Since debuting in the front half of the 2010s, Nigerian Afrobeat star Burna Boy has steadily increased his global presence, breaking into pop music at large with 2019's African Giant, then climbing a few rungs higher with 2020's Twice as Tall. With his sixth album, Love, Damini, the versatile singer expands his sound and is rewarded with Top Ten placements in several countries while hitting number 14 on the Billboard 200. From its bevy of producers to its barrage of A-list guest stars, Love, Damini was already poised for dominance, but the album's more personal nature is a bigger part of its appeal. Deftly clashing genres and subjects, Burna conveys romantic longing, sexy swagger, and despair over a lengthy 19 tracks that feature an eclectic range of guests. Contributions from South African vocal legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo bookend the record while in between, Burna hosts global titans including Jamaican deejay Popcaan, English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, and Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin. Despite its panoply of styles and personnel, the album remains consistently interesting while still adhering to the Afro-fusion vibe that is his hallmark. ~ Timothy Monger