Africa
Nadia Nakai Lyrics

Africa
This line simply repeats the title of the song 'Africa'

Vachadzoyenda
This is a Shona phrase which roughly translates to 'they are following', this line is repeated throughout the song to encourage people to follow Africa

Guagua I am foreign
The artist acknowledges that she is foreign to Africa

I know I've been stalling
The artist recognizes that she has been hesitant or delayed taking action

Me history forgotten
The artist feels that her personal history and her African heritage has been forgotten

Long long time been a crime
The artist acknowledges that there have been historical crimes committed against Africans

My people sense all de ocean
An acknowledgment of the deep connection that Africans have with the ocean and its importance in African culture

Before prime no sea shine
The artist suggests that before the colonial era, Africa's oceans were not viewed as valuable or important by outsiders

We lost our fucking devotion
The artist feels that Africans have lost their dedication or loyalty to their culture and heritage due to outside influence and oppression

Praprapra for salvation
This line is hard to interpret but it could suggest that Africans are willing to do whatever it takes to save themselves

Pratatata me aggression
The artist feels a sense of aggression or anger about the way Africans have been treated historically

Forcing him into immigration
The artist acknowledges that Africans have been forced to immigrate to other countries in order to survive

To be yourselves irrigation
This line is also difficult to interpret, but it could suggest that Africans need to irrigate or nourish their own culture and heritage

Gun fight yeah guagua yeah
The artist recognizes that there has been violence and conflict in Africa's history

Fighting a caucasian
The artist acknowledges that there has been a struggle against white oppression in Africa

Africa they're the lifter the defenders
This line suggests that Africa has always been a place where people lift each other up and defend each other

Surrender mipangaresa
This line is in a language that is difficult to identify, but it could suggest that Africans have surrendered to outside influence or oppression

Wanna see all my abrasions
The artist wants people to see the scars and wounds that Africans have endured

Drink the blood from my ancestors
This line suggests that Africans need to embrace their heritage and culture, even the difficult parts

God bless em above and confess that they langa we shootin more down in depression
This line is also difficult to interpret, but it could suggest that the artist acknowledges the role that religion has played in Africa's history, even as Africans have experienced violence and depression

Pasamekemana bora bayenda
This line is in a language that is difficult to identify, but it could suggest that Africans have a shared history and culture

We listen we here for collection
This line suggests that Africans want to gather together and share their stories and experiences

Remember the time when we hit the rocks
The artist recalls a difficult time in Africa's history

And a price symbol with dreadlocks
This line suggests that there is value in African culture and heritage, even if it is not recognized by others

Now in the line at the short dust
This line acknowledges that Africans are still struggling and trying to survive

For them to put us in the fucking bus
The artist recognizes that Africans have been treated unfairly and even dehumanized in the past

Now you rolling a Mercedes
This line could suggest that some Africans have been able to rise above their circumstances and live the good life

Put on the gas and the nigga is haters
The artist recognizes that there are people who hate Africans for their success or perceived lack of success

Think you forgot that they took all our babies
The artist reminds people that Africans have experienced unspeakable tragedies and losses in the past

No longer fear we took back our nation
The artist is celebrating the strength and resilience of Africans in their fight for independence and freedom

Whaa
This is an exclamation of celebration or triumph