On a Spaceship is the second album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Burna Boy. It was released on 16 November 2015 through Spaceship Records and Universal Music Group.[1] The album features guest appearances from Flavour, Kid X, AKA, Wande Coal, Nyanda, Phyno, Da L.E.S, and Wizkid. Burna Boy enlisted notable producers such as Spellz, Emblazon, Deceptikonz, Simba Tagz, J Fem, Sarz, Ell Puto, JayStuntz and Orbeat.

On a Spaceship
Studio album by
Released25 November 2015
Recorded2015
Length69:00
Language
Label
Producer
  • Spellz
  • Emblazon
  • Deceptikonz
  • Simba Tagz
  • J Fem
  • Sarz
  • Ell Puto
  • JayStuntz
  • Orbeat
Burna Boy chronology
L.I.F.E
(2013)
On a Spaceship
(2015)
Redemption
(2016)
Singles from On a Spaceship
  1. "Soke"
    Released: 4 April 2015
  2. "Jealousy"
    Released: 20 January 2016
  3. "Rizzla"
    Released: 24 March 2016
  4. "Duro Ni Be"
    Released: 9 June 2016
  5. "The Realest"
    Released: 11 July 2016

Background and singles

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Burna Boy revealed the artwork and release date for On A Spaceship on 8 November 2015.[2] The album's lead single and only bonus track "Soke" was released on 4 April 2015 and was produced by Orbeat.[3] The music video for "Soke" was released on 2 May 2015 and was directed by Mattmax.[4] The second single off On a Spaceship, "Jealousy" was released on 20 January 2016 and produced by J Fem. The music video for "Jealousy" was released the same day and directed by Unlimited L.A.[5] The third single "Rizzla" was released on 24 March 2016 and was also produced by J Fem. The music video was directed by Mattmax.[6] The album's fourth single "Duro Ni Be" features Phyno and was released prior to the album and was made available for free digital download by Burna Boy on 9 June 2016.[7] The music video for "Duro Ni Be" was released on 23 May 2016 and directed by Mattmax.[8] The final single, "The Realest" was released on 11 July 2016 and produced by Simba Tagz and directed by Director Cube.[9]

Critical reception

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The album received mixed reviews from critics. Jonathan of Pulse Nigeria reviewed Burna Boy's album On a Spaceship, expressing his opinion that the album fails to show artistic growth. According to Jonathan, while Burna Boy's talent is undeniable, the album lacks the direction and innovative spark that was present during his time with Aristokrat Records, particularly due to the absence of producer LeriQ. The album features a mix of good tracks like "The Realest," "Rizzla," and "Soke," but overall, it feels "safe" and doesn't push creative boundaries. Jonathan also noted that the collaboration with Wizkid on "Single" was particularly disappointing, suffering from poor production and mixing. Ultimately, he rated the album a 3 out of 5, describing it as "worth checking out" but not groundbreaking.[10] Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa, in his review of On a Spaceship, describes the album as Burna Boy's response to the industry's failure to recognize his previous work, particularly L.I.F.E. He observes that while the album starts strong with tracks like "Oluwa Burna," it quickly descends into "a blur of average tunes," largely due to the absence of producer LeriQ. Aigbokhaevbolo views the album as "a kind of vengeful poetry" aimed at those who overlooked Burna Boy's earlier achievements. This approach, he suggests, results in a deliberate underachievement in the album.[11]

Track listing

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On a Spaceship track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"Damini Ogulu1:48
2."Oluwa Burna"OguluSpellz2:59
3."The Realest"FalanaSimba Tagz3:00
4."Mine Tonight" (featuring Nyanda)Orbeat3:46
5."Ring Ring"OguluSpellz3:30
6."Single" (featuring Wizkid)Simba Tagz3:31
7."Sampudi"OguluEll Puto3:42
8."As E Be" (skit)Ogulu0:43
9."Rizzla"OguluJ Fem3:32
10."Jealousy"OguluJ Fem3:34
11."Duro Ni Be" (featuring Phyno)JayStuntz3:28
12."Another One"OguluOrbeat3:22
13."Before" (featuring Flavour)J Fem3:31
14."Trance"OguluSarz3:36
15."On a Very Good Day" (featuring Wande Coal)J Fem3:43
16."Birthday" (featuring AKA, Kid X and Da L.E.S)
Emblazon7:18
17."Gone"OguluDeceptikonz3:36
18."Mi O Ni Gba"OguluJ Fem2:58
19."If People Must Die"OguluSpellz3:56
Total length:69:00
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Soke"OguluOrbeat3:38

Notes

  • "—" denotes a skit

Personnel

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Release history

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Release history and formats for On a Spaceship
Region Date Format Label
Various 25 November 2015 Spaceship

References

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  1. ^ "On a Spaceship - Album by Burna Boy". Apple Music. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ^ DJ Sean (17 February 2023). "Burna Boy: ON A SPACESHIP (Album Art)". AceWORLDTEAM. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ EGO (4 April 2015). "Premiere: Burna Boy - SOKE (Prod. by Orbeat)". NotJustOk. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Video: Burna Boy – Soke". Culture Custodian. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  5. ^ Idowu, Tomi (20 January 2016). "Video: Jealousy- Burna Boy". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  6. ^ Akin-Bankole, Feyikemi (24 March 2016). "Video: Rizzla – Burna Boy". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  7. ^ Abiola (9 July 2016). "Burna Boy - 'Duro ni be' ft Phyno". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  8. ^ Idowu, Tomi (23 May 2016). "Video: Duro Ni Be : Burna Boy Ft. Phyno". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  9. ^ C.J. Robertson, Erin (11 July 2016). "Burna Boy Marks His Return to London with 'Realest' Visual and Hot Single 'Pree Me'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  10. ^ Jonathan (7 December 2015). "Burna Boy fails to fly very high with "On A Spaceship" album". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  11. ^ Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (8 February 2016). "Burna Boy — On A Spaceship". Music in Africa. Retrieved 3 September 2024.