Steel & Copper is a collaborative extended play by Nigerian singer Burna Boy and American production duo DJDS.[1] The EP comprises four tracks and was released on March 21, 2019, through Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit, Atlantic Records and Loma Vista Recordings.[2] It is the follow-up to Burna Boy's third studio album, Outside (2018), and DJDS' fourth studio album, Big Wave More Fire (2018).[2] Steel & Copper blends Burna Boy’s upbeat melodies with DJDS' slinky trap beats.[3]

Steel & Copper
EP by
ReleasedMarch 21, 2019 (2019-03-21)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length10:00
Label
ProducerDJDS
Burna Boy chronology
Outside
(2018)
Steel & Copper
(2019)
African Giant
(2019)
DJDS chronology
Big Wave More Fire
(2018)
Steel & Copper
(2019)

Composition

edit

Steel & Copper is a dancehall, reggae, afropop, and trap album.[3][4] The title track, "34", is a reference to Giannis Antetokounmpo's jersey number; the song first appeared in a freestyle Burna Boy did for Link Up TV's Behind the Barz.[3][4] In "Innocent Man", Burna Boy talks about surviving in the cold; he switches from melodic flows to fast paced rapping.[4][3] In the Rastafarian-influenced track "Darko", he voices his frustrations with the authorities and why he is not bothered about the things people say about him; the song begins with an upbeat piano sound and references his 2014 hit record "Don Gorgon".[4][3] In "Thuggin", Burna Boy narrates the deep tale of living life despite all the people he's lost; the song is composed of a guitar-led R&B beat that is reminiscent of a church choir worship session.[4][3] Ehis Ohunyon of Pulse Nigeria praised the song's structure and content.[4]

Releases

edit

The video for "Thuggin/Darko", a merger of the songs "Thuggin" and "Darko", was released on April 1, 2019.[5] It was directed by Daniel Regan and features styling from Nigerian fashion photographer Stephen Tayo.[5] The video contains spiritual elements and is a depiction of life and death; it also contains melancholic images of Burna Boy caring for a motherly figure in his home before engaging in a street fight that turns deadly for one of the men involved.[5]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Spill Magazine     [6]
Pulse Nigeria     [4]

Steel & Copper received generally positive reviews from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Ehis Ohunyon awarded the EP 3 stars out of 5, saying it "succeeds through sheer force of will, cutting edge style and his simple approach to achieving excellence".[4] In contrast, Ohunyon criticized its length and said it "lacks the gusto to leave a memorable mark in the mind of listeners".[4] The Native's Debola Abimbolu said Steel & Copper is a continuation of the genre-bending antics that DJDS explored on their 2018 album Big Wave More Fire; Abimbolu also commended Burna Boy for helping the duo explore the sound of Afropop.[3]

Writing for The Spill Magazine, Adam Nosalik granted the EP 4 stars out of 5, commending it for being a well put-together project.[6] Notiki Bello of Filter Free Nigeria called the EP "smooth" and said "there is no noticeable sonic glitch in any of the songs".[7]

Track listing

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."34"Damini OguluDJDS2:40
2."Innocent Man"OguluDJDS2:30
3."Darko"OguluDJDS2:02
4."Thuggin"OguluDJDS3:44
Total length:10:00

Release history

edit
Region Date Format Version Label
Various March 21, 2019 Digital download Standard
  • Spaceship
  • Bad Habit
  • Atlantic
  • Loma Vista Recordings

References

edit
  1. ^ Wandera Hussein (March 21, 2019). "Burna Boy and DJDS connect for new joint-EP Steel & Copper". The Fader. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b Evan Minsker (March 21, 2019). "DJDS and Burna Boy Release New Steel & Copper EP: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Debola Abimbolu (March 22, 2019). "Essentials: Burna Boy and DJDS's 'Steel and Copper'". Native. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ehis Ohunyon (March 25, 2019). "Burna Boy's Steel and Copper with DJDS is his most experimental project yet". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Damola Durosomo (April 1, 2019). "Watch the Stunning Music Video for Burna Boy and DJDS' 'Thuggin/Darko'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b Adam Nosalik (21 March 2019). "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BURNA BOY & DJDS – STEEL & COPPER". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  7. ^ Notki Bello (March 25, 2019). "Here is Quick Verdict on DJDS X Burna Boy project "Steel & Copper"". Filter Free Nigeria. Retrieved 25 January 2020.