Pà Pá Pà by Femi Anikulapo-Kuti- A Review
True to his antecedent and legacy as an Afrobeat artist and activist, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti seems to be tired of the present state of governance in his latest single Pà Pá Pà from the soon to be released Legacy+ album. A very direct and simple message to government at all tiers which is so aptly captured in the soul of the song- Pà Pá Pà.
If you can’t do the job, please leave immediately- Pà Pá Pà
He doesn’t seem to want any excuses as he’s tired of so many unfulfilled promises. If you can’t provide the basic things of life and the things for which you were elected then you shouldn’t be there at all.
In this song, Femi inspires the listeners and provokes them to awake from their slumber and docile nature which sadly has become the trait of Nigerians. He wants the new Nigerian to demand more and be impatient with a failing and mediocre system.
As I stand before you
I want you to listen to me wella
As I stand before you
I want you to hear me wella
You see this our life, huhn-huhn
Our lives move very faster
Our lives in this life, ah
Our lives move very faster
The song also inspires consciousness in the populace; it is a timely reminder of the enormous constitutional powers Nigerians possess- to elect and remove mediocre leaders via the constitutional process.
Is why we must face the government oh
Government must not waste our time
Is why we must face the government, hmm-hmm
Government must not waste our time
When government waste our time
Government waste our life, brothers and sisters
When government waste our time-’me
Government waste our life, ah
His demands are straightforward and are primarily the responsibility of any sane government which includes but not limited to good roads, clean water, electricity, and good health care.
If government no fit do their job (pà pá pà)
Make them comot for there (pà pá pà)
Make them comot for there (pà pá pà)
If government no fit do their work (pà pá pà)
Make them give us electricity (pà pá pà)
Make them repair all the roads ohh (pà pá pà)
Made them give us good health care (pà pá pà)
Make them give us clean water to drink (pà pá pà)
These demands are not unique to Nigeria, it’s the same story everywhere in the African continent and so-called third world countries hence it’s a song citizens of these countries can relate to in its entirety.
Furthermore, I would infer that Femi would also encourage governments that meet the demands and expectations of the people; it is only those that meet the demand and expectations that should be rewarded with the peoples’ mandate through the constituted electoral process.
I am very sure the highly anticipated Legacy+ album which would be released on the 5th of February would address more pertinent societal issues.
You can watch the video of this song on YouTube.
