Burna Boy wasted no time getting back into the lab after dropping his sixth album Love, Damini. A little over a year after he dropped that album, which came complete with standouts like “Last Last” and “It’s Plenty,” Burna Boy is just days away from releasing his seventh album I Told Them… The afrobeats global star returns with a point to prove and a new direction on his latest body of work. Ahead of its release, Burna returns to unveil its tracklist and features.
I Told Them… arrives with 15 songs to its name, three of which have already been released. Those records are “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” with 21 Savage, “Big 7,” and Burna’s remix of Byron Messia’s summer hit “Talibans.” Burna also calls on J. Cole, Dave, and Nigerian singer Sey Vibez to contribute verses to the album. Cole appears to close the album on “Thanks,” Dave can be found on “Cheat On Me,” and Seyi Vibez appears on “Giza.”
You can view the tracklist for I Told Them… below.
1. “I Told Them”
2. “Normal”
3. “On Form”
4. “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” Feat. 21 Savage
5. “Tested, Approved & Trusted”
6. “Cheat On Me” Feat. Dave
7. “Virgil”
8. “Big 7”
9. “Dey Play”
10. “City Boys”
11. “Giza” Feat. Seyi Vibez
12. “Jewels”
13. “If I’m Lying”
14. “Thanks” Feat. J. Cole
15. “Talibans II” – Burna Boy, Byron Messia
I Told Them… is out 8/25 via Spaceship Records and Atlantic Records. Find out more information here.
Burna Boy is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Last year was a big one for London rapper Central Cee. After the release of his 23 project, Cee went on to release the biggest song of his career with “Doja.” The track helped him become more of a recognizable name, especially among fellow London rappers like Dave. All of this has now resulted in “Sprinter,” the first-ever collaboration between the two rappers, and it’s one perfect for summer.
Dave and Central Cee’s new record arrives with a matching video that showcases the pros and cons of their playboy lifestyles. The duo flashes their diamonds and other riches while rapping about their accounters with women since they’ve become famous. Lines like, “We ain’t got generational wealth, it’s only a year that I’ve had these millions” from Central Cee and followed by equally opulent lines from Dave like, “You ever spent six figures and stared at bae like, ‘Look what you made me do.’” It all comes together with a simple that finds Central Cee rapping, “I got too many gyal, too many-many gyal, I got / They can last me the next two weeks.”
Hopefully “Sprinter” is a sign of more music to come from both rappers. Central Cee’s last release came at the top of the year with “Me & You” while Dave’s own dates back to last summer with “My 24th Birthday.”
You watch the video for “Sprinter” in the video above.
It’s wild to think that with all he’s accomplished, Dave is still in the first half of just his second decade of life. In the past year, he’s won BRIT Awards, toured the US, been announced as the headliner of both his home nation’s Wireless Festival and the first-ever Toronto Rolling Loud, and received the co-sign of Drake, who is still widely considered the number-one talent scout on the planet. All of that before turning 24, which he did on June 5 this year.
To celebrate, he’s issued an introspective freestyle titled “My 24th Birthday,” which is a spiritual successor/continuation of his 2017 track “My 19th Birthday.” Although he’s skipped a few years in the series, he can be forgiven; the past five years have been pretty busy, full of ups and downs for the rising star. But now he’s also got plenty to reflect on, from buying his mom a house and earning his second UK No. 1 with “Starlight,” to the newfound problems that come with fame and fortune for a kid from the endz of South London.
“But what’s livin’? Is it clubbin’ and bangin’ chicks or plannin’ trips?” he wonders on the track. “Or some sort of pleasure I haven’t managed to factor in? / I guess I’ll let you know when the stats are in.” Perhaps he’ll do so on his 29th birthday.
In addition to anointing UK rapper Dave as one of the most unique artists in the business today, Drake also had another surprise for fans at Dave’s tour stop in Toronto last night. After performing “Wanna Know” and “Knife Talk” alongside his host (or guest, since Drake owns the venue, History), Drake told the diehards in attendance that he’s also planning on bringing back his own event, OVO Fest, sometime this year. “I love you with all of my heart,” he said. “They let the city back open so I will see you at OVO Fest soon.”
Drake’s festival would have had its 10th iteration in 2020, but COVID-19 and the resulting safety restrictions forced him to forego plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary at the event itself. Unfortunately, as a side effect of the slowed income from that year, there was no 2021 edition, either. The last OVO Fest took place in 2019 with guests like millennial favorites B2K, Chingy, and Lloyd. Intriguingly enough, Drake’s festival isn’t the only one coming back to Toronto this year; in April, Rolling Loud announced its own event in The Six featuring none other than Dave as a headliner alongside Future and international superstar Wizkid.
Drake didn’t offer any more details, but you can bet when he does, there will be a frenzy to get tickets to his hometown show — no matter how much they cost.
Streatham, London rapper Dave has been rising in acclaim and esteem over the last few years. In addition to dropping the well-received albums Psychodrama and We’re All Alone In This Together — both of which topped the UK’s Albums Chart — he was a thrilling villain in the Drake-produced revival of the street crime drama Top Boy and recently became a BRIT Award-winner for We’re All Alone. It’s safe to say that he’s one of the UK’s most exciting acts today.
Leave it to Drake to make that coronation official during Dave’s North American tour stop in — where else? — Toronto, Drake’s hometown. Drake joined Dave onstage mid-show to perform their 2016 collaboration “Wanna Know,” as well as a rendition of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy track “Knife Talk.” Afterward, Drake addressed the audience, giving Dave his benediction.
“This guy right here is a once-in-a-generation talent,” he said. “Whether he’s rapping, pouring out his heart, whether he’s turning all the way up, whether he’s playing the piano, whether he’s acting in our show Top Boy, I promise you, this guy right here is a one of one.”
Drake says OVO FEST is back while on stage with Santan Dave tonight in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/wjcLVCkv4h
Drake’s blessing is no small one; his pop-outs for collaborators and friends have helped increase their popularity by several orders of magnitude. In recent years, he’s done so for artists like Giveon and Jack Harlow, and if past trends are anything to judge by, it probably won’t be long until Dave’s own profile similarly skyrockets. Check out video of Drake onstage with the breakthrough UK artist above.
Dave might very well be the biggest star in British rap right now. The South London rapper took home the BRIT Award for Best Hip-Hop/Grime Act last month and flexed his versatility playing a guitar that emitted flames in his performance of “In The Fire.” Now, he’s just shared “Starlight,” the first new music he’s put out since last year’s fantastic, chart-topping breakthrough album, We’re All Alone In This Togetherand it’s more heat from Dave.
Also produced by Dave, “Starlight” is set to a flip of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon.” On the track, he ruminates on his growing fame, love, and living under a microscope. He has a venerable grip on hip-hop tropes from both sides of the Atlantic and it all comes together on the masterful hook where he raps:
“It’s hard to hate on the truth I’m livin’
Enough man hate with the lies instead
Countin’ cash with the phone to my ear
I feel like Meek on the private jet”
He’s soaring right now and Dave’s star is set to keep rising. He was announced as a Wireless Festival headliner last week and his US tour starts in April, beginning with a stop at Coachella.
Watch the video for “Starlight” above and check out Dave’s full US tour dates below.
04/17 — Indio, CA @ Coachella
04/24 — Indio, CA @ Coachella
04/26 — San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
04/27 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
04/29 — Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
05/01 — Washington, D.C. @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
05/03 — Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
05/04 — New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
05/05/ — New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
05/06 — Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/08 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
05/10 — Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
05/12 — Toronto, ON @ History
05/12 — Toronto, ON @ Rebel
05/15 — Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts
05/17 — Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
05/18 — Dallas, TX @ Trees
05/20 — Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
05/21 — Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
05/22 — Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
The UK’s Wireless Festival has announced its headliners for 2022, as well as a big change to the festival format. After being held at a single location since 2015, the festival has once again expanded to multiple venues this year, taking place at two of its old locations, Finsbury Park and Crystal Palace Park, as well as the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham.
Fittingly, the roster of headliners has also expanded to include an impressive collection of mostly US-based acts, which include ASAP Rocky, J. Cole, and Tyler The Creator at Crystal Palace Park on July 1-3, then Cardi B, SZA, and Nicki Minaj at Finsbury Park from July 8-10. On that same weekend, BRIT AWards winner Dave, Cardi B, and J. Cole will be the headliners at the NEC.
Local headliner Dave is coming off a strong 2021 that saw him release his sophomore album We’re All Alone In This Together. Dave was nominated for — and won — the Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act award at this year’s BRITS, where he performed “In The Fire” from his new album complete with a flamethrowing guitar. His selection as a Wireless headliner signals his leap from emerging artist to bonafide superstar.
No other acts have been announced as yet, but you can find more information on the Wireless Festival website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Last night’s BRIT Awards ceremony gave a whole new meaning to the term “playing with fire” as rap music won big and dominated the onstage performances with dynamic sets from Black artists like Dave and Little Simz (who, incidentally, are also alums of “the British version of The Wire,” Top Boy).
Dave, who won the Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act award, also performed his song “In The Fire” from his 2021 second studio album We’re All Alone in This Together with fellow Grime standouts Giggs, Ghetts, Meekz, and Fredo. After completing his passionate verse, Dave revealed a surprising talent, donning an electric guitar to play a dazzling solo as flames shot out the end, a la Mad Max: Fury Road. Watch the performance above.
Another big winner was Little Simz, whose 2021 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert was widely considered one of the year’s best. Nominated for Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, Simz won Best New Artist, bringing her mum onstage for an inspirational acceptance speech encouraging fans to chase their dreams and holding herself up as an example of the fruits of perseverance. She also played album standouts “Introvert” and “Woman” alongside actress Emma Corrin from The Crown. You can check her performance out below.
The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
“I tell my fans we’re all alone in this together.” These words arrive from Dave towards the end of the intro track on his sophomore album. They’re delivered on a plate that presents equal parts blunt honesty and comforting, yet unorthodox reassurance. It’s a unique way for the British rapper to console those who wake up every morning to take a swing at life with the hope that they can return to bed with things less broken than they were at sunrise. “We’re all in this together” is already reassuring in itself, but the addition of “alone” uncovers something many of us hope to avoid amid life’s greatest qualms: reality.
On We’re All Alone In This Together, Dave reminds us that rap hasn’t exempted him from life struggles. The things that money can’t solve still affect the British rapper daily and he alludes to it on “We’re Alone.” “You can trust me, all the sh*t that you been feelin’, you’re feelin’ with me,” he candidly raps. “We all the took the wrong turns in different streets / We all cry the same tears on different cheeks.” There’s a fine line between sympathy and empathy and Dave is very much aware of it. He creates a middle ground between the two in order to support his fans and quite frankly, anyone who takes a moment to hear his words. Dave may not be able to walk in your shoes but he faintly recognizes them as they’re not too different from the pair that cover his feet.
Dave does so much with cut-throat intention. Not in the sense of placing the necessary piece into a puzzle he aims to solve. The London native is responsible for the landscape that the intricate pieces unveil when connected. He’s the puppetmaster and the puppet at the same time. Dave knows what he’s trying to tell his fans and exactly how to tell it. Take this for example: the first song on the album is titled “We’re All Alone” and the last words Dave utters on it are “in this together.” Through the various topics he touches on throughout We’re All Alone In This Together, it’s clear that the rapper wants to make sure the album title is understood to the fullest capacity by the last time he says it.
In a profile with Ciaran Thapar for GQ, Dave points out that as his 2019 debut Psychodrama was centered around the element of fire, We’re All Alone In This Together shifts its attention to water through the visual representation of the sea on it’s cover. “I’ll probably go wind and then earth and then I don’t know if I’ll go anywhere from there,” he says, speaking about future albums. This is Dave’s world, and while he knows what it looks like in his mind, we as listeners slowly watch it come together with the very things that make it move.
So what is it that Dave feels like we’re alone in together? Long story short, it’s a culmination of everything. There’s the destruction of love far beyond repair on “Both Sides Of A Smile” with James Blake or the frustration with a system that operates with a racist lens on “Three Rivers.” Brighter moments arrive on “System” with Wizkid, an afro-fusion effort that sees the acts showering their partners with equal amounts of love and expensive treatments. “Clash,” the laser-sharp lead single from We’re All Alone In This Together, finds Dave calling on good friend Stormzy to ride beside him and flaunt their top-notch confidence. Lastly, the recruitment of UK rappers Fredo, Meekz Manny, Ghetts (who tears through his verse), and Giggs for a captivating posse cut on “In The Fire” provides fiery raps that render the passion the quintet have while leaving their egos unchecked for a moment. All in all, the album presents emotions and feelings that — at their simplest levels — are relatable to us as listeners as we too have experienced them in our own lives.
The word “alone” presents a negative connotation more often than it does a positive one, but Dave successfully uses both on his second album. He acknowledges and accepts the idea of being a nomad on We’re All Alone In This Together. At the same time, the London native reminds us that while we all have our own nomadic experiences, the loneliness we feel isn’t because no one cares. More times than not it’s because we all have our issues to solve, with most requiring our full attention to complete. On “In The Fire,” Giggs raps, “Can’t walk in my shoes / You could be riskin’ a bunion.” Our shoes are only our shoes to walk in as no one else can live life for us. This is the solo expedition Dave speaks about on his second album, We’re All Alone In This Together. Our hardships may be unique, but the London native reminds us that we all have our own to deal with.
We’re All Alone In This Together is out 7/23 via Dave/Neighbourhood Recordings. Get it here.
(@jayemkayem) 
