Nigerian singer-songwriter BNXN, who shed his Buju moniker like a snake shedding its skin, has released his sophomore album, CAPTAIN, into the market.
Born from a childhood nickname that spoke to natural leadership, CAPTAIN represents BNXN’s most vulnerable artistic statement to date. Where his 2023 debut Sincerely, Benson introduced us to his world, this sophomore effort invites us into his psyche, a place where triumph and tribulation dance in perfect harmony.
The album’s architecture is deliberate, each track a carefully plotted coordinate on BNXN’s emotional map. He navigates through genre territories with the confidence of a seasoned explorer, weaving Afrobeats DNA with Afro-fusion innovation, R&B sensuality, and hip-hop’s raw honesty. It isn’t fusion for fusion’s sake; it’s the sound of an artist who refuses to be contained by conventional boundaries.
The guest roster reads like a who’s who of contemporary African music royalty. Rema’s appearance on Fi Kan We Kan creates magic, two generational talents trading verses like chess masters exchanging moves. Seyi Vibez brings his street-wise lyricism to the project, while Victony’s contribution to Cough Syrup demonstrates the seamless chemistry between Nigeria’s new school elite.
Perhaps most intriguingly, the Soweto Gospel Choir’s presence adds spiritual gravitas to proceedings, their harmonies serving as a bridge between BNXN’s earthly ambitions and higher aspirations. It’s a bold artistic choice that pays dividends, elevating the album’s emotional resonance.
Eleyi serves as a love letter to his origins, its nostalgic street-dancehall pulse evoking memories of concrete playgrounds and childhood dreams. Here, BNXN the superstar momentarily steps aside for Benson the boy, creating one of the album’s most emotionally resonant moments.
