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Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness' fulfills his rock star dreams
Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness' fulfills his rock star dreams

Toronto Sun

time11-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Toronto Sun

Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness' fulfills his rock star dreams

Published Jul 11, 2025 • 4 minute read Burna Boy poses for a portrait on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in New York. Photo by Gary Gerard Hamilton / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account NEW YORK (AP) — While classmates dreamed of becoming teachers, doctors and professional athletes, Burna Boy was clear on his future aspirations. 'They would hand out the papers and the question would be, 'What you wanna be?' … I'd write 'rock star,'' said the Afrobeats giant. 'One of my teachers asked me, 'What do rock stars do?' I didn't really know what to say.' These days, the Grammy winner's music talks for him. Fresh off becoming the first African artist to sell out Paris' iconic Stade de France in April, Burna Boy has been on an incredible run, and hopes it continues with his new album out Friday. ''No Sign of Weakness' is really like a celebration of the fact that that I'm still here throughout all these years and all the trials and tribulations,' explained the Nigerian artist. 'I decided to intentionally make sure everyone on this project could comfortably and genuinely say they're a rock star.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Following 2023's Grammy-nominated 'I Told Them…,' this project includes blockbuster features, like legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, country hitmaker Shaboozey and hip-hop heavyweight Travis Scott. Writing on all 16 tracks, Burna relied on his standard successful creation process: record constantly, choose some songs from his vault that fit his decided theme, and then craft the project around them. He's already dropped 'Bundle by Bundle,' 'Update,' which features an interpolation of Soul II Soul's classic 'Back To Life,' 'Sweet Love' and 'TaTaTa' featuring Scott. Music from Africa has exploded globally in recent years. Regions in Africa and the Middle East reached double-digit gains in music revenue last year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In 2023, the group reported that sub-Saharan Africa was the fastest-growing music industry, with artists like Burna, Davido and Wizkid leading the way, along with Tyla, who's spread South Africa's Amapino sound. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I feel blessed. I also feel great responsibility … I'm blamed for everything, most especially, things I couldn't possibly be responsible for,' said Burna, alluding to demands in Nigeria. 'I don't vote, and I've never done it. But now, it's to the point where even that: if I don't vote, because I don't say I'll vote for this person or vote for that person, it's a problem.' But that weight of responsibility isn't felt on his eighth studio album. 'Dem Dey,' a tongue-in-cheek bop referencing his gossipy social media scandal with a Nigerian influencer which amused fans, is sure to crowd dance floors, while he and Jagger formed a dynamic duo on the Afrobeat-rock hybrid 'Empty Chairs.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'That's how I see the future of our music … music that's supposed to last, music that you can perform forever,' said Burna, who collaborated with the 81-year-old by trading ideas through WhatsApp after being connected by supermodel Naomi Campbell. 'That's where I want to be when I'm that age.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For his country-infused 'Change Your Mind' with Shaboozey, the pair plead for second chances after souring relationships. 'Here's an Igbo boy from the eastern part of Nigeria who comes to America as a young guy,' said Burna of the 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer. 'He's flourishing in the country world. If I'm not proud of that, then I don't think I can be proud of anything in life.' The Afrobeats superstar, currently featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster 'F1' movie starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, hopes the genre continues to thrive and not become a fad. But while the female artists are united, the top men have experienced friction in the past. 'We need to figure how to make our diversities into an advantage instead of a disadvantage, and that goes across — not just for Nigeria,' said Burna, whose grandfather managed Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. 'It goes for everything Black and African, because the only thing we always lack is strong organization.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While some artists have expressed ideas on unification, Burna Boy is cautious. 'When we're talking about uniting … We're talking about people who actually can help matters,' he said. 'I don't want to discuss with people that it's just going to end up a discussion, and there's not going to be any action.' For the moment, he's pressing forward. The 'Last Last' artist launched his world tour this week with North American dates beginning in November. It features a circular stage, providing fans an equally enjoyable musical experience — although he's certain he'll enjoy it more. 'This is going to sound selfish as hell — but I definitely have more fun than everybody … when I die, I want to go to a stage in Heaven,' said Burna. 'Every time I watch myself perform, I see a big smile on my face that I never see anywhere else.' Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. Editorial Cartoons Relationships Toronto & GTA World Toronto Maple Leafs

Giveon's 'Beloved' highlights the universal commonality of love and romance struggles
Giveon's 'Beloved' highlights the universal commonality of love and romance struggles

Toronto Sun

time11-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Toronto Sun

Giveon's 'Beloved' highlights the universal commonality of love and romance struggles

Published Jul 11, 2025 • 3 minute read Giveon poses for a portrait on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. Photo by Gary Gerard Hamilton / AP Giveon has been on a quest for musical and personal growth since releasing his studio debut three years ago. But the more things have changed, they've also stayed the same. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'The girls didn't stop,' he said with a sly smile. 'I don't even know if I grew in that area.' That's not necessarily bad news for the 'Heartbreak Anniversary' singer, because when it comes to emoting about the complexities of love and romance, the business of Giveon is always booming. 'I don't wanna get to a point where I start talking about the same thing, but there's so much still left to say,' he said. The seven-time Grammy nominee says plenty on his anticipated sophomore album, 'Beloved,' out Friday. He won't argue that it's another heartbreak manifesto, but he insists this project is more nuanced and introspective. 'I like to write songs about what people are thinking, but they don't want to say out loud,' said the Drake and Justin Bieber collaborator. 'Some of these experiences aren't that unique. I'll Google something random, like, 'Yo, my elbow itches on Thursday _ what is that?' Somebody'll be like, 'My elbow's itching on Thursday, too!' So, I'm like we all going through the same thing.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Following 2020's 'Give or Take,' the 13-track featureless album was crafted during a three-year period, with Giveon writing on every song. With the bulk of production handled by Sevn Thomas, Peter Lee Johnson and Matthew Burnett, the rich sounds of live musicians were recorded and songs began as jam sessions. It was a change for the 'Like I Want You' artist who generally starts his creative process by first writing over instrumental loops. Giveon's identifiable baritone voice, wrapped around relationship musings, has consistently cut through the vibe-centered and party-focused R&B that's dominated the past decade. Some fans and critics complain that vulnerability is absent among today's artists, as phrases like 'if it don't feel like 90s R&B, I don't want it' have become popular hashtags. Giveon evokes that golden era nostalgia, but you won't find him begging and pleading to lost loves in the music video rain like many popular artists of that time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If she's upset, I get on my knees and lock my fingers and be like, 'Come on, please?' She's gonna look at me crazy,' joked the 30-year-old. 'I don't even like being outside in the rain no way — I don't want to get sick.' Ahead of 'BELOVED,' Giveon released 'Twenties,' peaking at No. 6 on Billboard's hot R&B songs, and 'Rather Be.' Standout tracks include the soulful ballad 'Numb,' and 'I Can Tell' in which he desires to rescue a love interest from an unhappy relationship. 'Bleeding' — where one could argue there's some pleading — is also a highlight, as he sings, 'I'm stepping over pieces, broken heart's on the floor / Cut my skin trying to make you whole again / So, I'm bleeding for your love.' 'That's almost more than pleading. I'm damaged trying to help you get put back together … it's almost deeper and more vulnerable in ways because we could be taking the risk of being hurt as well,' he said of the song while defending his musical generation. 'It's easier to do that for something you've lost, but what if you feel like you really haven't lost anyone yet? Worth getting pneumonia over?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Currently, there are plans for a tour, and he revealed he's open to creating a joint EP with Teddy Swims, a desire made known by the pop-soul singer in a previous interview with The Associated Press. Earlier this year, they joined forces on 'Are You Even Real' which reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts, including adult R&B airplay. Giveon, who's also interested in creating short films, is adamant about one central creative principle: timelessness. He's always considering how his art will be reevaluated in the future. 'I don't speak in a trendy way — I just speak my authentic language. If you go look at a text thread from 10 years ago, 15 years ago, I'm probably speaking the exact same way. So, I think authenticity is what makes sure it's not dated,' he said. 'I don't even like to cuss in my music … that takes away from it, too. There's no cuss words on here, actually. My granny will love it.' Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.

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