Songfacts®:

• With a burning curiosity about the essence of manhood, J Hus delves deep into its heart on his third album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard. Throughout the record, he explores the intricacies and societal pressures surrounding Black masculinity. This song stands tall as the thematic centerpiece, illuminating the core of his profound introspection.
• The lyrics of "Masculine" are a powerful commentary on the dangers of toxic masculinity.
  
  It wasn't my bredrin that bunned him, they said it must've been
  Man stand tall, man masculine
  Anywhere he go, he wanna blast the ting
  Blast that bastard pikin
  Bun everyone, man can't just start pickin'
  
  J Hus is talking about the need to appear tough and aggressive in order to be respected. He says that his homie was not the one who shot someone, but that people think he must have because he is "masculine" and "stands tall."
  
  The line, "Anywhere he go, he wanna blast the ting," means his homie is always ready to use violence to solve his problems. Hus says he wants to "blast that bastard pikin," meaning he wants to shoot someone who has wronged him.
  
  "Bun everyone, man can't just start pickin'" means that Hus' pal can't just go around shooting people - he has to be selective about whom he targets and not "start pickin'" the wrong people.
• During the refrain, Nigerian singer Burna Boy issues a stark warning to all his enemies, expecting them to scatter at the mere sight of his presence. His tough upbringing is ingrained in his very being, and violence courses through his veins.
  
  Science matter, Ojuju Calabar
  My face give them uncontrollable bladder
  
  Burna Boy likens himself to the mythical figure Ojuju Calabar, infamous for striking terror into the hearts of Nigerian children. His mere gaze sends enemies reeling, with uncontrollable fear gripping their souls.
• Burna Boy's verse is a freestyle. He didn't write a single line before he went into the booth.
• TobiShyBoy and Levi Lennox created the beat. TobiShyBoy's other credits include Dave's "Disaster" and J Hus' "Spirit" and "Big Conspiracy."
  
  Levi Lennox has worked on songs with Zayn ("Pillowtalk"), Louis Tomlinson ("We Made It") and Krept & Konan ("Falling").
  
  TobiShyBoy and Levi Lennox previously teamed up to create the beat for Mostack's 2019 hit "Shine Girl."
• J Hus first teased "Masculine" on his Instagram back in August 2020. When Burna Boy did his Love, Damini Tour at London Stadium on June 3, 2023, he invited J Hus to join him on stage and they performed part of the song for the first time. Hus included the track on his third studio album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard, released on July 14, 2023.
• "Masculine" is the fifth collaboration between Hus and Burna. The previous four were:
  
  2017 "Sekkle Down" from Burna Boy's Outside album
  2017 "Good Time" from Hus' Common Sense album
  2020 "Play Play" from Hus' Big Conspiracy album
  2022 "Cloak & Dagger" from Burna Boy's Love, Damini album.