Burna Boy Leads With ‘I Told Them…’ – Billboard

Afrobeats star Burna Boy blasts into top spot in the U.K. chart race with I Told Them…, his seventh studio LP.

The Nigeria-born artist leads the Official Chart Update with his latest release, which features assists from Dave, 21 Savage and J. Cole.

If it holds its position, I Told Them… would give Burna Boy his first crown, and fourth U.K. top 40 appearance, after 2019’s African Giant (No. 16), 2020’s Twice As Tall, and 2022’s Love, Damini, which both peaked at No. 2.

At least two tracks from it are predicted to crash the top 40 on the U.K. singles chart, including “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” and “Cheat On Me” with Dave.

Burna Boy’s career has been cooking of late. Earlier this summer, he became the first African artist to headline a stadium concert in the U.K., when he played his Love, Damini tour date at a packed-out 60,000 capacity London Stadium.

Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Burna Boy already has a No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart for 2019’s “Own It,” with Stormzy and Ed Sheeran. On the other side of the Atlantic, he won a Grammy Award for 2020’s Twice as Tall (best global music album), and headlined a headline show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in April 2022.

According to the Official Charts Company, Steps singer Claire Richards could snag a career-best solo appearance with her second LP Euphoria. It’s new at No. 2 on the chart blast, and should outpace her solo debut, 2019’s My Wildest Dreams, which peaked at No. 9.

Shock-rock legend Alice Cooper is on track for his highest-charting album since 1989 with Road, new at No. 3 on the midweek tally, while indie-pop artist Ashnikko’s debut album Weedkiller could plant itself in the top 10. It’s new at No. 4 on the Official Chart Update.

Close behind is Digga D, with the hip-hop artist’s latest full-length set Back to Square One. It’s set to drop in at No. 6. The British rapper, singer and songwriter led the chart last year with his mixtape Noughty By Nature.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday, Sept. 1.