City Boys
2023 song by Burna Boy
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"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]
| "City Boys" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Burna Boy | |
| from the album I Told Them... | |
| Released | September 22, 2023 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:33 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producers |
|
| Music video | |
| "City Boys" on YouTube | |
Background
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
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[16] | 70 |
| France (SNEP)[17] | 27 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[18] | 143 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 44 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] | 14 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) | 12 |
| Nigeria (TurnTable)[21] | 2 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] | 58 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] | 24 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts)[24] | 14 |
| UK Afrobeats (OCC)[25] | 1 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (Official Charts)[26] | 5 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[27] | 20 |
| World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[28] | 7 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[29] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[30] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Nigeria (TCSN)[32] | 4× Platinum | 400,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[34] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||