Wikipedia

Sittin' on Top of the World (Burna Boy song)

"Sittin' on Top of the World" is a song by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, released on 1 June 2023 as the lead single from his seventh studio album I Told Them... (2023). Produced by Skread, it contains a sample of "Top of the World" by Brandy featuring Mase. An official remix of the song featuring Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage was released on 23 June 2023.

"Sittin' on Top of the World"
Single by Burna Boy
from the album I Told Them...
Released1 June 2023
Length2:39
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Skread
Burna Boy singles chronology
"Mera Na"
(2023) 		"Sittin' on Top of the World"
(2023) 		"Sittin' on Top of the World (Remix)"
(2023)
Music video
"Sittin' on Top of the World (feat. 21 Savage)" on YouTube
Remix cover
Cover art of the official remix featuring 21 Savage.
Cover art of the official remix featuring 21 Savage.

The remix received a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[1] Burna boy performed the song at the ceremony on February 4, 2024, alongside Brandy and 21 Savage.[2][3]

Background edit

On 26 May 2023, Burna Boy teased the song with a clip of him playing it for American rapper RZA on social media.[4] The song was also released alongside a lyric video.[5]

Composition edit

The song heavily samples "Top of the World";[4][5][6][7][8] it is a departure from Burna Boy's signature afrobeats style,[6] featuring a fusion of old-school hip hop, R&B and pop elements.[8] Lyrically, it finds Burna Boy promising to share the riches and luxuries from his success with a special woman in his life.[6][7][8]

Remix edit

The official remix features 21 Savage and was released on 23 June 2023,[9] having previously been leaked online.[10] It adds a guest verse from 21 Savage, who raps about wealth, women and success.[11] Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop gave a positive review of the remix, stating "The vibe of this track is truly undeniable. If you have been following Burna Boy and his career, then you know his vibe is simply immaculate. He is always bringing out the best in himself and the artists around him. Consequently, 21 Savage was able to feed off of that and turn in a verse that will turn some heads. Additionally, the production here is amazing as the Ma$e sample will have people coming back for more. It's a collab that not everyone expected, but it certainly worked out in the end."[12]

Music video edit

A music video for the remix was directed by Troy Roscoe and premiered on 26 June 2023. It shows shots of Burna Boy taking pictures with friends in a photo booth,[11][13][14] at a rooftop dance party with classic cars (where he is seen rocking an Avirex jacket, baggy jeans, Timbs and his hat to the back and hanging out of a lowrider at one point),[11][13][14] Through special effects, Burna Boy is also seen in outer space with a lover,[11][14] on a vertical highway,[11] and gracing the covers of multiple magazines.[13] 21 Savage appears rapping in a stark white background.[14]

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Chart performance for "Sittin' on Top of the World"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 98
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 36
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[17] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 36
UK Afrobeats Singles (OCC)[19] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 80
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[21] 2

Year-end charts edit

Year-end chart performance for "Sittin' on Top of the World"
Chart (2023) Position
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[22] 19

References edit

  1. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  2. ^ Duran, Anagricel (5 February 2024). "Watch Burna Boy perform with Brandy and 21 Savage at Grammys 2024". NME. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. ^ Hiatt, Brian (1 February 2024). "21 Savage and Brandy Will Join Burna Boy for Historic Grammys Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Brodsky, Rachel (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy – "Sittin On Top Of The World"". Stereogum. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy Is 'Sittin' on Top of the World' in New Song & Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Helfand, Raphael (1 June 2023). "Hear Burna Boy's celebratory new song "Sittin On Top Of The World"". The Fader. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b Gonzalez, Alex (1 June 2023). "Burna Boy Finds Himself 'Sittin' On Top Of The World' On His '90s Hip-Hop Sampling New Single". Uproxx. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Caraan, Sophie (2 June 2023). "Burna Boy Samples Brandy in New Single "Sittin' On Top Of The World"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  9. ^ McKinney, Jessica (23 June 2023). "Best New Music This Week: Young Thug, Coi Leray, Key Glock, and More". Complex. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  10. ^ Alexandria, Lavender (22 June 2023). "21 Savage And Burna Boy Song Leaks Online". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e Powell, Jon (27 June 2023). "Burna Boy and 21 Savage are "Sittin' On Top Of The World" in spaced-out visual". Revolt. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  12. ^ Cole, Alexander (26 June 2023). "21 Savage Hops On The Remix Of Burna Boy's "Sittin' On Top Of The World"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Griffin, Marc (27 June 2023). "Burna Boy, 21 Savage Channel '90s Energy In "Sittin' On Top Of The World" Video". Vibe. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d "Burna Boy Parties Like It's 1999 In 'Sittin' On Top Of The World'". Soul Bounce. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Burna Boy – Sittin' on Top of the World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Burna Boy – Sittin' on Top of the World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  17. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  19. ^ "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sittin%27_on_Top_of_the_World_(Burna_Boy_song)&oldid=1212498304"