Sometimes, you listen to a song and it doesn't make any sense, but you love the music. There are many of such music, especially in Nigeria. The beauty of what we do here is the fact that we know how to get ourselves distracted from being overserious with life. LOL.
When I first heard this song, it was played by a middle aged man in the compound I lived in two years ago. The way he was vibing to the song made me wonder if he truly understood the lyrics. I was surprised when he told me that it was his second favorite song after Timaya's “Balance” . He said he hadn't paid much attention to music in a long while until he heard the song “Adult Anthem” by Lade. True to it, he could relate to the song because the lyrics resonate with the true situation of life of an adult, especially in a country like Nigeria.
Honestly, Lade did justice with this song. It was indeed a hit. Both the young and old who could appreciate music either danced to the catchy beats or critiqued the lyrics.
The intro cuts through you like a knife delivering its message at first hearing:
“Nobody go ask if you don chop
nobody go send you free money
if you no get na you sabi
Adulthood na scam”
There wouldn't be any better diction to pass this message than the use of pidgin. The song is clearly meant for the Nigerian, or West African audience where pidgin English is spoken or understood. To translate in proper English would go like this:
“Nobody will ask if you've eaten
Nobody will send free money to you
If you don't have, that's your business
Adulthood is scam”
This song is a timely rendition of the reality of being an adult, and a reminder of the privileges that come with being a child under care. When you are young, everyone would be so concerned and considerate of you. You will get loads of pocket money from parents and relatives, especially if you are a student. But when you become an adult, it's a game change. You're practically, on most days, on your own. Especially, if you come from a not so well to do home. Your only option is that
you gats to hustle, make a living 24—7
because no one might care. Even when you're in need, you might not be able to get help cos everyone would give you different stories.
Being an adult can be so difficult and daunting. Sometimes, you cannot even stop to enjoy the simple things of life. We're so caught up with life and its demands. The singer says, when she reminisces about how it felt back then, she wants to be a child again.
Lade's song is inspired by reality and experience. Most adults are working really hard to cater for themselves and their loved ones. They hardly have time for themselves to breathe, especially in a challenging economy.
Although, we cannot reverse the clock of our lives and redo our past, we can still relive the moment and be grateful for the gift of aging. Moreso, that this song is delivered in a catchy afrobeat and melody, it gives one hope that no matter the situation, as adults we can still stop and dance and have some fun while still pushing. Life is still beautiful.
Photo source1
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