South Africans welcome back Burna Boy after “Jerusalema” remix

Ifeanyi Daniels

Less than 24 hours after the official release of “Jerusalema” song by South African hit maker, Master KG, featuring Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, Burna Boy, and the South African vocalist, Nomcebo Zikode, music lovers across the world have been buzzing with excitement.

“Jeruselama”, which was first released on March 29, 2019, has become a singsong across Africa, with its sing along verses and high tempo, danceable beats, produced by Master KG, which has seen individuals and groups across Africa releasing their own video mash ups on Youtube in honour of the song.

In the remixed version released on Friday, featuring Burna Boy, the 2020 Grammy nominee brought his unique Afrobeat flair to bear on the chart toping track.

 Burna begins the remixed version in Zulu language and then code switches to English, Pidgin English and Yoruba, while Nomcebo retains her grip on the original verses of the first release rendered in arresting Zulu.

Incredibly, the song has jumped unto the top of South African music chart upon release. 

ADV Maponya, a South African, tweeted: “I forgive Burna after that Jerusalema remix”, while his compatriot, iNjinga tweeted: “He can come back now@burnaboy. Its fine now, we are good. You can come in again.”

 Another South African, DK, tweeted: “Do we now forgive Burna? Love the song.”

Reacting to the release of the song today, Burna Boy said, “I’m especially attracted to songs that go deeper than the surface. I had to sprinkle some Burna sauce there.

“Honestly I hope everyone just vibes to the song, whether it connects to them below the surface or not. It’s an incredible mash-up of cultures and languages.

“We can only do our part individually to work towards uniting Africa, a song may fix that, but the principle is what’s important, seeing beyond the lines and borders, you know.

“My hope is that it unites us through our divisions and misunderstandings and dance together. We are not in competition; we are one Africa; we are united.”

For the South African hit maker, Master KG, it was a dream come true. He declared, “This is a dream come true, and it will take my music to another level, because this is someone who is respected.

“He brings the Nigerian groove that we mix with South African style while we keep the originality of the song intact.”

 The original version of the song has already generated 27 million views on Youtube. The remix version may even surpass it.

With the profound expression of love by South Africa with the release of this remix, Burna Boy may soon be heading to South Africa again after his spat with the South African superstar, AKA, following the xenophobic attacks in South Africa last year, which saw many black Africans, including Nigerians, murdered in cold blood.

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