Meaning of Burna Boy's Talibans II Lyrics, Explained

Byron Messia released the original "Talibans" on 20 January 2023 on his album No Love. It spread fast through the Caribbean, the UK and Africa, and on 20 July 2023 he released "Talibans II" featuring Burna Boy. The remix became the second single from Burna Boy's seventh studio album, I Told Them....

We do not reprint the lyrics here. This page explains what the song is saying, who is speaking, and why the title raises eyebrows.

What is "Talibans II" about?

It is a street warning song. Both artists describe a tight circle of people who do not joke, do not take disrespect, and will respond if anyone crosses them.

The main ideas are:

• Don't test us. The chorus is a warning to anyone who plans to disrespect them. Stay home and stay out of trouble, because their crew is moving.
• Loyalty to the crew. Both artists shout out their people, from St Kitts to Trinidad to Nigeria, and present them as one family that protects its own.
• Fame and blame. Burna Boy's verse turns to his own life: every move he makes becomes news, and he says he gets blamed even for things he did not do.
• Calm threat. Messia sings the warnings in a smooth, melodic voice, not shouting, which makes them sound more like a promise than a rant.

Songfacts describes the original as Messia singing about actions others may see as questionable or violent. That is the honest frame: it is a tough talk song, in a long dancehall tradition, not a political song.

Why is it called "Talibans"?

The title borrows the name of the Afghan militant group as a symbol of fearlessness and ruthlessness. In the song, "the Talibans" is the name for the crew: people you should not provoke.

Byron Messia has said the song is not about a criminal organisation. As quoted on Wikipedia's page for the song, he called it more of a warning song, said it was never meant to be that serious, and said it was based on inside jokes among his friends.

So the word works like a nickname, the same way dancehall and drill songs often borrow names of armies, gangsters or weapons to sound tough. It is not support for the real Taliban, and nothing in the song talks about Afghanistan, religion or politics.

Was there a controversy over the word "Taliban"?

There was discussion, but we found no major organised backlash, ban or official complaint over the title. Most of the debate around the song has been about other things.

Issue	What happened	Status
The title	Some listeners find it uncomfortable to name a party song after a militant group linked to real violence. Messia says it is a warning song built on inside jokes.	Debate among listeners; no ban or formal action found
Violent imagery	The original "Talibans" video includes heavy gun imagery and a staged killing, according to Wikipedia's summary.	Confirmed content of the original video
Sharing the hit with Burna Boy	US podcaster Joe Budden said in August 2023 that Messia should not have handed his breakout hit to "the biggest artist in the world" and should have pushed it himself.	Confirmed comment, reported by DancehallMag

The "Talibans II" video itself is lighter. The FADER described it as the two artists playing tennis and golf at an exclusive resort.

Who is Byron Messia?

Byron Messia, born Dylan Byron, is a dancehall singer born in Kingston, Jamaica in 2000 and raised in St Kitts and Nevis. "Talibans" was his breakout song. He signed with Interscope Records in May 2023, shortly before the Burna Boy remix came out.

Joining a global name like Burna Boy took the song to listeners in Nigeria, Ghana and across Africa who might not otherwise follow St Kitts dancehall.

Burna Boy's part in "Talibans II"

Burna Boy adds a new verse and brings his mix of Pidgin, Jamaican patois and Yoruba. He links his Nigerian roots to the Caribbean crew in the song, then talks about life under the spotlight: being headline news, being misjudged, and staying true when he steps into the studio.

This fits the theme of the whole album I Told Them..., where he talks about proving doubters wrong and handling fame on his own terms.

Talibans II credits and charts

• Artists: Byron Messia featuring Burna Boy.
• Producers: Kelly Beatz, Ej Fya and Spaceship Billy.
• Released: 20 July 2023.
• Album: second single from Burna Boy's I Told Them... (2023).
• Charts: number 53 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 20 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B chart. Sources differ on whether the Billboard Hot 100 peak of number 99 belongs to the original or the remix.
• Certifications: gold in Canada and platinum in Nigeria for "Talibans II"; the original "Talibans" went gold in the UK and Canada.

For more song explainers, visit our meanings section or read our guide to Nigerian slangs and their meaning.

Frequently asked questions

What does "Taliban" mean in the song?

It is a nickname for a fearless, dangerous crew you should not provoke. Byron Messia has said the song is not about the real militant group.

Is "Talibans II" about terrorism?

No. It does not mention Afghanistan, religion or politics. It is a dancehall warning song about loyalty and not being disrespected.

Who sang the original "Talibans"?

Byron Messia, a Jamaican born dancehall artist raised in St Kitts and Nevis, released it in January 2023.

When did Burna Boy release "Talibans II"?

On 20 July 2023, as the second single from his album I Told Them....

Why did Joe Budden criticise "Talibans II"?

He said Messia should not have shared his breakout hit with a bigger star like Burna Boy. His complaint was about the business choice, not the title.

Was "Talibans II" banned?

We found no report of the song being banned in Nigeria or elsewhere.