Sotubo Ayomide
Surely, it is the clamour of all nations on the surface of the Earth to exist in a sustainable and tranquil environment. Such an ambience is an indicator of an equal representation of interests, justice being prevalent in society and a boisterous economy which as a result cultivates an even distribution of wealth.
Like Naira Marley, many Nigerians will confound how the country continues to experience a conjectural view of the stated ideals.
Born in Agege, Lagos on May 9, 1994, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley is a songwriter, stage performer and rapper who has captivated the heart of his fans and redefined the norms and values of the average youth through his headline grabbing songs. From Issa goal to Soapy, Naira Marley has failed to disappoint with his music releases as he always seems to have something up his sleeves, despite being seen by many as controversial, which no doubt he is.
The song "Mafo" is a an afro dancehall track with three verses. For a good reason, it is a dancehall track as people will only dance to what appeals to them both in Melody and in essence.
For the purpose of clarity, "Mafo" is a Yoruba slang which means, keep calm. With all the noise in society today, the song is a timely reminder of the need to maintain a placid environment and proffer effectual panaceas to the existing matters arising in the Nigerian society.
Naira Marley kicks off the song by affirming the demanding nature of success in Lagos. He clearly states that anyone who has a dream to achieve must posses the much unlikely financial capacity to realize a dream.
The Lagos we all identify as "the land of opportunities" has overtime consumed the dreams and aspirations of many due to acute financial constraints.
Many a people have persisted in hope of their dreams coming true in the land "where they must make it" all to no avail. Naira Marley credits this to an uneven distribution of wealth, claiming money and financial supplies lies in the hands of a few. To this end, he is able to establish how only a few people enjoy the lot meant for the entire people.
However, Naira Marley couldn't escape the controversy he set before himself. He characteristically hails his cohorts in the dealing he is infamously involved him. He may have been kept behind bars for a while but this track is proof he will not desist from his way of life irrespective of society's perception.
To back this claim, he refutes the idea of going into hiding from security agencies on his trail, claiming he and his cohorts own Lagos together and as a result, reassuring them there is little to worry about, hence "Mafo".
Quite conspicuously, Naira Marley, a personality of great influence on today's youths endorses the consumption of narcotics, specifically mentioning "original tramadol extra" at regular intervals. While this may barely make headlines as he is already popular for such advocacy, consumption of narcotics has simultaneously skyrocketed among his audience in recent times. His advocacy is perpetrated with bullish audacity with no concern for its effects on its rather young and audience.
Moving forward, the agege born entertainer puts foward a lamentation of what is a cause for concern among the youths today.
The average Nigerian man between the age of 25-40 wants to be important, prosperous, successful in wealth creation and happy in a blissful relationship. Arguably and by nature, every one deserves to enjoy these favourable conditions but not every one can when we choose to holistically consider the dynamics and state of the nation. In this regard, Naira Marley mocks obedient and loyal citizens who choose to follow the protocol to achieve their dreams. He not only mocks such people in cynical derision. The 'Bro Ade' is a victim of the ills of our society and should in no way be the subject of derision and playful scrutiny.
In ignominious self defence, Naira Marley vindicates his actions ironically. He defends his well documented involvement in cybercrime as being smart and taking the initiative to make it out of abject poverty. To aid his defence, he psyched his loyal audience by providing an emotional flashback of how he had to live on people for survival and he being victim of several taunts from people like 'brother Rotimi'. Of course, his audience will identify with his claims as they are more or less suffering the same form of hardship. He then celebrates his success as a 'Yahoo Boy' which he claims he is not while still hailing another of his cohorts in crime in what can be considered as a high regard in street parlance.
In amazing fashion, the Marlian leader assures his audience that no one is watching, especially when their actions can be questionable by the precepts of society. Unfortunately, the society itself is questionable as its socially and politically perverse leadership keep rubbing off on its constituents.
To conclude, Naira Marley yet again in bullish confidence asserts his influence by presenting himself as a sought after personality globally whether it is consider as for the right or wrong reasons. As a form of consolation, he preaches solidarity to everyone who wants to break out of predicament and hardships but find it hard as an uphill task.
Whether we like it or not, Mafo is the slang on the street. It is on the lips of everyone because we all desire a calm, peaceful and working environment. It is only ironical that the song in many ways speaks on the prevalent ills in the current Nigerian society. "Awon ara ibi" like Naira Marley calls them are the heart of a continuously depressive economy which is created to make the rich richer and the poor languish in the tempest of penury.
The government of the day has struggled on its own promises to bring a much desire change in the proceedings of the nation on the economic or political front. Manifestoes have only birthed embryonic promises which may never see the light of day. The depression has been sewn into the fabrics of the nation since the late 60's and the masses are bereft of confidence in the government.
Vision 2020 will never be talked up as the return to the promising proposition as it was first proffered. Public officials government officials have always succeeded in many crafty ways to pull our legs; but we are not having any of it anymore.
Though this is established in the message , there are many things wrong with the hit song. Naira Marleys cybercrime venture is well documented and is a massive influence on the proliferation of similar practises among youths today. For many, he is the president of the marlians and he has a strong and insurmountable fanbase and followership at the moment. It is expedient yet uneasing that what he says goes, especially when he is viewed as an empathetic leader who understands plight of the people he leads.
In stark contrast, the same cannot be said of President Muhammadu Buhari whose reaction to the crisis impeding the North East is always rather cold and casual. Marlians can pride in the unity and solidarity of their cause but Nigeria cannot boast of such.
Incontestably, we have the institutions necessary to run a powerhouse in the international community. What we seem to lack is sane people who could make the country work. Naira Marley claims of nobody watching is valid as every institution can be faulted for having self centred, power hungry and overall incompetent work force.
As such, truly no one is watching as those responsible for the running of country have taken sabbaticals away from duties. Everyone lusts after his own survival and the country is now a laughing stock.
This explains why decadence is on a high in our society today. Marlians can now roam freely without an obligation to the law or human sanity as they are in full knowledge that accountability and responsibity to loyal subjects who are keen for national advancement which has been thrown into the wind.
Illicit use of drugs and felonious money making is high on the order of the day but by no means has any action been taken to curb the incessant menace. The giant of Africa may soon be addressed as menace of Africa. The future is in Jeopardy with the marlians in power and signs that they would be dethroned in the society are minute.
The song might be really danceable as it is paraded to be but soon enough, we may have nothing much to dance to a host of conundrums to nag about if they are not arrested in due course.
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