Femi Kuti is an award winning Nigerian musician, and the oldest son of lege… Read Full Bio ↴Femi Kuti is an award winning Nigerian musician, and the oldest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

Femi was born in London on 16 June 1962 and grew up in the former Nigerian capital Lagos.

Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career, but he differs in his religious views.

In 2001, Femi collaborated with a number of US musicians such as Common, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright, on his Fight to Win album. This album was widely regarded as the most influential Neo-Afrobeat album of the early 21st century.

Na Bigmanism Spoil Government
Femi Kuti Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We do not criticize government because we want government to fail
We criticize government because we want government to stop and change their bad ways
Many join politics for selfish reasons and their personal gain
Is why to Black people they bring so much suffering, hunger and pain
We the people must understand as citizens
We are part of government
And as citizens, we the people give government officials empowerment
When government officials start to think that they′re better pass we the citizens

Bigmanism done enter the equation, government done start to lose their common sense

Bigmanism spoil government
(Come on, tell them, let them hear, let them change)
Na bigmanism spoil government
(Come on, tell them, let them change their ways)
Na bigmanism spoil government
(Bigmanism, na bigmanism, bigmanism)
Na bigmanism spoil government
(Oya, queen, one, two, three)

Common, heeey, hmmmm-mmm
It's afrobeat, it′s grooving, ah

Overall Meaning

In Femi Kuti's song "Na Bigmanism Spoil Government," the singer highlights the role of government officials and politicians in the suffering of Black people due to their selfish motives and "bigmanism." The lyrics encourage citizens to voice their criticisms of government not because they want it to fail, but because they want it to change its ways and serve the people's interests rather than the interests of a privileged few.

The song speaks to a larger theme of corruption in politics, where officials may become more concerned with their personal gain and status than serving the public. Femi Kuti suggests that when these officials begin to see themselves as superior to the citizens they serve, they lose touch with the needs and realities of the people, leading to government failures and unnecessary suffering. The lyrics serve as a call to action for citizens to recognize their power in the political system and hold their leaders accountable.

Line by Line Meaning

We do not criticize government because we want government to fail
Our criticism of the government is not due to a desire for the government to fail, but to spur them towards adopting better policies

We criticize government because we want government to stop and change their bad ways
Our criticism of the government is to encourage change away from their detrimental ways

Many join politics for selfish reasons and their personal gain
Several people pursue political careers for self-serving purposes instead of the welfare of the people

Is why to Black people they bring so much suffering, hunger and pain
This motive for politics leads to Black people having to endure a great deal of suffering, hunger, and pain

We the people must understand as citizens
We as the citizens should realize that we hold an essential role in the government

We are part of government
As citizens, we play a crucial role in the functioning of the government

And as citizens, we the people give government officials empowerment
Our support of the government officials gives them the power they need to execute their duties

When government officials start to think that they′re better pass we the citizens
The moment officials in the government believe they are superior to the citizens, problems arise

Bigmanism done enter the equation, government done start to lose their common sense
The arrogance and egotism of government officials contribute to their incompetence, resulting in poor decision-making

Bigmanism spoil government
The bigmanism (arrogance and egotism) of officials has a detrimental impact on the government

Na bigmanism spoil government
Arrogance and egotism are significant hindrances leading to the failure of the government

Na bigmanism spoil government
Egotism and incompetence from officials lead to the downfall of the government

Na bigmanism spoil government
The arrogance and egotism of those in power ruins the government

Writer(s): Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti

Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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