Location (feat. Burna Boy)

"Location" is a celebratory anthem about success, aspiration, and the lifestyle that accompanies it. At its core, the song is a flex, with both Dave and Burna Boy boasting about their achievements, wealth, and appeal to women. The recurring line, "Send me the location," functions as a multi-layered request. On one level, it's a straightforward invitation to a woman for a romantic meeting. On another, it symbolizes the artists' readiness and ability to go anywhere they please, a testament to the freedom their success has afforded them. The song contrasts their current opulent lives with their more humble pasts, as highlighted in Dave's lyric, "Came a long way from a park in a benz / To an '18 plate, man's parking a Benz." It’s a track that captures the feeling of having "made it" and enjoying the fruits of labor—vacations, designer clothes, and parties. However, it also contains moments of introspection, particularly in Dave's line, "Far from the rest, but I'm far from my best," which adds a layer of depth, suggesting a continuous drive for self-improvement amidst the celebration.

The song unfolds as a dialogue of success and romantic pursuit, anchored by the recurring request: "If you send me the location, then I'll be right there." This central line acts as a confident invitation, a promise of presence and action, whether for a romantic rendezvous or joining a celebration. The narrative weaves together the artists' newfound luxurious lifestyles with their interactions with women and reflections on their journey.

Dave's verses paint a vivid picture of his elevated status. He contrasts his past, being in a "park in a benz" (a play on words for park bench), with his present, parking an actual Mercedes-Benz. This encapsulates his journey from humble beginnings to significant success. He talks about vacations, catching flights, and the high-end material possessions that now define his world, like designer shades. His lyrics are also a masterclass in wordplay, as he navigates conversations with women. He cleverly turns a potential insult about "throwing shade" into a compliment about a woman's makeup foundation, showcasing his wit and charm. He positions himself as a desirable figure, hosting parties that are a "babe station" and acknowledging that women are attracted to his status. Yet, amidst the bravado, there's a moment of profound self-awareness with the line, "Far from the rest, but I'm far from my best," revealing a persistent drive and humility despite his achievements.

Burna Boy's contributions provide a smooth, melodic counterpoint. His hook is an infectious, easygoing plea for a location, setting a relaxed, celebratory tone. His verse continues the theme of a high-flying lifestyle, mentioning being in a rocket and having pockets full of cash. He speaks of being at the top, having overcome past struggles ("been down, I've been low, and my mattress on the floor"). His presence infuses the track with an authentic Afro-fusion vibe, celebrating success not just as a personal victory but as a communal, joyful experience. Together, Dave and Burna Boy create a narrative not just about having arrived, but about enjoying the journey and the destinations—both literal and metaphorical—that success unlocks. The song is an anthem for anyone who has elevated their circumstances and now wants to share that success with the right person, in the right place.

"Location" was released on March 8, 2019, as the third single from Dave's critically acclaimed debut studio album, Psychodrama. The song was a deliberate collaboration between Dave, Nigerian Afro-fusion superstar Burna Boy, and the highly sought-after producer JAE5. Dave has explained in an interview with Genius that he was determined to create a significant track with both JAE5 and Burna Boy, putting considerable time and effort into its creation. The track was written by Dave (David Omoregie), Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu), and Jonathan Mensah. Production was handled by JAE5, Fraser T. Smith, and Dave himself. The song also notably samples "Sarah's Theme" from the video game Final Fantasy XIII. The music video, directed by Kaylum and Dave, was released later on July 15, 2019. It was filmed in Ibiza and features cameos from artists like Stormzy, J Hus, Jorja Smith, and Aitch, capturing the song's celebratory and high-status vibe during Stormzy's #MERKY Festival.

The song's rhythm is rooted in Afroswing, with a mid-tempo of 110 BPM and a 4/4 time signature, making it very danceable yet relaxed. The rhythmic foundation laid by JAE5's production provides a steady, head-nodding groove. Dave's lyrical rhythm is complex and varied. He employs multi-syllable rhymes and internal rhymes, creating a dense and intricate flow. For example, in the lines "Your boyfriend's on a waiting thing / Looking for one wish on a Ra-J thing," he plays with similar-sounding phrases. He also uses couplets but often breaks from conventional schemes to fit his narrative style. Burna Boy's hook is rhythmically simple and repetitive, which enhances its catchiness and makes it the central, memorable part of the song's rhythmic structure. The interplay between Dave's more complex verses and Burna Boy's straightforward, melodic chorus creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

"Location" is a masterful blend of Dave's socially conscious and intricate lyricism with the smooth, melodic Afro-fusion style of Burna Boy and the signature production of JAE5. Musically, the song is built on an Afroswing beat characterized by a relaxed tempo (around 110 BPM), prominent bass, and festive elements like steel drums and horn harmonies which infuse a 'festive groove'. Dave's vocal delivery is a mix of laid-back, confident rapping and spoken word, filled with complex rhyme schemes and witty wordplay. His narrative style allows him to tell stories and paint vivid pictures of his life. Burna Boy's contribution is primarily melodic, delivering a catchy, repetitive hook that makes the song an earworm. His smooth vocal performance embodies the Afrobeats genre. The production by JAE5 is crucial, creating a lush, atmospheric soundscape that feels both celebratory and sophisticated. The track also incorporates a sample from "Sarah's Theme" from the Final Fantasy XIII soundtrack, adding a subtle, emotive layer to the beat.

"Location" was a huge commercial and cultural success, becoming one of the standout tracks from Dave's Mercury Prize-winning album, Psychodrama. The song peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and has been certified 5x Platinum by the BPI, signifying sales of over 3,000,000 units in the UK. It became a massive summer anthem in 2019 and beyond, praised for its perfect blend of UK rap and Afrobeats. The song played a significant role in the mainstream popularization of the Afroswing genre. The collaboration between Dave, a leading figure in UK rap, and Burna Boy, a global Afrobeats icon, was a landmark moment, bridging scenes and audiences. The phrase "send me the location" became a popular cultural catchphrase. The song was nominated for "Song of the Year" at the 2020 Brit Awards, cementing its status as one of the biggest UK tracks of its time. Its music video, featuring a host of stars in Ibiza, further solidified its image as an anthem of black British success and luxury.

The central metaphor of the song is the "location." It symbolizes more than just a physical place; it represents a destination of success, a state of arrival, and an exclusive space for celebration and romance. The act of sending a location is a request for entry into this elevated world. Dave uses clever wordplay and metaphors throughout his verses. For instance, the line "No shade, what shade is your foundation in?" is a double entendre, simultaneously complimenting a woman and subtly critiquing others who might "throw shade" or be fake. The lyric "Your ex wavy, we tsunami" uses a natural disaster metaphor to express a supreme level of confidence and impact, suggesting that while a former partner might have been cool ("wavy"), Dave and his crew are an overwhelming force. The mention of speaking "Gujarati" after a pleasurable experience with an Indian woman is a hyperbolic metaphor for how profoundly affected he was.

The most prominent recurring motif is the phrase "send me the location," which serves as the song's central hook and thematic anchor. This phrase is repeated by Burna Boy in the chorus and becomes a call to action, an invitation to a lifestyle of luxury, travel, and romance. Its repetition makes it incredibly memorable and has cemented it as a cultural catchphrase. Another recurring theme is the juxtaposition of past struggles and present success. Dave alludes to this with lines about coming a "long way from a park in a bench," while Burna Boy mentions having his "mattress on the floor." This motif of elevation and overcoming hardship is key to the song's celebratory feel. The idea of "no time" is also repeated in the chorus, emphasizing a sense of urgency and the fast-paced nature of their successful lives, where they are too busy for delays or hesitation.