Senegal
Akon Lyrics

Yo, in case you ain't know
Introducing himself and his background

I go by the name of Akon and I'm from
Revealing his name and place of origin

(Africa, Africa)
Emphasizing his African roots

Home of the Goree Islands
Mentioning one of the historical locations in Africa

I'm from Senegal, West-side
Specifically stating his country of origin

So I'ma share with you where I'm from
Preparing the listener for a storytelling

And how I was comin' up
Introducing his personal life story

So what you know about the struggles
Asking the listener about their awareness of African struggles

That my people went through
Referring to the hardships faced by Africans

So you can live the way you live now?
Connecting African struggles with the listener's current lifestyle

So what you know about seeing
Asking about the listener's knowledge of difficult situations

That brand new mother givin' away her newborn child?
Depicting some of the extreme hardships faced by African mothers

So what you know about Mr. Amadou Diallo
Asking about the awareness of a Senegalese man killed by police

The Senegalese cop shot down?
Explaining the background of the man's death

So what you know about
Again asking the listener's awareness of certain issues

How people love to perceive us
Describing the negative stereotypes faced by Africans

When we come into a brand new town?
Detailing how Africans are often perceived in new environments

So what you know about the Goree Islands
Asking about awareness of the island's historical significance

Where all the slaves were shipped from?
Detailing how the island played a role in the slave trade

So what you know about
Once again asking listener's awareness

Being born in America to avoid immigration?
Describing a common narrative of immigrants fleeing to America

Still from the ghetto, ooh, of Senegal
Revealing his humble beginnings

(Africa, Africa)
Continuing to emphasize his African roots

Comin' from the ghetto, ooh of Senegal
Repeating his point of origin for added emphasis

Yes, I'm comin' from the ghetto, ooh, of Senegal
Reiterating that he is from a disadvantaged background in Senegal

So what you know about Tchebou Dje
Mentioning a traditional Senegalese food

Yassa, Deraay and Maafay, my favorite foods?
Listing some of his favorite dishes from home

So what you know about niggas throwin' rocks
Describing the violence that sometimes occurs in his hometown

Bustin' shots at the military invadin' my hood?
Detailing the severity of violence towards military presence

So what you know about kids with automatic machines
Referring to the child soldiers situation in some African countries

Waiting for the war to get on that side?
Describing some children's eagerness to join the fighting

So what you know about how God comes first in our lives?
Explaining the importance of religion and God in his culture

Everything that we do is for Allah
Further emphasizing the centrality of religion in his life

So what you know about that Holy place called Touba
Mentioning a major religious site in Senegal

Where Prophets were born?
Detailing the significance of Touba in Senegalese culture

So what you know about comin' here
Asking about awareness of immigrant experiences

Gettin' money and investing it back home?
Describing the common practice of immigrants sending money back to their families in Africa

Give it to the ghetto, ooo, of Senegal
Encouraging investment in disadvantaged areas in Africa

Take it to the ghetto, ooo, of Senegal
Reiterating the importance of investing in impoverished communities

Send it right to the ghetto, ooo, of Senegal
Stressing the importance of continued investment in disadvantaged areas

Now see that's just a little piece of how it is
Concluding the storytelling by summarizing a small part of his experiences

(Africa, Africa)
Emphasizing the pride in his African roots

See, but we can come together
Encouraging unity among Africans and African-Americans

And make it 'lot better back home
Stressing the importance of collaboration to improve conditions in Africa

So don't complain about how they treat me here
Advising against complaining about discrimination in the United States

Take your millions of dollars there, back to
Encouraging the listener to invest in Africa with the money they earned in America

(Africa, Africa)
Emphasizing the importance and potential of Africa

We own that land, we owned those diamonds
Asserting African ownership and resources

(Africa, Africa)
Repeated emphasis on his African roots

We kings man, we don't take orders, we give 'em
Promoting a strong sense of African pride and self-determination

Think about it
Encouraging reflection on the message of the song