Gabriel was born in Essex, England. He returned to Nigeria with his family when he was just two years old. He grew up in different districts in Port-Harcourt city, Trans Amadi and Orazi but has been living in D/Line for over 17years. Growing up in a family composed mainly of girls, Slim Burna said he was forced to listen to songs from artists like, Tracy Chapman, Boy II Men, Michael Jackson and Keith Sweat, but those songs didn't really interest him until he listened to 2pac, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Shaggy, Dmx, Eminem, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, and Ruff Ryders. That’s when he fell in love with Hiphop music and decided to start writing his songs. During his early years in the music industry, Gabriel’s childhood friends gave him the name "Slim Burna" meaning "the slim bone that burns". His previous releases include “Whatz ur name”, “Is 4 u”, “I like to move it”, “Kpasima” and “Highness Madness”.
Slim Burna rose to fame in 2009 he released a re-make of “Oyoyo” (a track originally recorded by Jay Martins) which was featured in several mixtapes put together by Naija DJs Coalition.The single became an instant hit. "Oyoyo" is a childhood slang in Nigeria used when the child's mum has returned home (mummy oyoyo). Slim Burna said he decided to do the re-make of “Oyoyo” because he felt the song wasn't complete.
In May 2012, he collaborated with an award-winning export from Port Harcourt, M-Trill on the song titled "Oya Na"for his album effort “Dirty Dancehall”. A remixed version of the song was later recorded with Ugandan artist Nick Nola and can be found on Nola's debut album "Honey Moon".
Slim Burna has previously released a couple of compilations, most notably "The Streets Mixtape" volumes 1, 2 and 3 which featured great songs from the upcoming and some of the best artists the Niger Delta and South South music scene has to offer.
On April 11, 2013, Slim Burna released as a free gift for fans his debut mixtape "I'm On Fire".
All Day
Slim Burna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya know
Sometime ago
My poppa e ma say to me
What didn't kill you
Always makes you strong
The words of a wiseman
Gat me pon this joint
We calling it ghetto youths people
Bukwild da Ikwerrian, deh ya so
You dunno.. Click!!
In every corner you die
Must be born of the same person
[Slim Burna]
Men, when I heard the news about
Big l, tipsy, and chidiaka, tekkena too
I was suprised, you understand
No matter what they did
They were not supposed to burn them
I don't know what to say
But their death brought hiphop back to Port Harcourt...word
Talking 'bout struggling
Welcome to my country
Take a walk around the city
Take a little survey
Gunshots, people killing
A lot of gun plays
Christian, muslim, fighting
A lot of bomb plays
Take a little rewind
Back to 1999
Its not the same place
Don't look front, better look behind
The government think sey we are mad
Me I speak for the dumb and the blind
Many things running through my mind
Gat me screaming out all day...
(Chorus)
From the slums to the ghetto
My people suffering
Lotta people dying
Gat me screaming out all day
All day, all day
Gat me screaming out all day
All day, all day
Ye, ye
[Bukwild Da Ikwerrian]
Like yesterday when mi see a Ghetto youth he ma blush
Cos him no get moni runnin' thru the puss
Lootin' Prostitution is the order of the day
Cos a Ghetto youth want a likkle sumtin' fi eat situation make dem act so natty
Government say dem don't know
Situation make dem act so natty
Government say dey don't know
Ghetto youth be wise now
Ghetto youth nah be wise now
Cos Jesus Christ was born in Ghetto
12 Disciples dem a come from the Ghetto
Martin Luther King him a come from the Ghetto
Why you act like sey you don't know your the best now
(Chorus 2x)
From the slums to the ghetto...
My people suffering...
lotta people dying
got me screamin out all day
all day..all day
The lyrics to Slim Burna's All Day can be interpreted as a commentary on the struggles of the ghetto youths in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The song starts with a quote from the artist's father, who advises him that what doesn't kill him will make him stronger. Burna then goes on to express his surprise and sorrow at the deaths of prominent members of the hip hop community in his city. He laments the state of his country, where gun violence, religious conflict, and government corruption are commonplace. Despite these challenges, he recognizes that the ghetto youth are resilient and have the potential to do great things. The song ends with a chant of "from the slums to the ghetto" - an acknowledgment of the difficulties faced by those in low-income communities and a call to action to help them overcome their struggles.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 2013, just a year after the artist narrowly escaped death in a car accident. This incident inspired him to write more reflective and introspective music, according to an interview with The Sun News. Slim Burna also stated that he wanted to use his music as a platform to raise awareness about the issues facing the youth in his city.
Another fact about the song is that it features vocals from Bukwild Da Ikwerrian, a prominent Nigerian artist who specializes in afrobeats and dancehall music. Bukwild's contribution to the song adds to the overall feeling of hope and solidarity expressed in the lyrics.
The song's video was shot in various locations around Port Harcourt, including the city's notorious slums. The video features footage of children playing in the streets, food vendors, and other daily activities in the city. This visual representation of the city's struggles and triumphs lends another layer of emotional weight to the song.
In terms of the song's musical style, All Day features a mix of traditional African rhythms and contemporary hip hop beats. The result is a unique blend of sounds that reflects the artist's diverse influences and cultural background.
Some of the song's lyrics are delivered in Nigerian Pidgin, a mix of English and local dialects that is widely spoken in the country. This adds a sense of authenticity to the song and helps the artist connect with local audiences.
The chords for All Day are not publicly available, but the song's complex instrumentation includes elements of afrobeats, hip hop, and R&B. The song's production was handled by Slim Burna and a team of collaborators, who brought their individual talents to the song's creation.
Overall, Slim Burna's All Day is a powerful tribute to the resilience of the ghetto youth in Port Harcourt and serves as a reminder that music can be a force for social change. The combination of heartfelt lyrics, unique musical style, and powerful visuals make this song a standout in the artist's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Ya know
Introducing a topic, like 'you know what I mean?'
Sometime ago
Talking about the past and setting the scene
My poppa e ma say to me
Quoting fatherly advice as passed down from generation to generation
What didn't kill you
Taking a saying that reflects the human experience
Always makes you strong
Believing that things will be better after a struggle
The words of a wiseman
Acknowledging the authority and experience of one's elders
Well Slim Burna, you dunno
Adressing Slim Burna and challenging his knowledge
Gat me pon this joint
Saying let's work together on this song or project
We calling it ghetto youths people
Naming the song and targeting the youth audience
Bukwild da Ikwerrian, deh ya so
Discussing the presence of many people in the area with Bukwild da Ikwerrian in particular
You dunno.. Click!!
Using a sound effect to indicate emphasis
In every corner you die
Painting a picture of danger or a hostile environment
Must be born of the same person
Suggesting that all people are fundamentally the same despite their differences
Men, when I heard the news about
Continuing with the topic of news
Big l, tipsy, and chidiaka, tekkena too
Naming victims of a tragic event
I was suprised, you understand
Expressing a feeling like surprise so others can relate
No matter what they did
Suggesting that the victims did not deserve their fate
They were not supposed to burn them
Expressing strong disagreement or dissent
I don't know what to say
Admitting to a sense of helplessness or confusion
But their death brought hiphop back to Port Harcourt...word
Positively reflecting on a cultural shift or community response
Talking 'bout struggling
Transitioning into a new topic
Welcome to my country
Expressing pride or ownership of a place
Take a walk around the city
Describing the experience of being in a certain location
Take a little survey
Suggesting that there is information to be gained or lessons to be learned
Gunshots, people killing
Describing the prevalence of violence and danger
A lot of gun plays
Saying that gun violence is common or normalized
Christian, muslim, fighting
Describing religious conflicts or tensions
A lot of bomb plays
Suggesting that terrorism is an issue
Take a little rewind
Reflecting on the past
Back to 1999
Setting the time frame
Its not the same place
Comparing past and present
Don't look front, better look behind
Suggesting that the past holds important lessons for the future
The government think sey we are mad
Commenting on the perception of government and society towards a group of people
Me I speak for the dumb and the blind
Advocating for the marginalized or voiceless
Many things running through my mind
Describing a state of mental activity or contemplation
Gat me screaming out all day...
Expressing extreme emotion or frustration
From the slums to the ghetto
Describing geographic areas of poverty and discrimination
My people suffering
Acknowledging the pain or difficulties experienced by others
Lotta people dying
Expressing the severity of the situation
All day, all day
Emphasizing the ongoing nature of the issue
Ye, ye
Using a sound to indicate agreement or approval
Like yesterday when mi see a Ghetto youth he ma blush
Recalling a specific memory or moment
Cos him no get moni runnin' thru the puss
Explaining what caused the reaction to seeing a poor person
Lootin' Prostitution is the order of the day
Commenting on the issues that poor people are facing
Cos a Ghetto youth want a likkle sumtin' fi eat situation make dem act so natty
Saying that hunger and poverty can drive people to do desperate things
Government say dem don't know
Implying that the government is not doing enough or is ignoring the problem
Ghetto youth be wise now
Encouraging young people to be smart and make good decisions
Ghetto youth nah be wise now
Acknowledging that some young people may not be making the best choices
Cos Jesus Christ was born in Ghetto
Using religion to suggest that impoverished areas deserve respect
12 Disciples dem a come from the Ghetto
Using a religious reference to emphasize the value of those who come from poor areas
Martin Luther King him a come from the Ghetto
Using a historical figure as an example of someone who overcame poverty to do great things
Why you act like sey you don't know your the best now
Encouraging people to take pride in themselves and not let societal pressures bring them down
Contributed by Lila H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.