I love this song so much that I decided to attempt a translation of this beautiful song for those who may not understand the language. I have also included notes in bracket to clarify some of the terms in the lyrics. Please note this translation cannot capture the beautiful rhyming and word play used in the original translation. Also, please remember this is only an attempt to tell the story so beautifully rendered by Safo Newman. The song is a story being told by a young boy who's living with someone other than his biological parents. He beautifully captures the kind of abuse people like him go through in our society. Title: Akokoa - Child Verse 1: Listen! Boy, I'm running out of breath! She calls me Kwakye Bankye (a derogatory name) But she calls her son "Sweetie". I'm like the millipede, she doesn't like me I have to fill 3 barrels with water everyday Then I scrub the floor of every room in the house. After that, I wash a big heap of dirty clothes I'm not allowed to eat until I'm done with all these chores Bridge How she treats me is not how she treats Joe Boy She pampers him because he's her son This maltreatment is not limited to just me It is a very common practice in society She says she a God worshipper But her love doesn't go beyond her own children Chorus (***for Christian child abusers) In the morning She'll go to church and sing "holy, holy","Praise Him!" (***for Moslem child abusers) She'll bow and touch the ground with her forehead She'll fast during Ramadan at the mosque, "Alahamdilla"! (***for traditional worshipping child abusers) She'll pour libation to the gods And give them mashed yam,"piaaw!" When she's done worshipping her god She'll return home and beat me into a pulp ( *** he uses the word "tosa" to describe what he's subjected to in the hands of this woman. "Tosa" is the bark of a tree beaten repeatedly until it becomes like fibre) Repeat Chorus Oooo Oooo Oooo verse 2 She claims she toughening me up But she's not telling the truth What I'm going through is nothing but slavery What you're saying is just a cover-up Half of my clothes is torn into pieces I sleep on a scratched and bare cement floor She says "you either sleep here or outside" And it's not like I'm disobedient or anything like that Bridge How she treats me is not how she treats Joe Boy She pampers him because he's her son I'm not the only suffering this kind of abuse It is a very common practice in society She says she a God worshipper But her love doesn't go beyond her own children When grandma Dora calls She tells her I'm disrespectful My grandpa Kwakye Barima will chip in some advice He says "She's the one taking care of you, so be patient" Pam pam pa naa, pam pam pa naa (** He's mimicing a trumpet) I'm only a kid What can I do? Pam pam pa naa, pam pam pa naa I'm only a kid What can I do? Chorus In the morning She'll go to church and sing "holy, holy","Praise Him!" She'll bow and touch the ground with her forehead She'll fast during Ramadan at the mosque, "Alahamdilla!" She'll pour libation to the gods And give them mashed yam, "piaaw!" When she's done worshipping her god She'll return home and beat me into a pulp Repeat Chorus Outro: Listen to me, you worshipper of God Show love to all people For no one has ever seen the God above Don't love only your children Love others too!!!
This was me years back in lapaz close to cosmos school when i was staying with my uncle and his wife. The maltreatment from my aunty was just something else. The song says it all hmmm.🤦🏽♀️ Each minute i hear this song I remember myself years back🥺 Thank God I'm a better person today 🙏🏼
This Akokoa song is well understood by those of us who lived with people who weren't our biological parents. I was always having low self confidence growing up Such a humble soul full of talent.But thank God things are picking up for him🙏
Some biological parents too. It depends on the person. For instance this boy calmness reminds me of my brother. My mother wanted him to come out of his shell. If he wasn't my mother's child, people might have complained that she didn't love him. Sometimes Nature makes us go through some tough processes because what doesn't break you makes you stronger.
Sago Newman nearly shed tears when he mentioned Mr Lartey’s name as his top fan. This gentleman has been through a lot. God bless your hustle bro. The saddest part of life is been treated like a slave by people who are family.
He is smart and yet so cool and calm. I see a bright future ahead for him. People are really suffering oooo even at ehe hands of their own parents. The lyrics of this song is very deep and so emotional. The story behind the song affects more people on the continent.
Kofi, I was discussing your question at 32:27 with a friend. The question is, "what is the fate of a Kwakye Bankye vis a vis a Joe Boy?" My observation is, when a Kwakye is able to survive the abuse, they go on to become successful in life. Sadly, most abused children fall by the wayside because of the trauma they go through growing up. Child abuse renders the victims timid and that can affect them academically, if they ever get the opportunity to go to school. The fate of a Joe Boy is also a mixed bag. Some take advantage of the privileged life they enjoy from childhood and go on to do well in life. Others allow the pampering from childhood to go into their heads. Such people lack initiative and would want everything on a silver-platter. The worst thing to happen to a Joe Boy is when the pampering parent is no more and there's no support system to fall on. I happen to be a Kwakye Bankye who survived years of abuse from my stepmom. Unfortunately, my Joe Boy half-brother fell through the cracks. By age 17 he had 2 kids with 2 different girls, dropped out of high school, became a drunkard (He would visit me on campus KNUST wreaking of alcohol) and passed at age 27. I really missed my brother!!! Da yie, Yaw!!!
@@alphafall404 You dont have any idea what u are saying Look at Nas in USA he is one of the greatest Hip Hop artist ever even Jay Z is afraid of him and his supreme lyrics but because of quietness he did not Go far even Puff Dadddy was saying the same thing the other time about him.....people follow Blacko all over the world because of his energy and power in the voice....a lot of people dont like slow people No matter how you write good music because they make people feels sorrowful
@@dohcharlesrobinson1275 But that quietness is not introversion. It means not putting in the necessary effort and not being proactive. It refers to the mentality that "I will become successful just because I'm good". These days music production and promotion are key. With a good team and a little rebranding he will be very big. About stage performance, we are yet to see his true potential cos he will massively improve. But think of it that some artiste's strengths lie in the depth of their lyrics. Even at a concert, you don't need to jump up and down to enjoy it.
Safo hss a new style as he's taking up the mantle........Don't be shy to come out with your real age if you been asked..Music carrier is not like Ghanaian soccer carrier.... You're in good hands 🙌 ..
Thanks Kofi TV, kudos to Sark, I just watched the video, after watching finding more about newman and I watched it bcos of Sarkodie... I first skipped it but was curious to listen, knowing Sark doesn't accept featuring any artist. I love the song.
These bloggers including Kofi will not allow this guy to harness his talent but would force him to the limelight quickly. It is better to work in silence. Blacko came out when he his production line-upped. Please link him to producers and not profit from him through interviews.
The song goes beyond the family lifestyle. We live in a country where the resources are for the good of all the masses but the few privileged ones are the ones enjoying it. The rest of us are made to do the donkey jobs during elections whilst their own children who don't partake in those donkey jobs are the ones enjoying them. Meanwhile, these same leaders are the Muslims, the Christians, and the traditionalists who are found in the various churches, mosques and the shrines
Sad that these charlatans can do this with impunity what right had that man got to pay the police to imprison him . He has lost weight. Ghana is lawless
He looks like Nana Agyemang oo of Araba fame 😊 (Auntie Araba ee bra oo, Araba.......Auntie Araba ee bra oo, Araba.....Auntie Araba b3sen ma y3n k) na me ponk) p3 nt3m💃) 🎵 🎵
True bro, the way and manner he’s reluctant to praise Sark de33 I’m shocked. He’s been saying quality song sells itself forgetting that Sark is the pillar behind his trend now. He should wise up
He acknowledges people who supported him when he was not popular than those who came in after his Akokoa Sark has done well, but this guy sees those who gave him food at the studio 🎙 as the true supporters
True bro, the way and manner he’s reluctant to praise Sark de33 I’m shocked. He’s been saying quality song sells itself forgetting that Sark is the pillar behind his trend now. He should wise up
From the look on his face he is 36 years. He should look at BISA kdei concept of metamfo video to bring good music video. He shouldn't take time because he is now on heat
