March 9th was one of the windiest days of the year in Atlanta. But the violent winds were nothing in comparison to what Burna Boy had in store for the fans at State Farm Arena.
Last Fall, the Nigerian superstar announced he’d be embarking on a 16-city tour after releasing his latest album, I Told Them…, in August. The album features hit singles City Boys, which samples Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex”, and “Sittin on Top of the World”, an ode to Brandy’s Darkchild-produced 1998 song “Top of The World.” Even the cover art for I Told Them… pulls obvious inspiration from Hip-Hop’s golden age and 90s mainstream fashion.
So it came as no surprise when we Burna Boy stepped onto the stage, clad in baggy jones, an embellished leather baseball jersey, and classic wheat Timberlands. Behind him were walls of graffiti and elevated Bodega’s stage came alive with vibrant colors, a full band, and dancers.
From the moment he appeared, anticipation for the fun night ahead of us grew. His commanding presence had everyone star-struck and ready to dance. Opening with the first song on the album “I Told Them” featuring Wu-Tang member GZA, fans watched on as bass, drums, and horns vibrated throughout the arena. Burna Boy floated down the catwalk with his talented all-female dance while showing off his dynamic vocals and charismatic dance moves.
Burna Boy invited us into his world of Afrobeat, Dancehall, and reggae-infused sounds as he effortlessly moves between high-energy anthems like “Gbona” and “Big 7” to soulful ballads like the Ed Sheeran-assisted “For My Hand,” keeping the sold-out arena on their feet the whole night.
One of the highlights of the night was when fellow Nigeran rapper Phyno surprised the crowd to join Burna Boy in performing the remix of “Do I.”
But as the show drew to a close, the ‘African Giant’ had one more surprise. The energy in the venue reached a fever pitch once Toni Braxton joined him to perform “Last Last,” a catchy breakup anthem that includes vocals from the singer’s 2000 R&B hit “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Toni’s iconic vocal runs followed by the infectious beat echoed through the venue as we sang along to every word. The energy was contagious. It felt like one, huge party with my 16,000 personal, close friends.
It was an experience not to be missed—a night of music and celebration. With his mastery of seamlessly blending genres and influences while delivering powerful messages and eclectic performances, Burna Boy continues to hold his status as one of Africa’s most prominent and successful superstars.