The Sound of a Nation: Afrobeats

Pt. I: References to old songs

Nigeria is a country bustling with many talents and these talents often pay homage to their roots. Various artistes have imbibed a line or two from a popular oldie which just proves how in tune Nigerians are to their history.

1. Wizkid- Ololufe ft. Wande Coal

“Ololufe” is the first song in “S2”, Wizkid’s second EP. It talks about the love that both Wizkid and Wande Coal have for specific women. It makes reference to Lagbaja’s popular 2000 song from his album, “ME”, titled “Konko Below”, which is about euphoric celebration and includes the whining of hips and waist. This reference was made in Wande’s verse, which was the second verse and it says

‘Koko bi lo ko ko ko Owa fe pade mi ni sa le Oye ka fun ko ko bi lo Kokokoko Owa fe je ko ko ko ko Moni ko pade mi ni sa le iyen gan lo shey ko ko ko ko’

2. Asake

It has been noticed that Asake is a fan of traditional Nigerian songs as he has made references to it more than once. In his song ‘Joha’ from his album ‘Mr. Money with the vibe”, Asake made references to two different songs sung by two different artistes. The first song is ‘Enu o shey’ by Durella in the lyrics

‘K’o jade si ita (Jo ha) Ęnu o şe — Durella (Jo ha)’

The second song is ‘Gongo Aso’ in the lyrics

*‘Me I don dey street since when dem sing “Gongo A So”’*

3. Mayorkun

Like Asake, Mayorkun made reference to the same song, which is ‘Gongo aso’. This literally means ‘the drum will talk’. In 9ics’s 2008 song, he uses it as a metaphor to indicate that when he receives the Lord’s blessing, he will build houses and buy cars and it will get to a point that his success will become undeniable.

In Mayorkun’s ‘No Competition (Certified Loner)’ he says

‘So many many talking isokuso (ge ge) When everything nice gongo aso (ge ge) You see the flow e dey reserve’

It makes use of the slang popularized by 9ice, Gongo Aso.

4. Fireboy DML

The 2000 song ‘Ise Oluwa Ko Seni to ye’ by Musiliu Haruna Ishola has its title directly translated into ‘God’s work is a mystery’ and he strengthened his stance on being an Apala, a Yoruba genre of music, performer.

This reference was used by both Asake and Fireboy DML.

It was made in Asake’s song ‘Suru’ from his album ‘Lungu Boy’ where he featured UK rapper Stormzy, with the lyrics

‘My mama tell me say surulere (Surulere gan ni) To ba focus o ma gbọpe (O ma kere gan ni) Isẹ Oluwa ko sẹni to ye (Iṣe Oluwa ko sẹni to ye) Isẹ Oluwa ko sẹni to ye (Isẹ Oluwa ko sẹni to ye) Ko sẹni to ye rara, Iṣe Oluwa ko sẹni to ye’

It was then used in Fireboy DML’s song ‘Iseoluwa’ from his album ‘Adedamola’

*‘Isẹ Oluwa ko s’ẹni to ye Bi mo se se, mi o mọ’*

In this song, Fireboy DML shows his gratitude to God for everything that he has done.

Note: I do not own any pictures used. All pictures were gotten online and the lyrics were gotten from genius.