…the detailed, LENGTHY, long-winded, objective (?), sometimes satirical, occasionally sarcastic commentary / review / critique of the (mostly Nigerian) mass media and other facets of Life written from the points of view of several observers who possess undisputable passion for entertainment, fanatical addictions to music and an unfaithful love for television. In other words, this is our take on entertainment, media and Life…
This here’s my last M.I. track for the month of June… The lyrics of this track were once the subject of debate between two Facebook-ers on the MI group page. Interestingly, the debate stems mostly from each person’s interpretation of what feature-artiste Pype is really saying, giving his strong patois and the overlapping beats. Too bad few Naija artistes bother releasing the lyrics of their tracks so we’ll just keep doing the transcribing for them. This here is my own interpretation of that song…
Track: Teaser (Track 5 from the album Talk About It) Artiste: M. I. (feat Pype) Transcribed by:Naughty Eyes
[Hook] x 3 Me tell her say I’m the girl pleaser, big booty squeezer Teaser looking for a diva fo’ shizz-a What you need is a geezer cool like a freezer Rule like a Ceasar
[Pype] Bling! 7-star General ‘longside M. I.
Repeat Hook
And that’s me…
[MI] Me tell her say: Hello Mamacita You a-sexy chick-a I’m a girl teaser So baby let me please ya Far from a church mouse but love a lotta cheese-a Me loving your features Can you move your feet-a I’m a Loopy President, you can be my Evita If a girl don’t wanna flow, me always delete her And me never repeat her Me look for something sweeter Take me to the club and make it hot like a heater
[Pype] From Pype to the Pipe, Pype, Pype! From the juvenile, irreversatile They did not promote girl, we the genuine Love them to swallow them pride And just to gleam and wine 7-star General, MI, fresh rhyme Me a-flip it, lift it on it and the girl them love I And we no nigh ‘pon them mime midnight to 5 Me love the girl them pretty head to toe And what you a-goner? Me a-sing all night
Repeat Hook x 2
[MI] So me tell her: Have you ever been to Jamaica Been to Malaysia All I’ve got is paper so let me upgrade ya Take you to the next level like an elevator Your boyfriend is a hater But he can be our waiter I’m solar energy and he a-generator I’m a-PC and he a-cheap calculator Girl I got dough I bake bread like a baker Now you’re on my radar so let me get your data
[Pype] OK! Suddenly me pull me pepperoni ‘pon a pizza And these girls them love me just like them redeemer Give it to them and they call me the teacher Me flip it, lift it on it and the girl no retire From me roll, send me love their way To the early morn me no run away Fi give the girl them truly what them need 7-star General, MI once again
Repeat Hook x 2
And that’s me… (echo)
Pype [Spoken] Rump on it Crump on it MI and Pype!
Repeat Hook x 2
MI and Pype! Begin the wine Me love the way me see some boys Big up them chest like a-them King Kong Say from now till the early morn For you we a-fi ever sing song
Repeat Hook
7-star General, ‘longside MI Me a-sing fi the girl them Blew! Ok, alright Ok, alright…
Wow! After reading Reuben Abati’s article on nationality and the face of our emerging music landscape and Banky W’s rejoinder to the said article, I can only conclude that for once I am really proud of the jolt it has given the entire Naija (or is it Nigerian?) entertainment industry to carry out some much-needed soul-searching.
When many of us FaceBook-ers saw the notifications on our FB Wall, little did we know that an earthquake was in the making.
For those of you not in the know, Reuben Abati’s piece is in summary, a tongue-lashing of the younger generation of Nigerian entertainers (and we the audiences alike) written in the context of comparisons of past and present music, their respective proponents, the re-mixing of the national anthem and the current style of abbreviated nomenclature which in Mr. Abati’s view represents an alarming loss of national identity.
Banky W’s equally sarcastic yet respectful response on the other hand, which strives to make a case for the younger generation challenges several notions as proposed by Mr. Abati by drawing parallels with the music greats of old as well as highlighting the survivalist entrepreneurial attributes of the present generation and the shortcomings of the much-longed-for “Golden Age”.
As a slight deviation from the very serious issues being treated here, having written the last two paragraphs myself without duly consulting an encyclopedia, thesaurus or concordance, I have indeed proven that I happen to be far more enlightened then Mr. Abati would give my generation credit for and just as polished as Mr. Banky clearly show he is. In short, I am indeed proud of myself. Gbam!
In all honesty I had earlier written a highly intellectual rejoinder to all these rejoinders challenging all Mr. Abati’s assumptions, supporting his valid points and generally proving to him that I know who Lord Lugard and his consort, Flora Shaw were. On the other hand, I also disputed a few of Banky’s sweeping statements supporting a generation of musicians, most of whom - in my opinion - don’t know a musical notation flat from a flat tire.
However, after reading both articles plus the million and one responses that have accompanied both, to tell the truth I am tired of all the bullshitting (pardon my French). I now regret to announce that I have scrapped my intellectual masterpiece.
After reading Tosyn Bucknor’s own post on the issue, I am all very much tempted to pitch camp with her (a very small camp tent for that matter) and say “Warraheck???” What is all this noise about anyway?
As far as I am concerned, half of these reactions to both articles stem from musicians who were annoyed with their perceived misrepresentation (or the wrong spelling of their names or that of their corporate sponsors) in Mr. Abati’s piece. The other half are probably pissed-off that Mr. Abati neglected to mention them.
Rant as we might, we cannot deny some fundamental facts these issues have raised. Mr. Abati was right when he said, “Music is about sense, sound, shape and skills. But there is an on-going deficit in all other aspects except sound. So much sound is being produced in Nigeria, but there is very little sense, shape and skills.”
Banky W was also right when he said, “Far be it from us to claim that we are perfect and flawless in our art... we know that we are still growing and have lots of areas to improve, but the truth of the matter is we have worked very hard to create the industry we have now.”
And Tosyn Bucknor was very, very, very correct when she said “You know what’s worse than someone trying to get your attention? Giving it to them. Which is what I’ve seen a lot of my dear friends and acquaintances do lately.”
And then she said “I see Nigerian artistes who basically have to fend for themselves because structures that should have been put in place where eroded a long time ago! And I applaud the artistes who find this article annoying. Me, I just don’t get why they are paying it this much attention.”
But she hit the hammer squarest on the head when she said “Do they pay us attention when as their fans, we complain that everyone is using the same beat? Has anyone of them listened to us when we say we are tired of ‘Moet’, ‘Bentley’, ‘Maga’ and other words in their lyrics? When last did they show they care, that in spite of the fact that we cringe when we listen to some of the music they churn out, we still support them wholeheartedly?”
Let me guess: Banky’s article will be a favourite with his contemporary artistes who no doubt have linked it into online posterity, clipped out printed copies to pin up on their walls or distribute like fliers at a concert venues and written their own supporting rejoinders to the rejoinders of his rejoinder.
Reuben Abati’s write-up will continuously come under fire till maybe next week when people will tire of it and look for something else to talk (or sing about). Undoubtedly it will spurn a new generation of critics who have now found the courage to say what they’ve been afraid to say all this while about the Naija entertainment industry. Tosyn Bucknor’s (and probably mine as well, who knows) may not come under any fire whatsoever but will be forgotten just as soon.
Like I always say: having a voice is one thing. Saying the right things with that voice is another.
Before the state of my sanity is called into question, let me state here that Abati has never been one to shy away from the truth (or his perception of what truth is) or been known to call a spade a common gardening tool. It isn’t easy to earn my respect but he has earned it and rightly too. However I must agree with the mob on this one. Mr. Abati’s article though finely written indirectly ends up poking out the eye in the process of trying to remove the splinter.
And who knows, maybe poking out that eye has ironically made us see all the better.
While many of the younger generation are still busy celebrating this demonstration of our new-found voice, a few seemed so stunned by the discovery that they do have a voice, so much so that they end up abusing the privilege. I must admit that it was very disheartening seeing people attack Mr. Abati’s character rather that focus squarely on the issues contained in his message.
I am afraid that eventually I have ended up substituting one boringly intellectual post for another. In closing therefore, let me borrow a few lines from my previously scrapped post in which I wrote concerning the loss of national identity which is the bigger issue here and not music:
What is the loss of National Identity? Is it definable in the decaying moral, economic, political and musical fabrics of the present times? Was there indeed a national identity in the first place? Or is what we are seeing now the fall-out of judgements impaired by a cool evening breeze and a romantic moment between Lord Lugard and Flora Shaw?
In all honesty, the loss of national identity started way before Mr. Abati’s time and will go on past Mr. Banky’s generation into the next unless we start realising why we are Nigerians and not how we came to be Nigerians. For like it or not, we are Nigerians. This country is going down in all sectors, not just music and we collectively, old, young, dying and unborn have to pull it up by the bootstraps. I must confess that I do not really know how to do this but surely, throwing generational stones isn’t one of them.
I love Nigeria. I love the youth of Naija. I am proud of Nija, 9ja, Gidi or any other contrivances of nomenclature future generations may come to know this national entity by.
For like I have come to know, as the current re-branding exercise will undoubtedly show, it is not the name by which we call anything that makes it worthwhile.
This song on M.I.’s album turned out to be my best track of 2008 much thanks to its extra-smooth blend of soulful R&B tones, rap, drum beats, thumping bass and haunting background violins. I’m posting it here especially for all the females I’m currently in crush with. Even if you turn me down, me still love y’all!
Track: Forever (Track 14 from the album Talk About It) Artiste: M.I. Transcribed by: Naughty Eyes
[Intro] Baby (echo), Baby, Baby, Baby (x 4)
[R & B Verse 1] ‘Scuse me lady, I’ve been wanting to know I’ve been watching you all night on the floor I’ve been hoping and waiting for this chance So I could ask you if you would like to dance
[Chorus] I like the way you move I like the way you shake If I don’t answer you girl Life in lying my heart go bend I wanna hold you, tease you, rock you, squeeze you So promise me that you will dance alone with me
[Rap 1] So sister don’t move, please You give weak knees Hey, lil’ Mama, what’s your steeze is Gotta say ma, you’re looking grand like jeans Hello hi! I’m M.I. I’m so fly, my low is high Been staring all night, you’ve been on my brain And I wanna be Abel like Cain To dance all night with you Let you know since I met you I know I can’t forget you See, I can make it rain and I wanna wet you Let me show how forever can feel like a couple of secs It’s a whole lot more than just sex And it isn’t complex Girl, I’m so Xtra-cool, let’s Xtra-connect
[R & B 2] If you are ready, let me rock you slowly Hold you and then we can dance the night away I have been waiting for so long To get lost inside a song This feeling is so strong C’mon let’s dance the night away
Repeat Chorus
[Rap 2] Come close, stand here Eyes closed, no fear See, you’re the best thing I’ve seen Destiny has destined, I seen What’s your story, what’s your tale? But if it’s love thing just send me a mail Right now what I wanna do is inhale Exhale, set sail So let’s set sail to a foreign land All these other guys so boring and You can come too when I’m touring and I can see your face in the morning and perchance We can share a whole lifetime’s romance It’s us right now, tonight what a dance What a kiss, Miss, miss you I know you miss me too
[Bridge] X 2 Take it slow, don’t you know (Waited my whole life for you) Rock your body on the floor (Baby girl I adore you) If you’re looking for the man to dance with you tonight Let me do the best I can We’ll dance from now until it’s light
Repeat Chorus
Forever (echo x 3) Baby I want to show you How much I love you
(Oh baby, I want to show you How much I love you Hey!)
Hold up! Have you seen the lyrics to M.I.’s “Safe” ANYWHERE online or offline? No? I didn’t think so! So here’s what I’m going to do… How about I transcribe the lyrics just for you? Great, ain’t it? YO! Here’s me TRULY and loudly blowing my horn. Not only that but you also get to check out the fresh hot video right here! Did I hear you say you love me? Where did you get it all from first? I can’t hear you. Where? Only on Media Nemesis, baby!
Track: Safe (Track 7 from the album Talk About It) Artiste: M.I. (feat. Djinee) Transcribed by: Naughty Eyes
[Djinee - Spoken Intro] All these kpomo men now… Them be kpomo men… (Scoffs) Woah!
[M.I.] Yo! It’s the way that they do me [echo] (Are we safe right here?) The way that they do me Crowds used to boo me but now ladies woo me Truly I’m sorry, sue me Me, I’m a Loopy, I’m money long like Moony I’m Looney like Tuney, your girl wish she knew me My arms strong like Loony, and C. City blew me up Yup, you can only watch like a movie Ruby I’m a- melt the game like a booby People asking “Who he?” They call me M.I.-er, just because I’m getting higher I’m spitting fire, this written fire There’s no bullshitting I’m sitting on top, Naija’s rap messiah I kill them Mama, them Papa, bring drama, end proper in coma This rapper show-stopper, he’s hotter Top-shot, no other rap while I’m rendering, hear the words he’s uttering ‘Cos other rappers stuttering I rhyme am well, I’m not them, I’m hot, chill! I’ve got skill The most incredible out of Naija, I’m on fire I’ve got street credibility and he definitely flow infinitely and so intermittently Ha! Plus, I’m a party rider ‘cos I flow tighter so put up your lighter MI be in the house and MC’s they shall bounce and go home to their spouse ‘Cos to stay might be detrimental (mental), better flow better instrumental (mental) You gotta learn the fundamental (mental) and my flow is so essential, essential, essential Listen! Silence (Shh!!) is the best answer, not violence That’s why I bring war on the violins This is Armageddon dog, hear the sirens And no, I am not retiring No, I’m never tiring, these lyrics that I’m firing But don’t be dismayed, ‘cos Zenith Bank is hiring For instance, there’s no resistance The flow persistent and so consistent Other rappers distant, they should have listened Because I’m the engine room and the gear and the piston There’s no rest see, at best you’re assisting I’m what they’re missing, I’m why they listen I’m the heart police dawg, I’m cardiac-arresting The best thing and you’re just microphone-testing
[Hook - Djinee] Are we safe right here? You better run fi cover, na we dey right here Hey! Where you dey when we dey chop kuli-kuli Dey sell kpoli-kpoli, you dey form holy-holy
[Repeat Hook]
[M. I.] Don’t try me oh C. City wan’ eye me oh And I’m rated highly oh Heh! They call me M.I. Listen y’all, yo! Mo gbono feli feli, I’m spitting like Machiavelli I’m always inside your telly, your lyrics are smelly-smelly I’m chilling in Pelly Pelly, I’m chilli inside your belly Rappers are really silly, you rappers Milli Vanilli But nuffin’ do me because I dey rhyme yo Nothing’s gonna rule me because I dey shine yo, shine yo I know I’m so fine yo, I’ll blind y’all with each rhyme yo I move like a rhino, until we sitting on top, sitting spitting on top Rappers spitting, they should stop It’s real when I drop, your sh*t is gonna flop You kickin’ so sloppy, getting spanked by your Papi And you should know my P, they call me M.I., M.I., see I’m rocking M.I. - M.I.C. and my flow is so deadly Whiskolo whiska, the incredible Mister The top on the list-a, he’s voted like Next-a Loved by your sister, he maybe even kissed her The brand new experience like Vista Ebariba sanbori bobo The ladies going loco when they hear his vocal Rap’s in a choke-hold Other rappers local, they rap with a vocorder I’m the koko Other rappers so-called, I’m medicine for the game like I’m Procold You can’t deny, I give them what them wanting And if you’re still sitting down, you’re on a long thing And if there’s ever been a rap this fly Yo, it hasn’t been done by another M.I.
[Djinee - Freestyle Pidgin Rap] Hey! Hey! Why you dey run where you dey run, you think say you get liver You come dey form like say you be that Arnold Schwarzenegger Hey! You go talk the one you dey today Today, today we go run you down you no know where you dey Heh! We dey kill them, M.I. you dey treat them Show them say this hip-hop music dey your system Teach them, school them, if them f**k up, cane them Oh! Them no know say, them no know say You be Pyeri boy, I be B-side boy We do run things eh! We dey run things oh! Hey oh! Hey! Hey! Ihe ne me! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Pack your load go, pack your load go M.I. don come here hey!
[M. I.] Yo! Djinee in the house ladies and gentlemen
[Djinee] We go run you down in your area Think am oh! Hey yo! We go run you down Your Mama, your Papa (Scoffs) Na we dey right here oh
PS: The Safe video was directed by Mex of Pixel Chaos. Interestingly, it also contains subtle references to a few other music videos. Quick examples: the background shown when MI says “Whiskolo Whiska” (the title of a Durella song) is a replica of the bar backdrop featured in the video for Shayo, another song by Durella. Also certain digital effects used here are exactly the same in style with the Gbenga Salu - directed Ten-Ten (embedded in the previous post). Most music video connoisseurs will recognize Mex as the director of the smashin’ high-tech video Dangerous in which Dipp features M.I.
PPS: For those of you who have been good enough to stick to the end, here’s a news leak of a little something-something I’m tentatively working on. It’s a feature called “TRAQ ANALYSIS” which is a blow-by-blow breakdown of these lyrics, their origins and references. Be on the look-out cos the TRAQ ANALYSIS of these smoking hot lyrics will explode anytime soon on the Spoken Word blog which is currently undergoing a resurrection. Watch out!
…over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting lyrics from M.I.’s HHWA 2009 award-winning Talk About It album (now available oniTunes) which I can’t still get enough of. Sadly I can’t lay hands on his Illegal Music Mixtape so I’m still stuck with the debut album.
I’m still waiting to hear from Bobby Taylor on how to get the sophomore album and I’m seriously hoping Dante can help me out on this one. For now all I can say is watch out for the lyrics to Safe (yes, you heard me right) and several other tracks.
Still speaking of Safe, its music video just dropped and though I’m yet to see it, Lord knows when it’s going to grace TV. The video had been in the works for a while now (the guys at NotJustOK brought the Making to my attention first) and Sturvs.com confirmed the video debut. These online music sources are definitely da BOMB! Thanks a million guys!!!
Plus Mo’ Hits And Ten Ten On another note, my review of Wande Coal’s album is almost done and I’ll put that up once I’ve applied finishing touches. And for dessert, you can check out the Gbenga Salu-directed video to the Mo’ Hits All Stars single Ten-Ten off the M2M album plus I’ve even thrown in the lyrics close to the bottom of this post.
Their two bonus singles on M2M are a sure sign that the Mo’Hits crew are working on a new project and for their sakes I hope it’s better than their previous CV album.
PS: Finally, a question that has been bugging my mind: has anyone noticed the very low profiles that D’Banj and Kelly Hansome have been keeping recently from their respective record labels’ activities? What’s up with that, huh?
Have a swell week!
PEACE!
Track: Ten Ten (Bonus Track from the Album “Mushin2Mo’ Hits”) Artistes: Mo’ Hits All Stars Transcribed by: Naughty Eyes
[Intro - Wande Coal] Every time I see … (echo) you girly Every time I see you girly Mo’ Hits! Don Jazzy again! Every time I see you girly Hey! Don Jazzy again!
[Wande Coal] Every time I see you girl, you dey turn me on If I no fit get you girl, I no go carry on Pass me the paper, pass the crayon Make I put your sexy body in-a there on Girl, you’re one in a million The only one fish in my aquarium Baby girl, don’t you think that I’m very young Age no be nothing but a number Cos I’m-a keep, keep lovin’ you girl Never, no skip, skip lovin’ you girl Don’t wanna be like other guys wey dey take advantage just dey…
[Chorus] Use you play (ten-ten) Everyday (ten-ten) Yesterday (ten-ten) My love no be ten-ten I no be small pickin oh Trust me I no go use you play (ten-ten) Everyday (ten-ten) Yesterday (ten-ten) My love no be ten-ten I no be small pickin oh (x 2)
[Dr. Sid] Every time I see you girl, see you girl You give me everything that I like If it’s wrong to be loving you girl, loving you girl Then I don’t wanna be right, eh Cos you’re my generator when they take light I go dey shout: “Up NEPA!” if you say you’ll be my wife Na you dey bring joy to my life If you offer me a chance you know I no go think am twice Cos the boys dey wish for your loving If it’s me you’re giving your loving I’ll never be that guy who tries to take advantage to dey…
Repeat Chorus
[K-Switch] B-b-bend down! See, what you want girl, albeit it be drop-top And a penthouse just to keep you on top Bangles ‘pon da wrist them look like handcuff Me money pile up from here to Bangkok (Ladies!) you a fi need the man that strong like Hancock By your side, at your back and even on top Girl you look nice and your style is so top (And me can’t shout) but me money can talk When we walk, by your side me chest me pump up When you go down on me, me always jump up Salvatore, Ferragamo, Gucci, Louis Vuitton That’s why me a fi sing this song
Repeat Chorus
(D’Prince is here!)
[D’Prince] What’s D’Prince got to do just to get with you Don’t necessarily mean I wanna sleep with you I’m in need of a Princess and I think it’s you Hmm… hmm… hmm… hmm… hmm… hmm… hmm… I don’t need to ask my friends what they think of you I see my future wife when I look at you See I love you from your head to your Jimmy Choo’s I’ma kiss you even if you’ve got the flu See I’ve got what it takes to make your life easy You know what it is, the Prince of ephizzie Never gonna see me flirting on TV, believe me I’m not deceiving I’m never gonna… Never gonna…
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