This article is about the Burna Boy song. For similar uses, see City Boy.
City Boys
single
ArtistBurna Boy
AlbumI Told Them...
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023
GenreAfro-fusion · afropop · alternative hip hop
Length2:33
LabelAtlantic · Spaceship · Bad Habit
WriterDamini Ebunoluwa Ogulu · Jeremy Felton · Mick Schultz · Keith James · Santeri Kauppinen · Robert Laukkanen
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][2] "City Boys" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[3]

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.[4] He released the single, alongside a music video, on September 22, 2023.[5][6]

Critical reception

Betty Godson of NotJustOk described the album as a "headbanger" with "a wonderful tinkling sound and a strong first verse."[7] African Folder's 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."[8] 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."[9] 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."[10]

Awards

"City Boys" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards,[3] and Best Afrobeats at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.[11][12]

Live performances

Burna Boy performed the song at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards[13][14] and at Glastonbury Festival 2024.[15]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "City Boys"
Chart (2023)Peak
position
France (SNEP)[16]27
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)12
Nigeria (TurnTable)[17]2
UK Afrobeats (OCC)[18]1
World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19]7

References

  1. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (25 August 2023). "Burna Boy Releases New Album 'I Told Them...' f/ J. Cole, 21 Savage, RZA, and More". Complex. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  2. ^ Mamo, Heran (2024-05-06). "14 American Songs That Burna Boy Has Sampled or Interpolated". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  3. ^ Markowitz, Douglas (11 November 2023). "Here Are The Nominees For Best African Music Performance At The 2024 GRAMMYs". Grammys. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Godson, Betty (August 18, 2023). "Fans react as Burna Boy teases new single". NotJustOk. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  5. ^ Helfand, Raphael (September 22, 2023). "Burna Boy drops video for “City Boys”". The Fader. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. ^ Inman, DeMicia (2023-09-22). "Burna Boy Invites Quavo To Live The “City Boys” Lifestyle In Music Video". Vibe. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  7. ^ Godson, Betty (25 August 2023). "Burna Boy dumps Afrobeats on his new album, 'I Told Them'". NotJustOk. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  8. ^ Anifowose, Bomi (25 August 2023). "I Told Them By Burna Boy: More Hip-Hop, Less Afrobeats". African Folder. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Brown, Helen (25 August 2023). "Burna Boy, I Told Them... review: Nigerian star pulls his punches on a lovingly crafted but middling new album". The Independent. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  10. ^ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (30 August 2023). "Burna Boy: I Told Them... Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Atkinson, Katie (2024-09-12). "Here’s the Full List of 2024 MTV VMAs Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  12. ^ Peter, Dennis Ade (August 7, 2024). "Burna Boy, Tyla and Ayra Starr Among Best Afrobeats Nominees at MTV VMAs 2024 | OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ^ Bloom, Madison (2024-02-05). "Watch Burna Boy Perform “On Form,” “City Boys,” and More at the 2024 Grammys". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  14. ^ Moorman, Taijuan (2024-02-05). "Burna Boy becomes first Afrobeats star to take Grammys stage joined by Brandy, 21 Savage". USA Today. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  15. ^ Firth, Abigail (2024-06-30). "Burna Boy gets his deserved big billing at Glastonbury 2024". Dork. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  16. ^ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable charts. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Afrobeats Singles Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Burna Boy Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 14 October 2023.