In today’s article, I will be trying my very best to create a case that Young John is the most romantic man to touch planet Earth. Okay, maybe not just him but Young John, Wande Coal, Flavour, YKB, Mohbad, and Wizkid amongst others - all romantic men obsessed with their women.
Nigerian music across all genres is the largest mine of words to inspire you to do better for your woman. Often, people lack a contextual understanding of the lyrics, preventing them from grasping the depth of some of these professions and words.
In this newsletter, I will delve into "Alternative Romance" and the unconventional expressions Nigerian men & musicians embrace. Here are my top 5 love proclamations.
Song title: Gbese by Majeed & Tiwa Savage
Genre: Promising you the world
At the core of a Nigerian man’s approach to love, the true romantics understand that it is okay to go into debt for your woman. Majeed here expresses that "Baby, because of you I can lose it all. Because of you, my baby, I can face financial indebtedness." I understand cos a man like me will be satisfied just seeing my baby girl happy. This is peak romance.
Hear me out, if you take 90 seconds to watch a scene from Kedibone 06:00 - 09:00, you will understand Baby I can go into debt for you.
The TLDR of this movie is that a man sold his only inheritance, a BMW Convertible, so his girlfriend could attend university. He also drained his bank account to buy her a ring. While some may label this as foolishness, a deeper look reveals profound romance.
Song title: San Siro
Genre: Word of Affirmation and slightly irrational decisions
In the above snapshot, YKB expresses that if he is posted ( Posted is a term used in the National Youth Service Corps to refer to being assigned to a different region almost always thousands of miles away from your state of residence)
For context: NYSC is a program by the Nigerian government, conceived during the military regime, to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building. Its efficacy is debated and there are polarising views on its relevance, especially given the uprise in bribes for people to prioritise convenience, Many privileged individuals bypass the system's intent by paying bribes to get postings in their home state. YKB's willingness to embrace discomfort in a new region for love is undeniably romantic.
LOVE ME OR I DIE ROMANCE
This brand of romance implies that rejection equates to a fate worse than death. Quite literally, this love feels like if you do not accept their love, they will die. Let me put it in context for you …
Song title: Ololufe by Wande Coal
Genre: Love me or I die
Wande Coal, a true legend, conveys that without his woman, he'd be lost, even to the point of death. She is his everything, and she fills his dreams.
Song title: Tonongo by Lojay
Genre: Word of Affirmation & Promise you the world
Here Lojay says, not only do you make it easy to fall in love you are the Messi of ass cheeks. Ballon d’Or is presented to the best player in the world, for context Messi has 7 of them and Lojay is saying his girl is the overall best - he is affirming that there is nobody thicker than her. Yet again, I present to you … romance
THEM PROMISING YOU THE WORLD
Song title: Sharpally by Young John
Genre: Vibes
While some may find this song cheesy, it's all in the delivery. In the first couple of lines, the lyrics equate the importance of his lover to that of daily vitamins, drawing a romantic parallel with health. Yet again, I present to you… ROMANCE
Take some time to listen to more Nigerian songs and reflect deeply on how you can love your partner better if not …
If you have enjoyed this article and can keep an open mind, kindly find my Alt Love playlist here.
Have a nice!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this hahaha! There is no way I am settling for less after this frrr.
It will always pure excitement when once in a blue moon comes around the corner and sitting in my emails is a letter from you! Ps love this letter, definitely would be scared of that kind of romance because I guess it takes time to embrace such. But the perspective is pristine!