Burna Boy Is Reversing the Pop Crossover: The FADER Interview

The second half of the 2010's has seen a significant rise in the U.S.'s interest in music coming out of West Africa. Most people would pinpoint the genesis of this curiosity as Drake's collaborations with artists like Wizkid — though their work together also sparked internet-wide debates on Americans' misinterpretation of genres coming out of West Africa and throughout the Caribbean. Misunderstandings aside, these conversations and newfound interest helped artists like Wizkid and Davido land deals with American record labels, opening the door for collaborations with stateside superstars and for some of their biggest hits to be in regular rotation on urban radio. Now, in 2019, with box office hits like Black Panther and The Lion King featuring a plethora of African talent on their soundtracks, artists who have long been major draws on the continent are getting their shots at stardom in the U.S.

One of the biggest stars to emerge from this steady momentum is Nigeria's Burna Boy who, unlike many of his peers, is a master at not only blending sounds of West Africa, but also incorporating elements of dancehall and hip-hop to create afro-fusion, a sub-genre that he's found himself the face of.

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