Long before Burna Boy titled his eighth studio album “No Sign Of Weakness”, his career had already been a solid proof of that phrase. From his defiant posture to his genre-bending sound and confidence, Burna has always moved like someone determined to make a groundbreaking statement with the conviction that he already has.
Even on the titular track of his 2018 album “Outside”, he sings, “Until finally, nothing come dey fear me”, a line that captured the mindset of an artiste taking on the world on his own terms.
With each project, Burna has doubled down on his craft and identity. His previous album, “I Told Them” felt like a pointed response to doubters and naysayers. Now, “No Sign Of Weakness” is proof that yes, he’s great, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. Preceded by singles like “Bundle by Bundle,” “TATATA” featuring Travis Scott, “Sweet Love,” and “Update,” the album rollout hinted at different layers of Burna’s evolving sound.
Now that the whole album is here, these are five key lessons that stand out in “No Sign Of Weakness”.
Exploration of Different Genres and Fusion
While many Afrobeats stars often stick to familiar sonic ground, Burna Boy has consistently stood out as a master of fusion, effortlessly blending genres and experimenting beyond the boundaries of Afropop. On “No Sign Of Weakness”, that sonic adventurousness is entirely on display.
He dips into Reggae on “Sweet Love,” channels Brazilian funk on “TATATA” featuring Travis Scott, and ventures into EDM territory on “Kabiyesi.” He revisits the Konto rhythm on “28 Grams,” leans into pure Hip-Hop energy on the title track “No Sign Of Weakness,” and embraces a rich Highlife texture on “Buy Your Life.”
Elsewhere, he merges Afrobeats with country influences on “Change Your Mind” featuring Shaboozey, layers Amapiano-style log drums into the street-driven “Update,” and brings in a gritty rock edge alongside Mick Jagger on “Empty Chairs.” It’s a potpourri of sound, bold, eclectic, and intentional, that reinforces his status as a global artist who refuses to be boxed in.
There’s Angst, Chest-Thumping, and Braggadocio
Staying true to Burna Boy’s signature persona, that is marked by defiance, pride, and a constant need to affirm his dominance, “No Sign Of Weakness” is drenched in angst and braggadocio. From some of the songs on the album, Burna asserts his status as the African Giant by reminding listeners that he’s unmatched, unshaken, and always ready to prove himself.
On the opening track, “No Panic,” he sets the tone: “I get money pass all of them / Get ọpọlọ pass all of them”, a chest-thumping declaration of both wealth and intellect. The bravado continues on “Bundle By Bundle,” where he sings, “When it comes to class, I be teacher,” further reinforcing his position as someone others should look up to, not compete with.
The Consideration of Motivation
Burna Boy has always known how to mine his personal journey as motivation for his listeners. Across his discography, he often includes at least one track that urges fans to push through hardship, self-doubt, or social limitation. It’s part of his DNA as an artist to uplift.
We’ve seen this pattern before. On African Giant, it was “Dangote,” where he reminded us that even the wealthiest man in Africa still works every day. Twice as Tall gave us “Level Up,” a story of ambition and humility. Love, Damini offered “Wild Dreams,” a reflective ode to holding on to one’s visions despite setbacks. On I Told Them, it was the title track.
Now, on “No Sign Of Weakness”, that role belongs to the outro track, “Born Winner.” The song is filled with affirmations and a sense of spiritual resilience.
Intentionality in the Collaborations
Burna Boy doesn’t feature artists just for name recognition. His collaborations are often calculated moves that align with his sonic goals and emotional intentions. On “No Sign Of Weakness”, he enlists a diverse cast of collaborators – Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, Stromae, and Shaboozey – each of whom brings a distinct energy that stretches the album’s palette and deepens its narrative range.
Travis Scott delivers a fiery verse on “TATATA,” merging his Hiphop cadence with Burna’s Afro-fusion flair to create one of the album’s most explosive moments. Belgian singer Stromae completely owns “Pardon,” bringing his melancholic tone and emotional weight to the track as though it were lifted from his catalogue. Mick Jagger’s feature on “Empty Chairs” is unexpected but powerful, a rock-tinged fusion that adds depth to Burna’s introspection. And then there’s Shaboozey on “Change Your Mind,” where the Afro-country blend feels both effortless and refreshing, with Burna and Shaboozey’s chemistry giving the song a tender, reflective warmth.
From the guest verses to the intricate production choices, “No Sign Of Weakness” shows a clear sense of intentionality. Each feature is there to expand the genre lens and reinforce Burna Boy’s vision of global music without borders.
5. The Absence of Conscious Music
Just before the album dropped, Burna Boy shared a message on his Instagram story that read:
“The ‘African Giant’ BURNA BOY died. His own people killed him. Then ‘BIG 7’ was born to protect what was left of ‘BURNA BOY’. BURNA BOY and BIG 7 fight each other a lot because while BIG 7 is only protecting the final and only existing piece of BURNA BOY’s BROKEN HEART. The ‘African Giant’ still haunts BURNA BOY.”
This message says a lot. It shows that Burna Boy may have finally let go of the part of himself that made music for the people and also speak up about injustice, hardship, and the Nigerian condition. Over the years, he’s been known for creating powerful, conscious songs like “Another Story,” “Monsters You Made,” “Common Person”, “Cheat On Me” featuring Dave, and “20 10 20.” Songs that held the government accountable and gave a voice to the unheard.
But on “No Sign Of Weakness”, that part is missing. There are no songs here that speak truth to power or highlight the everyday struggles of Nigerians.
