"City Boys"
Song by Burna Boy
from the album I Told Them...
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023
GenreAfro-fusion, Afro-pop, Alternative Hip-Hop
Length2:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • MD$
  • Ruuben
Music video
"City Boys" on YouTube

"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 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."[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

Weekly chart performance for "City Boys"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 70
France (SNEP)[10] 27
Global 200 (Billboard)[11] 143
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 44
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 14
Nigeria (TurnTable)[14] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 58
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 24
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 14
UK Afrobeats (OCC)[18] 1
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[19] 5
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[20] 20

Certifications

Certifications for "City Boys"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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. ↑ MARKOWITZ, DOUGLAS (11 November 2023). "Here Are The Nominees For Best African Music Performance At The 2024 GRAMMYs". Grammys. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ↑ Godson, Betty (August 18, 2023). "Fans react as Burna Boy teases new single". NotJustOk. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  4. ↑ Anifowose, Bomi (25 August 2023). "I Told Them By Burna Boy: More Hip-Hop, Less Afrobeats". African Folder. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (30 August 2023). "Burna Boy: I Told Them... Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Harpsichord's List of 64 Songs That Narrated The Mainstream of 2023". Harpsichord. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  8. ↑ "Harpsicord's Top 33 Songs of 2023 [11-1]". Harpsichord. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  9. ↑ "Burna Boy Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Burna Boy Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Burna Boy – City Boys" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable charts. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Burna Boy – City Boys". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "Burna Boy – City Boys". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  18. ↑ "Official Afrobeats Singles Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "Burna Boy Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  21. ↑ "British single certifications – Burna Boy – City Boys". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
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