Soobax
K´naan Lyrics
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I wanna talk to you directly
I can't ignore, I can't escape
And that's 'cause you affect me
You cripple me, you shackle me
You shatter my whole future in front of me
This energy is killing me
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
So for real, who's to blame?
We lose lives over Qabiil's name
Disregard for the soul
We just don't give a fuck no more
Left alone, all alone
Settle your issues on your own
What to do? Where to go?
I got to be a refugee damn, soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Mogadishu used to be
A place where the world would come to see
Jaziira, sugunto liida, wardhiigleey iyo Madiina
Hargeysa, Boosaaso, Baardheere iyo Berbera
My skin needs to feel the sand, the sun
I'm tired of the cold, god damn soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
I guess I could use the last bar to flow
I'm known as a lyrical rhyme domino
I'm cynical, well, oh, now you know
Put a whole in an emcee like cheerio
They don't hear me though
I work for the struggle, I don't work for dough
I mean what I say, I don't do it for show
Somalia needs all gunmen right out the door
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
The lyrics to K'naan's "Soobax" delve into the artist's personal feelings about the issues and conflicts plaguing Somalia, his homeland. The first stanza mentions the artist's frustration with someone who has affected him, crippling and shackling him. He compares the feeling of being weighed down to having his future shattered before him. The second stanza acknowledges the unnecessary loss of lives that occurs due to tribal names and disputes, suggesting that Somalia needs to do better when it comes to valuing human life. The chorus, "nagala soobax", which translates to "don't come up", repeats several times to emphasize that the artist wants to be left alone, free from the conflicts that threaten his safety and well-being.
The third and final stanza laments the state of Somalia and reminisces about a time when it was a place where the world would come to see. The artist mentions specific cities and landmarks in Somalia, expressing a desire to return home and feel the sun and sand on his skin once more. The final lines of the song reveal K'naan's personal mission to bring awareness to the struggles of Somalia through his music, and his belief that the country needs to rid itself of violence and conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Basically, I got beef
Essentially, I have an issue with you
I wanna talk to you directly
I want to have a direct conversation with you
I can't ignore, I can't escape
I cannot disregard or avoid this situation
And that's 'cause you affect me
It's because you have an impact on me
You cripple me, you shackle me
You hinder and restrain me
You shatter my whole future in front of me
You destroy my entire future in front of my eyes
This energy is killing me
This negative force is causing me harm
I gotta let it pour like blood, soobax
I have to let it out, like a pouring of blood, soobax
Dadkii waa dhibtee nagala soobax
The heartache I feel cannot be overlooked
Dhibkii waa batee nagla soobax
The pain I feel cannot be hidden
Dhiigi waad qubtee nagala soobax
The anger I feel cannot be contained
Dhulkii waad gubtee nagala soobax
The desire for revenge I feel cannot be ignored
Nagala soobax, nagala soobax
Don't overlook, don't overlook
So for real, who's to blame?
Seriously, who is responsible?
We lose lives over Qabiil's name
We sacrifice lives over tribal affiliations
Disregard for the soul
Lack of respect for human life
We just don't give a fuck no more
We simply don't care anymore
Left alone, all alone
Abandoned, completely alone
Settle your issues on your own
Resolve your problems without help
What to do? Where to go?
What actions to take? Where to turn?
I got to be a refugee damn, soobax
I have to become a refugee, damn, soobax
Mogadishu used to be
Mogadishu was once
A place where the world would come to see
A destination for visitors from around the world
Jaziira, sugunto liida, wardhiigleey iyo Madiina
Jaziira, sugunto liida, war-torn cities of Wardhiigleey and Madiina
Hargeysa, Boosaaso, Baardheere iyo Berbera
Hargeysa, Boosaaso, Baardheere and Berbera
My skin needs to feel the sand, the sun
I yearn to feel the sand and sun on my skin
I'm tired of the cold, god damn soobax
I'm fed up with the cold, damn, soobax
I guess I could use the last bar to flow
I suppose I can use the final verse to rap
I'm known as a lyrical rhyme domino
I'm recognized as a skilled rapper with a consistent flow
I'm cynical, well, oh, now you know
I'm skeptical, and now you're aware
Put a whole in an emcee like cheerio
Do serious damage to a rapper, like a cereal snack
They don't hear me though
They don't listen to what I'm saying
I work for the struggle, I don't work for dough
I work for the cause, not for money
I mean what I say, I don't do it for show
I speak truthfully, not for showmanship
Somalia needs all gunmen right out the door
Somalia needs to eliminate all armed individuals
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN WEST, GERALD EATON, KEINAN WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@misomaya
For the chorus, this is the translation. Love this brave man so much:
Soobax
"Soobax" comes at you with legendary Somali mashxarad (celebratory cry usually performed by Somali woman) and a subtle Arabian/African fusion beat. It's an angry song talking to the people who caused Somali's civil war. The people who carried guns and used them to kill civilians. Whether he's talking about the British, Americans, or Somalis who fought under Siad Barre, I don't know. But he tells us directly, "Somalia needs all gunmen right out the door." K'naan names all of the major Somali cities, wishing he could be under the sun instead of the [Canadian] cold. I agree wholeheartedly, living in the Northeast myself. Because of the tribal (qabiil) squabbles and prejudices, the war caused so many people, my family included, to escape the country and become refugees.
The chorus which is completely in Somali can be translated like this:
"Dadkii waa dhibteen, nagala soobax.
(You've bothered the people, so get out.)
Dhibkii waa bateen, nagala soobax.
(The problems have increased, so get out.)
Dhiigi waa qubteen, nagala soobax.
(You've spilled blood, so get out.)
Dhulkii waa gubteen, nagala soobax."
(You've burned the earth, so get out.)
@hu6284
The chorus which is completely in Somali can be translated like this:
"Dadkii waa dhibteen, nagala soobax.
(You've bothered the people, so get out.)
Dhibkii waa bateen, nagala soobax.
(The problems have increased, so get out.)
Dhiigi waa qubteen, nagala soobax.
(You've spilled blood, so get out.)
Dhulkii waa gubteen, nagala soobax."
(You've burned the earth, so get out.)
@misomaya
For the chorus, this is the translation. Love this brave man so much:
Soobax
"Soobax" comes at you with legendary Somali mashxarad (celebratory cry usually performed by Somali woman) and a subtle Arabian/African fusion beat. It's an angry song talking to the people who caused Somali's civil war. The people who carried guns and used them to kill civilians. Whether he's talking about the British, Americans, or Somalis who fought under Siad Barre, I don't know. But he tells us directly, "Somalia needs all gunmen right out the door." K'naan names all of the major Somali cities, wishing he could be under the sun instead of the [Canadian] cold. I agree wholeheartedly, living in the Northeast myself. Because of the tribal (qabiil) squabbles and prejudices, the war caused so many people, my family included, to escape the country and become refugees.
The chorus which is completely in Somali can be translated like this:
"Dadkii waa dhibteen, nagala soobax.
(You've bothered the people, so get out.)
Dhibkii waa bateen, nagala soobax.
(The problems have increased, so get out.)
Dhiigi waa qubteen, nagala soobax.
(You've spilled blood, so get out.)
Dhulkii waa gubteen, nagala soobax."
(You've burned the earth, so get out.)
@desireechoate7583
Wow thank you
@abinsurly2910
Thanks!
@nch1409
Thank you
@campbecd
Wow. Been on this for years and didn't know the words haha. Amazing.
@btac3072
what happened to k'naan..he was the realest voice from Africa
@alanawilliams4876
so true I wonder
@abdiqanihusein1102
B Tac cos people don't wanna realist man
@Hamzamoe26
B Tac listen too nothing to lose ft nas
@youthought3521
this needs WAY more views he only got about 300,000 views