Grammy-winning Afrofusion sensation Burna Boy continues his international push with a new single titled Tatata, featuring American rapper Travis Scott. Part of his ongoing global rebrand, the track is intended to blend African beats with Western hip-hop flair. But despite the hype surrounding the collaboration, Tatata ultimately underwhelms, falling short of what fans might have expected from such a high-profile pairing.
The track is a playful, upbeat fusion of Afrofusion and trap, built on a lighthearted narrative: a man so captivated by a woman’s figure that he nearly crashes his car. Burna Boy’s verse captures this nonchalant spirit, as he raps: “I nearly bash my car/ because of this of your back/ The road I dey go dey front, but I was looking back/ ‘Cause of yansh, all for the sake of yansh/ I don calculate am kpa”.
Travis Scott contributes his signature hypnotic flow in a verse, singing “She sips me like codeine, becomes my fan like Only. Yes, my money is as big as your nyash…”
Despite its catchy beats, the overall impact is underwhelming. With two global stars at the helm, the song surprisingly lacks the punch and chemistry one might anticipate. Rather than becoming a career-defining cultural moment, it feels like a missed opportunity. Ironically, in light of Burna Boy’s growing reputation for musical depth and complexity, Tatata comes across as more of a novelty tune—its name sounding better suited to a collaboration with local comic artists like Portable or Speed Darlington than with a Grammy-winning American rapper.
Still, Burna Boy isn’t slowing down. He has announced that the visuals for Tatata will be released on Friday, continuing the rollout for his much-anticipated 2025 album, No Sign of Weakness, due out on July 11. The album will feature 16 tracks, four of which—Tatata, Bundle by Bundle, Update, and Sweet Love—have already been released.
Burna Boy’s new musical direction clearly reflects a desire to reach international audiences. Since the release of African Giant in 2019, he has increasingly fused Afrobeats with Western genres like hip-hop, R&B, and reggae, extending his reach well beyond the African continent. His star-studded list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of the global music scene, including Beyoncé, Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, SIA, Justin Bieber, 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, Sam smith, Dave, and J. Cole —most of whom have appeared on his albums.
These are more than co-signs; they are strategic partnerships designed to elevate Burna Boy into the realm of global superstardom.
Ironically, as Burna Boy gains global fame, he’s become more critical of Afrobeats—the genre that launched his career. In an interview, he said it “lacks substance,” pointing to its focus on vibes over lyrics. Though the comment stirred backlash, it revealed his desire to forge a new path—one he calls his own genre, Afrofusion—rooted in deeper storytelling and cultural pride.
Burna Boy has also been unveiling a new persona. Through subtle shifts on social media and cryptic messaging linked to his Big 7 character, he seems intent on dismantling the “African Giant” image—echoing his recent statement that his people have “killed” that former persona.
While Tatata aligns with Burna Boy’s international strategy through its high-profile collaboration with Travis Scott, the track ultimately falls short as it lacked the substance needed to make it a standout global hit.
