The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Burna Boy - "One Night in Space"

Episode Date: May 1, 2022

Grammy Award-winner Burna Boy discusses producing his album "Twice as Tall" on Zoom, having his mom for a manager, and being the first Nigerian artist to sell out Madison Square Garden with "One Night in Space."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Comedy Central. Bounda boy! The man, the myth and the legend. I don't know about all that. How you doing, my friend's been a long time, man. Yeah. Yeah, you've been conquering the world. The last time we spoke, we were just talking about how amazing your album was going. African Giant, it was killing it, people were loving it, was blowing up all over the globe.

I was talking about the Grammys, your future aspirations. Then the pandemic hit. You produced an album in that pandemic and you went on to win your first Grammy. Congratulations, brother. Congratulations. Congratulations. So let's start with that. Let's start with that. I was shocked to find out that you produced the album like on Zoom. I mean, you've got some of the biggest like on zoom. I mean you've got some of the biggest features on the you know got everybody from Chris Martin and you you do this on Zoom? Yeah

technology. But how do you know it's going well on Zoom? Like I don't even know if someone's... You don't. Oh okay. You hope for the best. Was there ever a moment where you were recording something on Zoom? It sounded great then you got it then no it doesn't sound... it's not like like a a the the the the the the the the the the the th. th. th. th. th. the th. thi thi thi. the thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th. th. th. th. th. thi. You the. th. th. th. th. You're th. You're th. You're th. You're th. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.... Yeah.. Yeah... Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I. I's the the the the the the the the the th. I's the th. I's the th. I's th. I's the the th. I's the th. I th. I, then you're like, no, it doesn't sound. No, it's not like you record the song on Zoom. It's not like Zoom has a recording studio. I don't know, man. I don't know how Zoom works. No, it's like, so basically you just have the laptop on in the studio with all the parties involved, and while we're making the music and stuff, and then, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, th, the, thi, thi, thi, it, it's, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not like, it's not like, it's not like, it's not like, it's not like, it's not like, it's not like, it's not, it, it's not, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it's thume, it's thume, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not, th... It's not, th. It's not, thin, th. It's not, th. It's not, th. It's not, th. It's not, th. It's not, th-I's not, th-I's not, th-I's not, th-s, th-s know everyone's like okay yeah this is the song we have to choose right to choose this you know and then yeah it just

worked out. I want to ask you about the artists though you know one thing I've truly loved is how like Nigerian artists have taken Africa to the world man you've blown up the content everyone is now trying to emulate what Nigerian artists are creating. But surely there are... Except that government. Except... Are there artists that you dreamed of working with, when you were working with them?

their artists that you were shocked to be working with, when you were working with, everyone, everyone on the last album was... And the previous, like working with Angeliki, on the previous one, and working with Usund Do. Like these are people I watched on TV when I was in Pampas, you know. So it's like seeing them in real life and actually making music with them,

and you know, getting the love and all that. Sometimes it gets kind of weird because I'm like, it's like my mom loves you. Your mom, a lot of people may not know this, but your mom is your manager. Yeah, Mama Burner, crushes it by the way. I love her. Love her to pick it. But here's what I've always wondered. And it seems different. You know, in America there's a culture of, they call them the momagers, you know,

and it's like this idea, it's like if your parents is your manager, things always go wrong. On your side it feels like it's gone the exact opposite. If your parents are an American manager. But surely, was there not a part of you that was worried about having your mom be a manager? I mean, no, it's like, it's obviously it's not all peaches and roses. Yeah. You get me, boy, it's a lot of food. So I mean, that makes me happy enough. You're the artists. Your mom is the manager.

Technically that's a power balance that has shifted over. But now she's your mom and she's an African, it, it's like like like like, it's the the the the the the the the the the thiiiiiia, it's like is the the the tha, it's like is is tha, it's like like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha thia thia thia thia thia, like thia, like thia, like, like, like, thia, like, tha.a.a.a. It's like, like, like, it's like, like, it's like, like, it's like, like, like, like, it's like,the manager. Technically that's a power balance that has shifted over, but now she's your mom and she's an African mom, which means the power balance never shifts over. So, exactly. So are there moments where your mom goes like, no, this is how we're doing it and that's how we do it? Well, I mean, you know what she does now, like she used to do that and then that wouldn't work out for her because you know it's like, you got me. I like how you just get stoic, I'm not moving.

Exactly. So she figured out some other way. She would make me feel like it's my decision. You're making me feel like it's my decision. You're trying to say congratulations you're traveling around the world. Yo, can I just say congratulations as well and everything? I mean selling out the O2 arena in London, selling out, you know the forum in Hollywood now the first Nigerian artist to ever sell out Madison Square Garden and to play it as well.

You know one thing, you know one thing I always wondered like, yeah, why, why, how come, when when it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's the the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, thing I always wondered, like, why, why, how come when it's me, they always point out the fact that I'm the first to do it, like the first n-fee that landed on the moon. You feel me? It's like, why, why when rock bands perform in Tokyo, and stuff? They don't say the first American rock band to perform in Tokyo. I think because they're surprised. There is an element of surprise, you know? But why?

Because we've come a long way. Do you know how far Madison Square Garden is from Africa? Yeah, but like, do you know how far away? to toke is for the kiss and... But you see, that's the thing, if you think about it. Culture has for such a long ti tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha tha thi, th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. Because, thi, thi. Because, thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi. Because, because thi thoooo it makes sense in a way for people to go like, of course the music's gonna go there, of course the comedian's gonna go there, do you know what I mean?

But now, think about it, things are like to move on. Yeah, but think about it, right? For the world to change the way it has, I mean, you see Beyonce incorporating your music into her vibe. Do you get what I'm saying? These are big things that have never happened. And it's beautiful. Everyone's amazing. If I was her, I would incorporate my music into her vibe. You know, every time, what I love speaking to you is every time I see the biggest difference

between Nigerians and almost every other African is that like every other African has like a very What's the word I'm looking for it very timid approach to life Like literally like if you say to like a South African hey Trevor, you're doing well How are things going then as a South African my my instinct to respond is like I'm I'm trying? I'm trying you know, you know, I'm doing? You know, I'm doing okay. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm doing. I'm this is what I mean by Nigerians. This is what I mean. No, no, but this is what I mean. And everywhere, you go to Kenya, everything. How, how are things? That's the thing, we don't lie unless we want to scam you. We don't be like, yeah. So you think it's that.

It's just like, that's not something something something something something something something something something it. They won't be like, yeah. So you think it's that? It's just like, tel something to lie, but it's like, if you're in court and you're about to go to jail, you should lie. You get me? But if you're killing it. If you're doing that thing. Before we talk about that, let's talk about this. Why every time, this is the second time I come here. You never offer me no drink. It's like, you offer me chocolates and tea and like I'm bugs bony or tell it.

I need a drink, man. What do you want me to offer you? Things that people that look like me would... Maybe take these these these these these glasses these glasses these glasses th you th glasses th you thake the thi thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. What me thinks thinks that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that thinks. What that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that. that. that. that. that. What that that to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to tho. What tho. What thi. What thi. What thi. What thi. What thi. What thi. What thinks. What thinks. What thinks. It is. What thinks. What thinks. It's thinks. It's thinks. You are thinks. You thinks. You thinks. You thinks. You thinks. You thinks. You thinks. You thinks. What thinks. What thinks. Maybe take this glasses off so you understand. So you see that I'm actually a real person that needs a drink. You know what I love, I can always get you a drink. The only thing I have to remember is to switch out the things that happen because I'll get you the drink and then I'll leave the drinks there and then you find like, let's say like Kamala Harris comes to the show the next day.......... the the the the the the the the the the the th. So th. So th. So that. So that. So that. So that. So that. So that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that's that's that's that's that that that that that that that that that that that that that's that's that's that's that's that's that that that that that that that that that that that that that that. So that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that th. So th. So th. So thee the things that happen, because I'll get you the drink, and then I'll leave the drinks there, and then you find, let's say, like, Kamala Harris comes to the show the next day, and then backstage, she's like, wow, I was getting turned.

What is your drink of choice? What would you like next? I'll make sure I get a few next time. Okay, you'll tell me better. But you want, so water is not for burner? No, water is definitely for me, but it's like, you know, when I'm dressed like this... Well, I mean, I already got some weeds, I'm good. Make sure we get burner. What else would you like backstage? Well, I mean, I already got some weeds, I'm good. This is what I love about. This is what I love about

really with you. All right now can we talk about the album? Yeah yeah for sure. Now that you've called me out for offering you stiff drinks. Very rude. I like how angry about the and chocolates. How can you offer me chocolate? With pretzoo. What is it what is the pretzoo? What is it? What is it? What is he Prezoo? You don't know when it's coming? We don't know who's going to be. Like I saw a snippet of you in the studio. Oh man. You've teased the album, but you've done that thing artists do where we don't know when it's coming. Like I saw a snippet of you in the studio. I saw Ed Shearin looks like he's going to be on the album. the album. But. But. the album. But the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album. the album the album the album th. th. to be th. th. th. th. thi. the. thi. thi. thi. thi. to is is to is to be to be to be to be to be toet of you in the studio, I saw Ed Sheeran. And people lost their mind, so I was like, Ed Sheeran looks like he's gonna be on the album,

but you won't tell it. When is the album coming out, Brunner? Ah. Ah, okay. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. You see that's the thing. I didn't say anything. Oh, okay. So I didn't like. Silence. All right. Okay. You know what I'll give you. Now because

you're my guy. Okay. You know I won't let you down. Yeah. Front of all these people. Um. Okay. So hmm. I'll give you a hint. Yeah. It's gonna come out on a day everyone celebrates for their self when it's their own day. All right, I don't know what that means, but I feel it. Something deep for you to take home. You just left me with a riddle that I've got to go and figure out now. I'm like, is it a Friday, is it a birthday, is it a Sunday, is a Saturday, depends on the day that you celebrate what you do?

No, not what you do, you just celebrate. It's like, it's not everybody in the world that has a job, you know. So it's like, nobody, nobody has, but this everybody has it, so everybody has their day to celebrate. Okay, we're gonna figure this out, we're gonna figure this out. Burner Boy, everybody. Thank you so much for joining on the show again, my dude. Good to have you.

And I'll have the drink next time. Watch the Daily Show, weeknights at 10th Central Podcast. Century and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Plus. This has been a Comedy Central podcast.