2022: The Year To ‘Buga’ -By Peter Ojelabi

Thrilled with the compliments of her merited victory, she waved to her fans as they screamed her name, raised her shoulder up and danced to the melody of BUGA music. This is Tobi Amusan, Nigerian athlete, after smashing a world record in the Women’s 100 meters hurdles in the semifinals at the World Athletics Championship.

Kiss Daniel’s latest banger ‘BUGA’s popularity has gone beyond its catchy vibe. The escort dance step enhanced the acceptability of the song. According to Shazam, an App that identifies music has rated the music as one of the top five afro beats trending globally and named it the most Shazamed song in the world.

Since the release of the hit song, social media has been awash with creative skits on Tik Tok and group performances, with many twists to the rhythm. At a particular point, there was a BUGA challenge that made the social media space agog.

Buga, which is the lead song on Apple Musics top 100 in Nigeria and top one among the top 100 on Apple in Kenya, saw the singer perform in Birmingham on Saturday, May 21 as part of his London tour.

While commenting on the outing on his social media space, the veteran afro beat singer said, “It’s a great feeling when you put out a masterpiece and the rest of the world accepts it as one, that’s a satisfying feeling right there. And such encourages you to do more.

“The singer has also explained that Buga is a Nigerian saying, which means Show off, and stunt on them. So, in this context, it means after you’ve put in the work, let your results speak loudly. Enjoy your success.”

Whatever you’re seeing out there, whatever results the song is generating, that’s the result of hard work. And I’ve consistently put in my best in all my songs. Nothing good comes easy.”

The upbeat, bright tune has become an anthem for anybody who wants to have a good time, as well as a dance to it has gone viral.

Many important personalities have seen with the dancing steps, like Liberian President, George Weah; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the latest world champion, Tobi Amusan.

However, Kiss Daniel is not the first musician to use the slang in music; Jesse King has used it in his iconic single “Elema BUGA”. With the caliber of people that vibe to this afro beat melody, it is imperative to say that Kiss Daniel gave us something we can compare to our National Anthem.

BUGA Lyrics

Hey don’t sleep no sleep wake up (Uba) Collect your money (Collect your money) Wake up eh Collect your money (Collect your money) Wake up (Giddem) Gbe’ra (Gbe’ra o) Gbe’ra go get that mullah (Wake up) Oh ah mo ni ko kala (Kala gb’owo yẹn o) Kala gb’owo yẹn l’ọwọ dealer (Kala ko) You don work you don try try You suppose to dey j’aiye j’aiye Kilo kan mi kan person matter o Person wey don mad oy When I land I land softly on a sofa floor So far so good koni baje o Let me see you (Go low low low) Let me see you (Go low low low) Buga wọn (Lemme) Buga wọn Lemme see you dey buga (Go low low low) Lemme see you (Go low low low) Buga won

Peter Ojelabi writes from Ogbomoso

Pojelabi@gmail.com