Dr. Alban is a Swedish musician and producer with his own record label Dr. … Read Full Bio ↴Dr. Alban is a Swedish musician and producer with his own record label Dr. Records. His music can best be described as hip-hop reggae with a dance hall style.

Dr. Alban (born August 26, 1957 as Alban Nwapa in Nigeria) grew up listening to Fela Kuti and James Brown. At age 23, he began studying dentistry. In order to be able to finance his university studies the music-loving medical student started making his own music. During this time Alban worked as a DJ in the well known Stockholm club 'Alphabet Street'. Very quickly his name became widely known, especially since Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable as a DJ. DJ René couldn't help but notice him and so the highly intelligent medical student was discovered. But first Alban finished his studies and even opened his own dentistry practice.

In 1990, he met Denniz PoP from the SweMix label. Alban laid aside his dentist's drill and realised his dream. Together with Denniz and Rap-Queen Leila K, his first record, Hello Africa - his declaration of love for his African home - broke all records. Alban Nwapa became Dr. Alban. His debut-album Hello Africa sold roughly 1 million copies world-wide.

One year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love. 1.6 million singles of the song It's My Life were sold.
The album immediately sold over 1.7 million units. Then followed the albums Look Who's Talking and Born In Africa. All in all, Dr. Alban can look back on world-wide sales of over 5 million albums and over 6 million singles, which resulted in 7 times Silver, 30 times Gold and 30 times Platinum. His hit No Coke was even used to illustrate an anti-drugs campaign in Sweden.

After a re-release of No Coke, Dr. Alban confirmed his Euro dance style with his hits Look Who's Talking and Let The Beat Go On.

He created his own record company 'dr.records', on which he released Born in Africa, the first CD recorded completely in his studios. He became the producer of many artists such as La Cream.

More recently, his voice was featured on Sash!'s single Colour The World.
In 2000, he released the album titled Prescription.
In 2002 Dr. Alban featured Yamboo to release a remix for Sing Hallelujah!.
In 2007 Dr. Alban released the album titled Back To Basics.

Official website: http://www.dralban.net/

Rich Man/Poor Man
Dr. Alban Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people
Now that you know who you are
What do you want to be
And have you traveled very far
Far as the eye can see

How does it feel to be

One of the beautiful people
How often have you been there
Often enough to know
What did you see when you were there
Nothing that doesn't show

Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
You keep all your money in a big brown bag
Inside a zoo, what a thing to do
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too

How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people
Tuned to a natural E
Happy to be that way
Now that you've found another key
What are you going to play

Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
You keep all your money in a big brown bag
Inside a zoo, what a thing to do
Baby you're a rich man

Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dr. Alban’s song, Rich Man/Poor Man, seem to be talking about the superficiality of society and how people are easily swayed by money and material possessions. The first stanza seems to be challenging those who identify as beautiful or wealthy to introspect and ask themselves whether they know who they really are and what they want to be. The question of traveling far is a metaphorical one, hinting that people should broaden their horizons and not be limited by physical distance. The second stanza also questions those who identify as beautiful or wealthy, asking them how often they’ve been in that position and whether they’ve seen anything more than what is on the surface. The lyrics seem to be asking if those people have explored the depth of their personality and potential.

However, the chorus seems to be sarcastic, with the singer referring to those who identify as rich as “baby you’re a rich man”. By keeping their money in a big brown bag inside a zoo, the singer seems to be highlighting the absurdity of worshiping wealth and material possessions. The repetition of the chorus shows how the society that values money above anything else does so shamelessly. The last stanza seems to be an encouragement to find joy in who you are, find your passion and explore it.

Line by Line Meaning

How does it feel to be
What is the sensation resulting from your status?

One of the beautiful people
Being considered as an attractive figure?

Now that you know who you are
Now that you have understood your identity?

What do you want to be
What else do you aspire for yourself?

And have you traveled very far
Have you gone through a lot to reach here?

Far as the eye can see
As far as the vision can stretch?

How often have you been there
How frequently have you visited that place?

Often enough to know
Numerous times to have a good knowledge?

What did you see when you were there
What did you observe when you were present there?

Nothing that doesn't show
Everything accessible to be viewed and nothing missing?

Baby you're a rich man
Affirmation that you are wealthy