23

Album: Twice As Tall (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Burna Boy comparing himself to Michael Jordan. While Jordan is an all-time great in the world of basketball, Burna Boy says the music he's makes him feel on the same level as the NBA legend. The song title refers to Jordan's shirt number while playing for the Chicago Bulls.
  • Burna Boy told Apple Music the song came from watching the ESPN miniseries The Last Dance, which chronicles Michael Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls. "I was watching that scene with Jordan describing the way he works and just how hard he goes to push those around him for greatness," he explained. "I related to that so much. Even about how lonely that road is, because you may have started with a bunch of people, even some guys that were probably better than you! And that's really how it goes. There's so much sacrifice to this that people won't see."
  • Did you know 45 was originally Jordan's baseball jersey number at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina? His older brother, Larry, already wore number 45 as a member of the varsity team, so when Jordan finally made the varsity himself, he cut 45 in half and rounded it up to 23. Here are some more fun facts about Jordan's 23 jersey:

    On February 14, 1990, Michael Jordan wore a nameless number 12 jersey because his number 23 jersey had been stolen. The new thread didn't affect him: Jordan scored on 21 of his 43 shot attempts for a game-high 49 points.

    On November 1, 1994, the Chicago Bulls retired Jordan's number 23 in a ceremony that included the erection of a bronze sculpture known as The Spirit outside the Bulls' arena.

    Even thought he never played for the team, the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's number 23 in April 2003 for "contributions to basketball."
  • Burna Boy wrote the song with French hip-hop record producer and composer Skread. It is the first collaboration between the pair.
  • Clarence Peters directed the video, which features several references to Michael Jordan.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.