For a mainstream artist in a relatively conservative society, Burna Boy is quite edgy; too edgy even.

References to sex and a well documented roadman (criminal) life in the UK are often made in his music with the airy nonchalance of a man who already figures looking like a badass outweighs the consequences of his risque themes. His latest single, “Rock Your Body” is another proof of how Burna has balanced his style and subject matter without blurring his edges.

Produced by rave producer Juls who has been under the spotlight since last year following his success with Mr Eazi, “Rock Your Body” is prepared with the same near minimalist steel drum baseline that made “Skin Tight”. But only before Shekere shakes and African wood drums kick in with an electronic sax backtrack. Juls techno Afropop is understated here for a touch of Burna Boy’s Afro-Carribean jazz leanings and the result is magic.

This balancing compromise has always been the stand out component of Burna’s dancehall. In the past, Burna has both tested the waters of hip-hop and chill wave pop with occasional slips into Galala and full blown wine-friendly Jamaican Riddim. But all of it works without cluttering his sound or rendering it unoriginal. His act is not slight, even he sings with a laid back confidence, switching between Yoruba and patois like on “Rock Your Body”, you’re never in doubt Burna knows what he is doing and how to do it best.

Is this a mere man or a God of the Afro-Carribean soundscape? Well, only time will tell. Longevity is the ultimate test of quality, but if anything, “Tonight”, “Soke” and “Like To Party” are already some of Burna’s strongest releases. All three singles show Burna in peak performance, balancing personality with diverse sound influences. Add “Rock Your Body” to that list and what you get is a consistency of sound across board. Industry experts may have raised their eye brows when Burna declared his music is called Afro-fusion (as music itself is already a fusion of sounds). But, perhaps, they have only been taking his words literally when his music is anything but.

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