Water Light
Food House
Ye paripa O
Wetin** do them
You mean you don`t know
Wetin do them
I go tell you
Wetin do them
You go hear am
Wetin do them

That means to say you no dey
For Nigeria be that
You see yourself
You no dey for Africa at all
You must dey come from London
New York, from Germany, from Italy…

That means to say you no
dey Nigeria be that
You see yourself you no de for
Afrika at all
If you dey for Africa where we dey
you go know
I go know wetin

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, actually used this song to position himself as the voice of the people once again. This track was released three years after the burning of Kalakuta, the musician’s abode, leading to forceful arrest, maiming and injuring a lot of residents in the commune, including the artiste’s mother, Funmilayo Ransome -Kuti was thrown out of the window from the third floor. She sustained injuries that led to her death later on. It was a global grieve.

Fela Kuti, the musician lost everything to that incident that was later proved erroneously by the Judicial Panel set up by the then military regime as ‘Unknown Soldier’

1981, Fela Kuti continued his crusade to emancipate the masses with his chart busting renditions, in high powered vocals, berating the government for not fulfilling their obligations to the people. Fela repeated countless times that Music is the Weapon. His music was strictly on public awareness but misconstrued by the government establishment and music purist as songs to promote anarchy.

Music researchers most times, didn’t review the music legend’s songs appropriately, as it was tagged rebellion. Fela was creating public awareness using music to promote ideals for the benefit of the people. And one of the classics he created was the highly acclaimed ‘Original Sufferhead’ in 1981.

He was vocal and provocative in his lyrics. Fela bared it all, asking why the ills was coming from a democratically elected government? Fela lampooned the rich class for not caring about the poor. Once the amenities are not in place, the rich class eloped with their families seeking comfort since they can afford it. The song was a sure street vibe and anthem.

The Shehu Shagari regime was in its first term in office. The civilian regime came after the General Elections in 1979, that ushered in the return of democracy in Nigeria after the collapse of the first transition which led to civil war and Dimka’s foiled coup in 1976, a lot of Nigerians gave high hopes for the return of democracy.

Fela opined the return was a means for the politicians to enrich themselves theough corruption more instead of serving the people that voted them in power.
While the government tried to introduce Social Engineering means of alleviating poverty, lack of genuine fiscal policies became the bane of the government and Fela couldn’t swallow such recklessness and the reason for the song ‘Original Sufferhead’

Simple and basic needs of the people were denied as the government couldn’t provide for their citizens. It was a high tempo fast track, danceable, yet spread the message like wildfire, typically Fela Kuti.

Plenty, about water, light, food, house
I go know wetin
Plenty plenty water for Africa
Na so-so water in Africa
Water underground, water in the air
Na so-so water in Africa
Water for man to drink nko** O

E-NO DEY
E-no dey e dey
E-NO DEY
Water for town
E-NO DEY
Government sef e dey?
E-NO DEY

Now, 41 years after the song was released and democracy is in its 22nd year, Nigerians are still yearning for credible essential services and amenities such as provision of water and electricity which are not coming even close anymore. A travel expedition across the country will bring some of the vocal renditions in the song to reality. Because of lack of credible policies to tackle essential amenities, Nigerians have resulted to investigate in boreholes for water supply and generating sets for power supply. Each time, a new government comes into place, with self alluding promises of turning things for the better, the populace still reel in anguish, struggling to survive.

More on the verses of ‘Original Sufferhead’ saw the Afrobeat musician tackling the high exploitation in food tariff. For him, it was ridiculous and unbearable. Presently, there are food shortages due to banditry and kidnapping that are now rampant in Nigeria.

Dem go call us Third World
We must dey craze for head
To dey sleep inside dust-bin
Dem go call us none-aligned nations
We must dey craze for head
To dey sleep under bridge O

Ordinary house for man

To leave nko O?
E NO DEY
Trouble
E yen dey
Water?
E no dey
Wahala
E yen dey
Food
E no dey
Trouble
E yen dey
House
E no dey
Wahala

E yen dey
Dem come turn-us to suffer-head

Kudos to the present government promoting and encouraging home grown food supply, banning importation of some food crops has also been a blessing to local production and patronage. Though with high cost of living, the local food crops are still as exorbitant as the imported ones.

‘Original Sufferhead ‘ by Fela Kuti -Music from the Original
Words /Ireho Aito /pictures /Google/lyrics /Google