Walking
Nneka Lyrics

In Nneka's song 'Walking', she highlights the issues of prejudice and discrimination that still exist in society today. The first line, "When the music's in my system, ain't no telling if he Muslim if he Christian, that's what they be yelling", suggests that even though people may share the same passion for music, they can often be segregated based on their religious beliefs. This idea is further emphasised with the repetition of "bum bum", which shows that the rhythm and beat of the music is something that transcends all religious and cultural differences. In essence, the music becomes a unifying factor that brings people together despite their diverse backgrounds.

The following lines, "I never got hated on directly to my face, I never went to jail without rumbling the cops, who thought a nigga was a slave trying to put me in my place", express Nneka's own experience of facing indirect hatred and prejudice. These lines suggest that although she has not been subject to direct hatred, she has experienced discrimination in various forms throughout her life. Furthermore, she talks about the injustice caused by law enforcement officials that try to oppress people of colour and those from minority communities.

The lyrics, "The camouflaged wolves stealing lambs from the shepherds, your average John Malkovich, transform myself to the wind like The Alchemist, you know what the outcome is", suggest a deeper meaning of self-discovery and transformation. Nneka uses the metaphor of camouflaged wolves to describe people who steal opportunities and luxuries from the underprivileged. The next line is a reference to the actor John Malkovich, suggesting that he is an "average" figure despite his status as a celebrity. Finally, the line "transform myself to the wind like The Alchemist", is a direct reference to Paulo Coelho's book, "The Alchemist", which tells the story of a shepherd who goes on a journey of self-discovery. This line highlights the idea of transformation and self-discovery, as Nneka uses her music to transform her own personal experiences into a message that resonates with many.