Thursday, June 11, 2020

Documenting The Global Reach Of Nigerian Singer Burna Boy's 2018 "Gbona" Song & Video

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series about Burna Boy and his 2018 hit song "Gbona".

Part III presents selected comments from the discussion thread of the YouTube video for Burna Boy's song "Gbona". Most of these comments document the global reach of that song, providing some examples of comments from a number of African nations and some other nations around the world.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/06/burna-boy-gbona-official-music-video.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information about Burna Boy and showcases the official YouTube video of his 2018 song "Gbona".

The Yoruba/Nigeria Pidgin English lyrics for that song are also included in that post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/06/burna-boy-gbona-official-music-video.html for Part II of this series. Part II quotes some commenters from the discussion thread of the YouTube video for Burna Boy's song "Gbona". Those comments provide explanations in English about what the lyrics of this song mean.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners. 

Thanks to Burna Boy for his musical legacy and thanks to all those who were associated with this video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this song on YouTube.

**** 
SHOWCASE VIDEO



Burna Boy, September 27, 2018

****
EXAMPLES OF YOUTUBE COMMENTS THAT DOCUMENT THE GLOBAL REACH OF BURNA BOY'S 2018 "GBONA" SONG & VIDEO 


Most of these comments include a reference to the commenter's geographical location and/or race/ethnicity. This is only a small sample of these types of comments from that video's discussion thread.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.


1. olwethu mncedane, 2019
"Killing it salute to Nigerian music"

**
2. 
Le volte 7, 2019
"Nigeria best music love πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬"

**
3. 
Emmanuel Nonyane, 2019
"south Africa approve"

**
4. 
Abbas Salvatore, 2019
"Representing Tanzania!!"

**
5. 
Leroy Lizondro, 2019
"Italian somali en la casaπŸ”₯πŸ”₯
thats my Burna"

**
4. Gerard way, 2019
"Salutes from Panama πŸ‡΅πŸ‡¦πŸ‡΅πŸ‡¦πŸ‡΅πŸ‡¦πŸ‡΅πŸ‡¦"

**
5. 
Grace Oduro Asante, 2019

"April...... 2019 who is Here........Big Love from Ghana ....."

**
6. 
Nadine M, 2019
"With love from Russia ♥"

**
7. 
Anae O'Neal, 2019

"As an African (American), Afrobeats does something to me. my body cant stay still when I listen πŸ˜‚ I guess it’s ancestral. It’s in our blood. I love the culture we’ve created for ourselves here in America but I can’t help but feel so much closer to our forefathers & our ancestral land when hearing Afrobeats. It’s the most authentic and moving sound I’ve ever heard . . . I can’t explain it. We’ve been removed from Africa for 400+ years, and somehow I can still feel the spirit of my people. Reconnecting to my people and my roots makes me feel so . . . Whole. Like we, as AAs, aren’t alone anymore. I guess we never were, and we’re just taught to believe that. Isolation is the first act of an abuser. For so long we’ve been told we were alone in the world without family, without lineage, without land to go back to, etc. . .  I get emotional about it every time . 🀦🏽‍♀️ so glad that We know better now. much love from Baltimore πŸ’•✌🏾

Edit: wow I wasn’t expecting such an outpouring of love. Again, this is another example of the lies we’ve been taught . In these comments I see nothing but kind and welcoming responses by other Africans in the diaspora. Yet, there’s always been a stigma that AAs don’t like continental Africans and Vice versa. Don’t believe the hype πŸ—£ they’d hate to see us unify so they spread lies . Love you all SO much and thank you for receiving my words with such an open heart ♥️πŸ–€πŸ’š
-snip-
There were a total of 1.
5K likes and 93 comments for this specific comment as of June 10, 2020 at 10:08 PM. There were also likes for some of these replies.

**
REPLY
8. 
jifunze mambo, 2019
"This comment touched me so much,may our ancestors keep connectin' us mysteriously and make Marcus Garvey's dream come trueπŸ™"

**
REPLY
9. Afri Media, 2019
"Anae O'Neal Word !! You moved this old African ! Love and Respect!"

**
REPLY
10. Anae O'Neal, 2019
"Afri Media ♥️♥️♥️"

**
REPLY
11. 
God's Son, 2019
"One Africa. One love.πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ"

**
REPLY
12. TheRealist, 2019
"Anae O'Neal welcome home Sis! πŸ’š"

**|
REPLY
13. Anae O'Neal, 2019
"TheRealist thank you love πŸ’•πŸ’•"

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REPLY
14. D double D Double D, 2019
"Love from the motherland. We have both been lied to."

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REPLY
15. Majesti, 2019
"My exact thoughts πŸ˜­πŸ’•"

**
REPLY
16. 93m1n1, 2019
"Anae O'Neal Sis! Reading this was stressful for my tear ducts, eyes & lungs!!, I was chokin back tears at “AAs, aren’t alone anymore.. I guess we were never” What a powerful statement!! Love Love LOVE this! πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€πŸ–€ You’re right y’all was never alone, we all were just confused by the same creatures but like we say in Yoruba (Nigeria) - “Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner” We, the owners are comin back to collect everything & then some!!! Love from Laurel MD πŸ–€"

**
REPLY
17. Duchess Lee, 2019
"Anae O'Neal your comment almost had me in tears. Welcome home sis!!! πŸ€—"

**
REPLY
18. GW Tekz, 2020
"
@Kristradamus I think some genres of Latin music has African roots. Because Africans were shipped all over the globe through the slave trade, not only just north America, like even to brazil, Puerto Rico, Cuba, domican Republic and so on. If you didn't know all the genres of popular music has African origins, it all started from blues which the slaves started."
-snip-
I couldn't find Kristradamus' comment, but it appears that it referred to this song as sounding like Latin music.

**
REPLY 
19. GW Tekz, 2020
"@KristradamusPortugal and Spain were one of the first two  countries to explore Africa and to start trading goods and slaves. That's why Latin music has African roots as well it's a mixture of the African culture and Spanish and Portuguese music. As you know Spain conquered a lot of South America. The black people in South America have African decent. You need to read up on Spanish, Portuguese and South American history"

 **
REPLY
20. Fazolka Torres, 2020
"
I feel you my brother. I was born and raised in Czech Republic, middle Europe. But my father was musician from Cuba. From there it leads back to motherland as well. No matter where we are, we will always remember and feel where we come from."

**
REPLY
21. Julijie Jonka, 2020
"
You're not an "African" you're American and you should embrace it!!!! I'm German and my Mother is from d. R Congo but still I'm embracing my Germaness with all my heart and I show love to my Congolese side. That's nothing someone should put aside"**
REPLY
22. Mary Jane, 2020
"
Lovely words
I am romanian and  can’t stay still on afrobeats.
We are all connected"

**
REPLY
23, Maria Alexandropoulou, 2020
"
I'm greek/Spanish and afrobeat music has the same effect on my body πŸ˜‚"

**
REPLY
24. 
James Anderson, 2020
"
Every word you wrote , I feel.   As one who was born in.U.S. , this Afrobeat music speaks to me.  My African ancestry, blood, and spirit answers.."

**
REPLY
25. 
Maja Popovska, 2020
"
I'm a white Eastern European girl, literally could not be further from your cultural background and ancestry lol but I LOVEEEE afrobeats, there is something about it that just moves me really deeply!"

**
REPLY
26. Derrick C. Ndu, 2020
"
"No matter where you come from as long as you're a black man, you're an African" - Peter Tosh.

You have always been African, you just have American citizenship"

**
REPLY
27. Emmanuel Lagace, 2020
"As a French “Acadian”/English/Mi’Gmak” Canadian, Afrobeats got me moving like I know what I’m doing, however, the best part is that I actually surprise myself.

Maybe it’s because my Parents always talked about Africa and the World “Cultured” as they were both minoritΓ©s as well and face discrimination and adversities.

One World.🌍
One People.πŸ€œπŸΌπŸ€›πŸΏ
One Love.

Cheers.✌πŸΌπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦"

**
REPLY
28. Allan Ndirangu, 2020
"
@Anae O'Neal Don't stop here. Listen to South African "Kwaito Music" It's a whole new sound that will completely open your eyes to Africa's diversity. Quality music all over Africa. Don't rest."

**
REPLY
29. M- K, 2020
"This has literally given me chills. So beautiful. The ancestors are proud of you hunny and just know you are welcome in Africa. We many not have our shit together but I know one day we will. We love African American music here too. Much love from Kenya."

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REPLY
30. 
Anae O'Neal, 2020
"
M- K thanks so much for the love and support ♥️πŸ–€πŸ’š I just took my ancestry dna and was partial Kenyan πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ much love honey πŸ’œ"
**
REPLY
31. M- K, 2020
"
@Anae O'Neal Oh my! 😍😍 Consider yourself a sister and a rafiki to me. Rafiki means a friend. Much love and blessings 😍😍😍

**
REPLY
32. 
Charles Nyamumbo, 2020
"We might be miles away but their internet is bringing us together"
**
33. Kyele Thompson, 2019
"
I actually heard this on the radio and I had to find it. It sounds so good and has that chill back rhythm that I like. Nuff love from Jamaica πŸ‡―πŸ‡²πŸ‡―πŸ‡²"

**
REPLY
34. TheRealist, 2019
"
Kyele Thompson If you are new to Burna Boy, check out “Ye”, “Rock Your Body”, “On the Low”, “Streets of Africa”, “Sekkle Down”, “Killin Dem”, “Yawa Dey”, “Giddem” and so much more. And then of course there’s his new “African Giant” album. Burna is a mood! πŸ”₯"**
REPLY
35. Kyele Thompson, 2019
"
Yeah man I like his songs. If only he was more recognized πŸ˜’. "Ye" is actually playing alot more in Jamaica right now thoπŸ”₯"
**36. Kevin Frias, 2019
"
OK... I was born and raced in Panama from Jamaican grandparents. I started paying more attention to African artists a few years ago and I can't explain how proud I am to see all the success they're having with their beats and songs. I just thank them all for making all of us black people descendant of the inhuman slavery that brought our ancestors from our mother land AFRICA. You guys keep it going and making more of us proud!!!
You'll never know how much I wish to know my relatives from motherland but it is nearly impossible so the only way to connect is through this music!!!
Thumbs up if you agree with me."
-snip-
This comment had 
1.2K likes and 48 replies as of June 10, 2020.

**
REPLY
37. 
Truthmatter by Ola dada, 2019
"
We love you fam"

**
REPLY
38. 
Kyla, 2019
"
You're still family- visit Africa if you can. Nigeria, Ghana, SA, Kenya (anywhere)- you'll feel at home. Don't let anyone make you feel disconnected, we're all one."

**
REPLY
39. 
 Bola, 2019
"
You'll be alright! We've gatchu! They tried to divide us but blood always speaks to blood."

**
REPLY
40. 
Fiston Niyomugabo, 2019
"
Visit the continent bro, am pretty sure you understood much prejudices and stereotypes due to the white agenda that here is not safe this and that, but we assure you as you are alive they can't make you fail to embrace your roots whatever, #VisitRwanda, visit Africa you see the nature and breathtaking beauty of our continent with our rich culture. Thank you."

**
REPLY
41. 
Ahmed Weli, 2019
"
Kevin Frias  that makes you African bro you are from east to the west and from north all the way to the south. You are from Somalia n Ethiopia, you are from Ghana and Gabon. My friend you are from the heart beat of Africa aka Nigeria and you are related to the kings of Zulu in the south. Simply you are African. A

**
42. ali pamba, 2019
"
Burna boy is well representing Afican beats and artistry!
All the way from Zanzibar island -Tanzania"

**
43. 
Shaban Mwangia, 2019
"
My ringtone from Tanzania tunawapenda"
**
44. Diane Kabinet, 2019
"
Respect we want to come in guinea Conakry. ..you are most famous"
**
45. Ntamavyariro Eric, 2019
"
Follow musician from burundi sing like BURNA BOY, same voice.   is name is (MIRACULO LOP'S) on YouTube"

**
46. 
Moon Shakya, 2019
"
NEPAL"

**
47. Jasmyn W., 2019
"
Adoreee this music 🀩🀩πŸ”₯ AfroVibezzzπŸ˜πŸ˜πŸ’ƒπŸ» much love from The Netherlands ❤πŸ‡³πŸ‡±"
**
48. Mahalia Villafana, 2019
"
I'm so loving this from Burna Boy😍..... Much love from Trinidad and Tobago😘."

**
REPLY
49. Ladi Olorunfunmi, 2019
"
Distant relative"

**
REPLY
 
50. Solomon Ik, 2019
"
one love"

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51. Ericka j., 2019
"
This sounds exactly like Haitian music, and it’s tripping me out"

**
REPLY
52. 
Tan Hen, 2019
"
Not surprising considering where Haitians came from."

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REPLY
53. TheRealist, 2019
"
Ericka j. welcome home πŸ’š"

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54. 
Gloria, 2019
"
Qualche italiano che sta guardando questo video? I love this song"
-snip-
Google translate from Italian to English:
"Any Italian who is watching this video?"

**
55. 
Maria Jose Morales, 2019
"Greetings from the African Diaspora in Colombia, Cartagena de Indias. πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯"

**
REPLY
56. TheRealist, 2019
"
Maria Jose Morales welcome Sis! πŸ’š"

**
57. hosny bitodi, 2019
"
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©DRC FOR LOVE THIS SONG IS SO STRONG CONRATULATION BURNA BOY πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©πŸ‡¨πŸ‡©"
-snip-
"CD" and "DRC" are abbreviations for the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
**
58. Zam Zweat, 2019
"
We love this song viva somaliland"
**
59. Jsuzvz Dhsblzkz, 2019
"
Gbona --> Gabon πŸ‡¬πŸ‡¦"

**
REPLY

60. Afri Media, 2019
"Jsuzvz Dhsblzkz hmmm ! Clever !"

**
61. 
Ahmed Bilal, 2019
"
Love ❤️ for Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ Love ❤️ for Africa 🌍. From Pakistan πŸ‡΅πŸ‡°"

**
62. 
Eren, 2019
"
Respect from πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ as a kurd"
-snip-
"DE" is an abbreviation for Germany.

**
63. Miguel Lizana, 2019
"
AlgΓΊn chileno por ahi??? πŸ‡¨πŸ‡±"
-snip-
Are there any Chileans (people from Chile) here?

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64. 
Anaelle Nael, 2019
"
Im Mauritian and i love this songGood vibes"

**
65. I am soulztouch, 2019
"
Plzzzzz come to Jamaica πŸ‡―πŸ‡²...... you the best πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­"

**
REPLY
66. 
Mofe John, 2019
"
We love u 4rom AbujaπŸ’œ✌"
-snip-
"Abuja" is the capital of Nigeria.


**
67. aurore tamakloe, 2019
"
From Togo : this bΓ©at will kill me"

**
REPLY
68. HIGH CHIEF, 2019
"
sweetheart please don't die ooo"

**
69. A. Seda Ateş, 2019
"I've been in love with Afrobeat for years, love from turkey lol keep the good work going pleasee"

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70. 
Publicly Applied, 2019
"
Can someone drop the lyrics so I can sing along while enjoying the video. Stunning! Love from Suriname!"

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71. Libra Africa, 2019
"
Burna Boy is the best..1 in a million. Best African Artist by far. With Love from Zambia"

**
72. Nuh Abdi, 2019
"
Any somali in the house?

**
73. EloΓ―ck THMS, 2019
"Reunion?"
-snip-
 In this comment"Reunion" refers to an island that is an overseas department of France in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar and Mauritius. 


**
74. Anshuman k, 2019
"
Love from India"

**
75. 
Mukungu Hamidu Juma, 2019
"
Nigeria and Uganda music rocking planet earth"

**
76. Akar, 2019
"Dance with our ancestors....Cameroon! CMCMCM" 

**
77. World Darling, 2019
"Pure love from Grenada. Love Burna Boy love  Nigeria. Black women are so damm beautiful.The best of God's creation."

**
78. 
Poor Girl Magic, 2019
"
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!! My African sistas are sooooo Dope😍😍😍😍πŸ₯°πŸ”₯ Burna you a rockstar for this!!! Mad love from NYC!!!πŸ”₯πŸ”₯😘😘"

**
79. 
Mc Radics, 2019
"
NUFF LOVE FROM KENYA"

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80. 
Sanou Diaz, 2019
"
Burnaboy, love you from Ivory Coast."

**
81. 
Writin Wizard, 2019
"
Videos like this just remind me I need to get out of the UK and back to the motherland where I belong #emotional"
**
82. milkiass debele, 2019
"
Much love from Ethiopia πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉπŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ή we fux with you heavyyyy..keep blessing us with these hits my G"

**
83. Freddy rasiel Polanco, 2019
"
Am dominican and I love this music this track is too much πŸ‘Œ"

**
84. Y E., 2019
"
Artist on the rise on YouTube? Well for Africans he is been a big deal for years.
One love from a Togolese in America.
Afrobeats on the rise"

**
85. Rasta Storr, 2019
"
I wish more black folks listen to music like this in my country blessed love from the Bahamas"

**
86. Victor Kigen, 2019
"
From kenya but believe me you this is a club banger over here. It is lit"

**
87. 
jics industries, 2019
"
all the way from china, if you know you still going to watch this in 2019, gather here lets snap picture, for future reference"

**
88. 
07 A.P., 2019
"
FROM PANAMÁ.....507..πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯"

**
89. 
samwel manishimwe, 2019
"
cool iam your fan from rwanda  i have 18 years old"

**
90. 
Anna FaΕ‚owska, 2019
"
Bless from Poland! ✌ maad"

**
91. 
Avish Beelatoo, 2019
"
its a hit in mauritius. Lots of love from mauritius. proud to be african"

**
92. 
Dorota Lakatosz, 2020
"
Gypsy love it"

**
93. 
D A V I D, 2020
"Good old 2018 days in Nigeria"
**
94. Ilayda GΓΌney, 2020
"
As a turkish woman, born and raised in Germany, i feel like I´m in the wrong body or culture. When something like that doesn´t get more attention, we know the world is bad, because Afrobeats does somethin to your body and soul. It is like an eletric shock that wakes you up. all bad and dark things in your life are blown away. It is a vibe in it itself. It touches your soul and you cant stay still, you need to dance, laugh and just be happy. I love the african culture and i wish people in europe would appreciate it more. Hopefully someday I can see those vibez with my own eyes and just dancin and feelin happy."

**
95.  
 El Corr, 2020
"Music is too good ❤️ All respect for my fellow Africans from Tunisia πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡³ to Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬"

****
This concludes Part III of this three part pancocojams series on Burna Boy's song "Gbona".

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

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