Five years ago today, Burna Boy released Twice As Tall, a body of work that didn’t just solidify his place at the top of Afrobeats but also helped push Nigerian music further into the global conversation. Before its release, Burna had already made waves with African Giant, earning international attention and Grammy recognition. But Twice As Tall, arriving in August 2020 at the height of worldwide lockdowns, felt bigger in scope and ambition. Recorded across continents, the project blended Burna’s signature African rhythms with global influences, making it accessible to new audiences without losing its cultural core.
The album’s themes of resilience, self-worth, and cultural pride resonated deeply, turning it into both a personal victory for Burna Boy and a landmark moment for Afrobeats’ growing influence on the world stage. Here are five things we still love about the album today.
A Grammy Triumph
At the 63rd Grammy Awards in March 2021, Twice As Tall won Best Global Music Album. This historic win made Burna Boy the first Nigerian artist to take home a Grammy in that category. Fans remember the excitement as Burna Boy dedicated the award to Africa and his late father, calling it a win “for my generation of Africans all over the world.” It felt like a proud moment not just for Burna himself but for Afrobeats music as a whole. The award showed that African artists could compete on any stage, and it added extra swagger to the album’s legacy.
Star-Studded Collaborations
One of the defining features of Twice As Tall was how it brought together a diverse group of artists from different corners of the world without losing its African identity. Stormzy’s verse added a gritty UK rap edge, Chris Martin’s vocals on Monsters You Made gave the track a haunting, anthemic quality, and Naughty by Nature’s appearance connected Burna’s Afrofusion to the golden era of American hip-hop. Youssou N’Dour’s opening on Level Up felt like a passing of the torch from one African great to another, while Sauti Sol’s harmonies on Time Flies injected warmth and soul. These collaborations weren’t about chasing big names for attention; they felt organic, as if each artist had been invited into Burna’s world to add their voice to a larger story. The result was an album that felt global in reach but still deeply rooted in the sound and spirit of Africa.
African Pride and Resilience
At its heart, Twice As Tall is an album about lifting yourself up. Burna Boy channels the pain of losing his father and the struggles of everyday life into songs that celebrate perseverance. Lyrics like “make Africa great again” and references to African history give the album a strong sense of cultural pride. For example, Monsters You Made challenges racism and colonialism, giving voice to frustrated yet hopeful African perspectives. Burna weaves English and Yoruba together so both local fans and the diaspora feel connected. The tone throughout is one of confidence and unity, a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you have the strength and heritage to overcome it.
Timeless Hits
More than anything, Twice As Tall has aged with the kind of ease that few albums manage. Five years on, its production still feels crisp, its hooks still memorable, and its energy still contagious. Part of that comes from how Burna blended Afrofusion’s rhythmic base with touches of reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and pop, giving the songs room to travel far beyond their release moment. The album doesn’t sound trapped in 2020 — instead, it sits comfortably in today’s playlists, sliding next to newer Afrobeats hits without feeling dated. That staying power is why it remains a go-to for fans, whether they’re revisiting old favorites or introducing someone to Burna Boy for the first time.
An Enduring Legacy
Five years later, the influence of Twice As Tall is still being felt. Burna Boy has since become a global superstar, selling out stadiums and collecting more awards (including another Grammy in 2023). Yet he often speaks of Twice As Tall as the turning point of his career. The album helped open doors for other Afrobeats artists too: after it came out, tracks from Lagos began dominating international charts and playlists. Today’s music scene looks very different from 2020. African artists are regulars on global hit songs, and newer listeners still discover Twice As Tall and feel its power. Looking back, the album feels like the moment Afrobeats truly announced itself to the world. Its legacy lives on whenever Burna takes the stage or an African beat blasts on the radio.
