Burna Boy fails to fly very high with “On A Spaceship” album

Artiste - Burna Boy

Guest Appearances - Nyanda (Brick and Lace), Wizkid, Phyno, Flavour, Wande Coal, AKA, Kid X, Da L.E.S

Producers- Spellz, Simba Tagz, Orbeat, Ellputo, J Stunt, J Fem, Sarz, Deceptikonz, Emblazon

Record Label - Spaceship Entertainment (2015)

Duration - 69 minutes

Burna Boy’s talent has always left everyone with a song on their lips. The young man combines various genres while leaning heavily on dancehall and core Afrobeat genres.

After a spectacular 2013 which saw the singer rise very high under the skilled tutelage of Aristokrat Records, and the release of his debut album , the singer sought more control and independence, exiting the label to take his shot at personal freedom.

That freedom has come with intermittent abuse and public bad-blood, as the singer has moved from one controversy after another, with extensive documentation and gleeful reportage by the media. That media has not been left out as the singer took time out to threaten with death at his hands.

There has been alleged fights, more alleged fights, and cases of harassment, as the singer took his sweet time to record his album.

All of these, and how it has taken its toll on his career was duly recorded by media man, Osagie Alonge in a critical edition of web show ‘Facts Only’, and in inexplicable fashion the Burna Boy made snippets of that show into the intro on this project. He follows it up with a clapback on ‘Oluwa Burna’.

The build-up to this album had seen the singer had a mixed reaction to his singles. He hit the jackpot with ‘Don Gorgon’, and ‘Soke’, but had less joy with ‘Check and Balance’, ‘Rockstar’, and ‘Follow me’. Only ‘Soke’ came into “On A Spaceship” as bonus to requirements.

“On A Spaceship” fails to show growth in the artiste. Hooking up with 9 producers to dig into his musical reservoir, and fetch the songs out, there’s a certain disconnect on the album. This is embodied on his collaboration with Wizkid, ‘Single’, which was dead from the start with discordant production and mixing.

Burna Boy’s talent is stratospheric, and the promise of quality that he holds leaves many ears clamouring for the sound of his vocals. But that largely failed to happen on this joint.

The good tracks are present. ‘The Realest’, ‘Rizzla’, ‘On a very good day’ ft Wande Coal, ‘Soke’, and ‘If people must die’.

But largely, you get a lingering feeling of desire for another Burna Boy. The Burna Boy who had artistic direction and A&R from Aristokrat Records. This album is a reminder about the advantages that A&R brings to the table.

Also, the absence of LeriQ is glaring. The super producer who had an unrivalled understanding of Burna Boy’s talent and single-handedly steered his music to great heights is no more with him. With LeriQ’s wizardry and experimentation, Burna Boy discovered hidden facets of his craft and created Afro-Fusion sounds which gave him acceptance.

This album fails in that regard. There are templates, more templates, and more templates. No single on this would inspire followership. It is comfortable and safe. Very safe.

And that’s what the entire work is about. A safe Burna Boy who lined up his LP with just enough sonic fuel to launch, but not enough to hit the moon, and break through the galaxies on a Spaceship.