Nigerian Afrobeats star BNXN shares his sophomore album ‘CAPTAIN’, a 16-track voyage through the triumphs and trials of his meteoric rise. The project sees the artist expanding his sonic palette while maintaining the signature blend of melodic finesse and introspective lyricism that has made him a standout act in Afrobeats’ global takeover.
‘CAPTAIN’ showcases BNXN’s artistic growth, as he deftly navigates between genres while retaining his core sound. Tracks like ‘Cutesy’, ‘Totori’, and ‘Cough Syrup’ (featuring Victony) demonstrate his willingness to experiment, with production credits spanning an impressive roster including Jiggy, Kel P, and Gemini Major. The album’s titular track emerges as a personal highlight for BNXN himself – a late addition that became what he describes as “a bop for me,” played daily since its creation.
BNXN told Rolling Stone, “The album itself represents growth. It shows that I’m skilled and I’m a crucial player in this field. In the ocean of the industry, I’m rocking a ship and I’m in total control of it. In good storms and bad storms, I’m still in charge.” He’s most proud of the titular track. “It was one of the songs I recorded last minute. Every time I listen back to the record, it makes me feel like I made a bop for me,” he says. “Since I recorded it, I can tell you, I listened to it every blessed day.”
The album arrives on a wave of anticipation, preceded by successful singles like ‘Phenomena’, ‘Fi kan We Kan’ (with Rema), and ‘Very Soon’ (featuring FOLA), which collectively amassed 185 million streams. Collaborations with Seyi Vibes, Victony, FOLA, and the Soweto Gospel Choir add diverse textures to the project, while BNXN’s thematic focus on maintaining control through success’s storms (“I’m rocking a ship and I’m in total control”) gives the album a cohesive narrative backbone.
As BNXN prepares to embark on a North American tour, ‘CAPTAIN’ stands as both a testament to his current stature and a promise of continued evolution. The album doesn’t just confirm BNXN’s place in Afrobeats’ upper echelon – it suggests he’s only beginning to chart his course.
With CAPTAIN, BNXN is steering the ship
