible” alongside Lil Durk and Giveon.
This is the official start of Lil Baby season. A new documentary on rapper Lil Baby, Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby, was released last week, giving viewers an insight into the star’s life and career. Lil Baby follows up recent loose singles “Frozen,” “In A Minute,” and “U-Digg” with a new track titled “Detox,” which may indicate a new studio album is coming soon.
The sophomore studio LP My Turn by Lil Baby was released two years ago, and it contained 20 songs and features from Future, 42 Dugg, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, and Rylo Rodriguez. Despite the project’s critical and commercial success, it failed to reach number one on the Billboard 200, despite selling 197,000 CD-equivalents during its first week. Several months later, a deluxe edition of the four-times Platinum effort arrived with seven additional songs, including the smash hit “We Paid” and Grammy-nominated “The Bigger Picture.”
As part of the Voice of the Heroes album, Lil Baby partnered with fellow hip hop frontrunner Lil Durk, who collaborated with artists such as Young Thug, Meek Mill, Future, and Rod Wave. In addition to topping the chart with 150,000 equivalent album units, The Voice of the Heroes also topped the Billboard chart, as well. Both parties received Platinum plaques for their efforts.
He has quickly established himself as one of the most sought after featured artists across a wide range of genres apart from his own work. Among the songs he has appeared on since The Voice of the Heroes hit the ground are EST Gee “5500 Degrees,” H.E.R. “Find A Way,” Meek Mill “Sharing Locations,” Drake “Girls Want Girls,” Kanye West “Hurricane,” Nardo Wick “Me Or Sum,” Ed Sheeran “2step (Remix),” Nicki Minaj “Do We Have A Problem?,” and DJ Khaled “BIG TIME.”
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