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"Na Me Own My Body" BANTU's second single off their forthcoming album "What Is Your Breaking Point?", is a song by and for women, one centering on their greater empowerment amidst continuing oppression, whether in Nigeria or the US. At the heart of all patriarchy is refusing women the right to own their own bodies, and “Na Me Own My Body” takes this oppression head on, with BANTU’s two main female vocalists taking the lead in a direct riposte to Nigeria’s President Buhari’s infamous quip during a visit to Germany that his wife’s place was in the kitchen and bedroom. The response starts with the high energy up tempo intro, with horns cascading like the words of reproach by every woman forced to defend her humanity, freedom and equality to a man with half her abilities and talent but twice her power in society. “Na me, na me, Na me own my body, My spirit and my mind all belongs to me. Can’t keep on gagging me, Stifling and threatening me, Abusing, oppressing me. You no fit sideline me at all” – Words for a revolution-in-the-making that lead into a powerful rap by renowned African American rapper Akua Naru, who brings the same energy she first showed performing at Afropolitan Vibes with BANTU to the recording studio.
lyrics
Chorus
Na me, na me,
Na me own my body
My spirit and my mind all belongs to me
Can’t keep on gagging me
Stifling and threatening me
Abusing, oppressing me
You no fit side line me at all
Verse 1
Better respect my royal bloodline
Wouldn’t let insecurities pull me down
I’m called woman for a reason
I’ve got the power, brains, resilience and fire
If you feel threatened then you better step aside
Mi ò lè para mi fún ẹ
Mo ti ṣè’wọ̀n mo lè ṣe*
Chorus
Na me, na me,
Na me own my body
My spirit and my mind all belongs to me
Can’t keep on gagging me
Stifling and threatening me
Abusing, oppressing me
You no fit side line me at all
Verse 2
Because I be woman they said I ought to be quite
Because I be woman I just be mattress for enjoyment
But enough is enough
I’m standing for my right
Fighting for what’s mine
The right to be heard
The right to be me
Chorus
Na me, na me,
Na me own my body
My spirit and my mind all belongs to me
Can’t keep on gagging me
Stifling and threatening me
Abusing, oppressing me
You no fit side line me at all
Bridge
I don’t belong in your kitchen
Your living room or other room
Don’t get it twisted
Rap (Akua Naru)
I own these hands
that touch that mold
the grasp you can’t control
sculpt the past the future holds
spell cast you in a zone-- Yo!
these be the hands they rough, they touch, disrupt
don’t give a fuck, catch them if you acting up, middle finger,
flash- what!
savor, strangle, I’m devil angel,
My range a flagrant one
machete to paper cut
Im Badu’s mama’s gun (blaw!)
Chorus
Na me, na me,
Na me own my body
My spirit and my mind all belongs to me
Can’t keep on gagging me
Stifling and threatening me
Abusing, oppressing me
You no fit side line me at all
Yoruba: *I cannot slay myself on account of you
I have done the best that I could
Arranged by BANTU / Additional vocal Arrangement by Damilola Williams, Abigail Ireoluwa Allen.
Recorded by Oluremi Iyilade @ Blackstar Studio, Lagos, Aman Junaid @ A.LR, Lagos & Akua Naru @
Mixed by Manuel Schlindwein Manu Schlindwein @ Manultec Soundlab Cologne
BANTU is a 13-piece Afrofunk/Afrobeat musical collective Their music is an eclectic fusion of the rich musical heritage of
Nigeria and the hybrid sounds of urban Africa and the diaspora. The band political lyrics reflect their strong stance against corruption,, social and economic injustices, urban alienation and xenophobia ....more
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