His music was inspired by the five years he spent in Cameroon during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960's. He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.
Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Naza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".[1]
Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.
Temporarily relocating to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after several Cameroon-born members were deported. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the two hotels that he owned, Hotel Calbar and the Sweet Mother Hotel.
Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians[1]. Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.
Aki Special
Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama mama mama my-yay, who knows tomorrow, Mama? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, my friend. (Akie)
Heheh emama he
GUITARRA.
Akie, Akie Akie, Akie! Akie, ooh Akie, Akie, Akie
GUITARRA.
Ho This life is wonderful.
Don't be proud 'cos you can't.
It comes from God Almighty! Yeah!
Oh, oh-oh. Picken good-o, picken good-o, picken good-o, we know uh-huh.
But if you get picken, make you no laugh at people who way no get.
At all! If you no get picken, make you no cry, because you no get em.
'Cos the best opportunities come but once in this world, yeah-eh!
(Akie)
Akie, Akie Akie, Akie Yes! Akie, oh Akie, Akie, Akie.
Mama mama mama my-yay, who knows tomorrow, Mama? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, a girl. (Akie)
He Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pae, who knows tomorrow, Mama he? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, he. (Akie)
He he he he…
GUITARRA.
Oh oh oh, morning good-o, morning good-o, morning good-o, we know we know we know, uh huh.
But if you get money, make you no laugh at people who way no get.
If you no get money, make you no cry, because you no get em.
'Cos the best opportunities come but once in this world, yeah-yeah.
Akie, Akie Akie, Akie! Akie, oh Akie, Akie, Akie.
Mama mama mama my-yay, who knows tomorrow, Mama? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, papa. (Akie)
He Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pae, who knows tomorrow, Mama he? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, papa. (Akie)
He he he he…
GUITARRA.
YASA MAA
(Palmas)
Akie special
akie to desamu
Yeah.
Yepa yepa yepa yepa cancu
cancu he jajajaja. hooo.
GUITARRA.
Akie, Akie Akie, Akie! Akie, oh Akie, Akie, Akie.
Mama mama mama my-yay,
who knows tomorrow, Mama? (Akie)
Nobody knows tomorrow, my friend. hee (Akie)
La la la la la la la ly-ay, hoo, Mama he la la he he he? (Akie) Nobody knows tomorrow, Mama. (Akie)
GUITARRA.
Akie, Akie Akie, Akie! Akie, oh Akie, Akie, Akie. (Akie)
Akiee he he he he….
The lyrics to Prince Nico Mbarga's song Aki Special express the sentiment that nobody knows what the future holds and that people should not take their blessings or misfortunes for granted. The chorus repeats the name "Akie," likely referring to someone who is either a friend or a part of Nico Mbarga's personal lexicon. The verses caution the listener against arrogance and call for them to be humble, emphasizing that everything people have comes from God Almighty. The mention of "picken good-o" calls out those who have been blessed with wealth and success, warning them not to mock or judge those less fortunate. Similarly, those who haven't been as fortunate should also stay strong and not despair, as they too will have a chance in life.
Overall, the song is a reminder that life is unpredictable and that people should appreciate the blessings they have, as they can disappear just as quickly. It's a message of humility, resilience, and compassion that encourages listeners to treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of their station in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah Akie, Akie Akie, Akie Yes! Akie, oh Akie, Akie, Akie.
An expression of excitement and praise for Akie, whose name is repeated multiple times.
Mama mama mama my-yay, who knows tomorrow, Mama? (Akie)
Asking a rhetorical question about the uncertainty of the future and the need to rely on a higher power (Akie).
Nobody knows tomorrow, my friend. (Akie)
Acknowledging the uncertainty of the future and the importance of humility and faith in facing it.
Heheh emama he
GUITARRA.
A joyful exclamation, followed by instrumental music.
Ho This life is wonderful.
Expressing appreciation for the beauty and goodness of life.
Don't be proud 'cos you can't.
Advising against arrogance or conceit based on limited accomplishments or abilities.
It comes from God Almighty! Yeah!
Attributing the goodness of life to a higher power.
Oh, oh-oh. Picken good-o, picken good-o, picken good-o, we know uh-huh.
Recognizing the opportunities for success that exist in life.
But if you get picken, make you no laugh at people who way no get.
Advising against jeering or mocking others who are less fortunate.
At all! If you no get picken, make you no cry, because you no get em.
Encouraging resilience and acceptance for those who were not as fortunate in their opportunities.
'Cos the best opportunities come but once in this world, yeah-eh!
Noting the fleeting and rare nature of the best opportunities one can find.
Nobody knows tomorrow, a girl. (Akie)
Reaffirming the need for faith and humility to face the uncertainty of the future.
He Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pae, who knows tomorrow, Mama he? (Akie)
Repeating the question about the future's unknowability, with the addition of a father figure.
Nobody knows tomorrow, he. (Akie)
Reaffirming the limited knowledge one has of the future.
Oh oh oh, morning good-o, morning good-o, morning good-o, we know we know we know, uh huh.
Expressing appreciation for the beauty and optimism of mornings.
If you get money, make you no laugh at people who way no get.
Advising against mocking or taunting those who are less fortunate financially.
If you no get money, make you no cry, because you no get em.
Encouraging acceptance and resilience for those who are not as wealthy.
'Cos the best opportunities come but once in this world, yeah-yeah.
Reiterating the fleeting and rare nature of the best opportunities in life.
Nobody knows tomorrow, papa. (Akie)
Reaffirming the importance of humility, faith, and the prominence of a father figure.
YASA MAA
(Palmas)
Akie special
akie to desamu
Yeah.
Yepa yepa yepa yepa cancu
cancu he jajajaja. hooo.
A celebratory chant in praise of Akie alongside rhythmic clapping.
Akiee he he he he….
A joyful coda accompanied by laughter.
Contributed by Michael B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.