Nina
< Kardinal Offishall > Lyrics

Now dis
The singer is introducing themselves and starting the song.

Dis is the original Kardinal
The singer is claiming to be the original Kardinal, emphasizing their authenticity and uniqueness in the music industry.

And you know any guy diss
The singer is challenging anyone who might try to criticize or disrespect them.

Mi nah beg yuh nuh penny dem
The artist is asserting their independence and self-sufficiency, stating that they don't need anyone's financial help.

Mi Nina, mi Nina, mi Nina, mi Nina
The artist is addressing their love interest, Nina, repeating her name for emphasis and affection.

Mi pretty black Nina
The singer is expressing their admiration and attraction for Nina, noting her beauty and skin color.

Sit down beside mi in mi new two seeta
The singer is inviting Nina to sit beside them in their new car, indicating they want to spend time with her and show off their success.

She look pretty on di front ah di Gleaner (heh)
The artist is commenting on how beautiful Nina looks on the front page of a Jamaican newspaper called The Gleaner, highlighting her attractiveness and public presence.

Ova foreign dem will call her a heater (cha)
The artist is noting that overseas, people might see Nina as a seductive woman or a 'hot commodity.'

And when dem sent har / Dem nuh want har come in ya (naw)
The artist is claiming that when Nina was sent to a foreign location, she wasn't welcomed or allowed to stay, suggesting she might have faced discrimination.

Hey yo, all my life I seen her, didn't wanna touch her / Man all ah spen off dem money tryna dance wit her / Kiss her, love her and hug her (hey)
The singer is reflecting on how they've known Nina for a long time but didn't want to approach her romantically or sexually, instead seeing other men spend money and effort to impress her. The singer also expresses their desire to show Nina affection.

I first met her when I was a likkle youte / Ova Patrick City she deh a sleep inna mi room / Mi wake up and find har but mi mummy neva know / Donovan leave har deh so true him have another to / Mama she nah say nuttin' but she know weh Nina do / She will turn yuh life upside down
The artist recounts how they first met Nina when they were young and she was sleeping in their room in a Jamaican neighborhood called Patrick City. The artist found Nina there and didn't tell their mother, but suspected that their friend Donovan left her in the room. The artist's mother doesn't say anything about the situation, but realizes that Nina is someone who can have a profound impact on one's life.

Hey yo, di police nuh like har / True she live inna di ghetto dey will spite har / She's so sexy, gone fast forward mi and she gone leave Lexi / Pretty like a money and she barely eva vex mi / Mi daughta nuh like har (naw) / True all mi bredrin dem a wife har (ya) / Kardinal na seh nuttin, but mi know wah Nina do / She will turn yuh life upside down
The singer describes how the police don't like Nina because she lives in a poor, inner-city neighborhood and is considered attractive. The singer sees Nina as beautiful, interesting, and easygoing, but their daughter doesn't like her. The singer's friends all have relationships with Nina, but the singer doesn't say anything himself. However, the singer recognizes that Nina can change a person's life significantly.

Oh, Nina she cold and yuh done know she nuh beg nuh fren / Oh, betta hope she nuh say nothin' and she nuh hype around har ends / Oh, Nina she mean and she neva eva tek back talk / Oh mi Nina, mi Ni (yo watch da gyal deh a run out, cha!)
The singer describes Nina as an independent, self-sufficient woman who doesn't rely on others or seek their approval. The singer warns others to be careful how they speak around her or she might get angry. Despite her 'mean' attitude, the singer still finds Nina attractive and endearing.

Hey yo, all my life I seen her, didn't wanna touch her / Man all ah spen off dem money tryna dance wit her / Kiss her, love her and hug her (hey) / I first met her when I was a likkle youte / Ova Patrick City, a wah di (he he, he he) / Dups!
The singer repeats earlier lines to emphasize their lifelong attraction to Nina and how other men have tried to impress her with money and dancing. The singer fondly recalls their first meeting in Patrick City, a neighborhood in Jamaica. The song ends with the artist exclaiming the word 'Dups!', which might be a Jamaican slang term for acknowledgement or agreement.