Watch the Stunning Music Video for Burna Boy and DJDS' 'Thuggin/Darko'
This one's a must-see.
Last week, Burna Boy and American production duo DJDS dropped their joint EP Steel & Copper, a moody 4-track collection that saw the genre-bending artist showcasing his versatility atop gritty production.
Today, the artists share the joint music video for EP standouts "Thuggin/Darko," an emotive track that sees Burna Boy reflecting on those lost and grappling with the trials of a tough lifestyle. "This life done took my brothers, but I, I'm still thuggin' anyway," he sings over spacious strings and stuttering high-hats.
The video is packed with gripping imagery, beginning with melancholic black and white shots of Burna Boy caring for a motherly figure in his home before engaging in a street fight that turns deadly for one of the men involved.
Things get more colorful in the second half of the video, which shifts to that track "Darko" which sees the visual transform and take on a more upbeat tone. Dancers surround the young man with ethereal movements, almost as if they are his guardian angels taking him to a more promising afterlife.
The spiritual elements are apparent in the video, and it feels like a commentary on death and the delicacy of life.
The dream-like video was directed by Daniel Regan and features styling from Nigerian fashion photographer Stephen Tayo.
Burna Boy is the subject of YouTube's recent Artist Spotlight Stories, which documents his rise to fame, offering a more intimate look into the singer's life with commentary from people close to him, including his mother,OkayAfrica 100 Women honoree Bose Ogulu.
Watch the music video for "Thuggin/Darko" below.