City Boys Explained

City Boys
Type:single
Released:September 22, 2023
Length:2:33
Producer:
  • MD$
  • Ruuben

"City Boys" is a song by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, released on September 22, 2023, as the fifth single from his seventh studio album, I Told Them... . It was produced by MD$ and Ruuben and samples Jeremih's February 2009 single, "Birthday Sex".[1] "City Boys" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[2]

Background

Burna Boy first teased the track on August 17, 2023, through his TikTok, posting a clip from the official music video of the track.[3]

Critical reception

African Folders Bomi Anifowose noted that the track is "chest-thumping" and is "riveting and dynamic as the snippet." He also stated that "the record displays braggadocio in esteemed ramification."[4] Writing for The Independent, Helen Brown wrote that the track "applauds sly angles of urban masculinity to a marimba and concrete punch of a beat."[5] Julianne Escobedo Shepherd for Pitchfork wrote that on the track, Burna "explores the spoils of his talent and renown, weaving triumphantly through wealth, women, [and] weed."[6] The song was included at No. 4 on Harpsichord Zine's ranking of the 33 Best Songs of 2023, as well being named one of the "64 Songs That Narrated The Mainstream 2023."[7] The publication noted that despite using the blatant sample of "Birthday Sex," it didn't "water down" the song's intent.[8]

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
France (SNEP)[9] 27
New Zealand Hot Singles(RMNZ)12
Nigeria (TurnTable)[10] 2
UK Afrobeats (OCC)[11] 1

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Burna Boy Releases New Album 'I Told Them...' f/ J. Cole, 21 Savage, RZA, and More. Complex. Cummings-Grady. Mackenzie. 25 August 2023. October 8, 2023.
  2. Web site: Here Are The Nominees For Best African Music Performance At The 2024 GRAMMYs. Grammys. MARKOWITZ. DOUGLAS. 11 November 2023. November 11, 2023.
  3. Web site: Fans react as Burna Boy teases new single. NotJustOk. Godson. Betty. August 18, 2023. October 8, 2023.
  4. Web site: I Told Them By Burna Boy: More Hip-Hop, Less Afrobeats. African Folder. Anifowose. Bomi. 25 August 2023. October 8, 2023.
  5. Web site: Burna Boy, I Told Them... review: Nigerian star pulls his punches on a lovingly crafted but middling new album. The Independent. Brown. Helen. 25 August 2023. October 8, 2023.
  6. Web site: Burna Boy: I Told Them... Album Review. Pitchfork. Shepherd. Julianne Escobedo. 30 August 2023. October 8, 2023.
  7. Web site: Harpsichord's List of 64 Songs That Narrated The Mainstream of 2023 . 2024-01-05 . Harpsichord . en-US.
  8. Web site: Harpsicord's Top 33 Songs of 2023 [11-1] ]. 2024-01-05 . Harpsichord . en-US.
  9. Web site: Top Singles (Week 41, 2023). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. 16 October 2023.
  10. Web site: Official Nigeria Top 100. TurnTable charts. 28 December 2023.
  11. Web site: Official Afrobeats Singles Chart Top 20. Official Charts Company. 15 October 2023.

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