Talibans (song)
| "Talibans" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Burna Boy & Byron Messia - Talibans II.jpg Cover art for the official remix | ||||
| Single by Byron Messia | ||||
| from the album No Love | ||||
| Released | July 20, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Dancehall | |||
| Length | 3:08 | |||
| Label | Ztekk | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Byron Messia singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Burna Boy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Talibans" on YouTube | ||||
| "Talibans II" on YouTube | ||||
"Talibans" is a song by Jamaican recording artist Byron Messia, released on January 20, 2023, from his debut studio album No Love. Considered his breakout song, it went viral in early 2023. An official remix of the song titled "Talibans II" with Nigerian singer Burna Boy was released on July 20, 2023.
Background
[edit | edit source]Byron Messia has explained that "Talibans" is "more of a warning song", and "It's not a crime organization song, it's more like telling somebody 'If you want, we can get down like how di people dem in Afghanistan get down' song." He added, "In the making of 'Taliban', it wasn't even something serious. I never wrote down the lyrics for Taliban. It's based on pure inside jokes".[1]
Composition
[edit | edit source]The production of the song includes syncopated percussion and "atmospheric" synth pads.[2]
Critical reception
[edit | edit source]Brandon Callender of The Fader wrote that in the song Byron Messia "oscillates between sinking into the song's deep groove and spotlighting his resonant vibrato. His vocal control makes me think of how artists like NoCap switch from tough-talking raps to full-blown yelps seemingly without warning."[3]
Music video
[edit | edit source]A music video for the song was directed by Ty Lott and Neatz Films. It contains a wide presence of guns and a murder is simulated toward the end.[1]
Remix
[edit | edit source]The official remix of the song, released on July 20, 2023, is a collaboration with Burna Boy and the second single from his seventh studio album I Told Them... (2023). It features a new verse from Byron Messia, in which he brags about his relationship with Jamaican singer Jada Kingdom.[4]
Critical reception
[edit | edit source]The remix was well received by music critics. Wongo Okon of Uproxx commented, "The remix begins with a strong entrance from Burna before Byron returns with his original verse."[4] Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop wrote of the production, "Of course, it may sound sparse at first glance, but it actually creates special emphasis on the performers here for them to lead 'Talibans II' to its peaks." Nevares further wrote, "Burna Boy and Byron Messia are in top form here, flowing with ease, confidence, and charisma through their melodic verses and refrains. While the lyrical matter here ranges from boastful to threatening, the sonic pallet keeps things chilled out, and their voices inject passion into the song."[2]
Music video
[edit | edit source]The music video premiered alongside the single. Filmed in Jamaica,[4][5] it finds Byron Messia and Burna Boy hanging out at a resort by the beach,[5] a tennis court and golf course.[6][7]
Charts
[edit | edit source]| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 53 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 39 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 99 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[11] | 20 |
Certifications
[edit | edit source]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[12] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ "Burna Boy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).