Steel & Copper

Steel & Copper
EP by
Burna Boy and DJDS
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)

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]

Composition

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 transitions from lyrical flows to fast-paced rapping and discusses survival in the cold.[4][3] In the Rastafarian-influenced track "Darko", he complains about the authorities and explains why he doesn't care what people think of him; the song pays homage to his 2014 hit "Don Gorgon" and opens with a lively piano tone.[4][3] In "Thuggin", Burna Boy tells the story of surviving life in spite of all the people he has lost; the song features a guitar-driven R&B beat and is evocative of worship music.[4][3] Ehis Ohunyon of Pulse Nigeria praised the song's structure and content.[4]

Releases

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 includes heartbreaking scenes in which Burna Boy tends to a mother before engaging in a deadly street fight with another man.[5]

Critical reception

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 delve into Afropop.[3]

Spill Magazine's 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

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

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

References

  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.
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