After listening to a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter Azeez Adeshina Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley based on his tour of the United States, Media Career Development specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin recalls his first time in the US.
After I wrote two songs inspired articles, Let Nothing Kill Your Journalism Vibes, based on Ayra Starr’s Bloody Samaritan, and Wizkid’s Ojuelegba, I remember my journalism story, another musician some people have somehow dared me to try next is the Marlian King, Naira Marley.
Knowing the kind of raunchy lyrics Marley sings, I was not sure whether I wanted to take the challenge, but I still had a feeling that I could just find a safe song to write about.
Luckily for me, the first song that came up when I searched for songs by Marley was his new single, ‘First Time in America’, he released after a tour of the United States.
First time in America
Disturbing America
(Yo Rexxie pon-dis-one)
First time in America (repeat)
I could easily relate with Marley on the focus of the song as I also had recollections of my first trip to the so-called ‘God’s own country which I would like to write about. It was very memorable, though I did not disturb America.
Disturbing America
Disturbing the World
(Marlian no dey hear word)
First time in America
(but na Marlians dey rule the world)
Disturbing America
The first time I visited America, Washington, specifically, for a journalism conference, was in 2001. I had a chance of disturbing America but I opted to return to Nigeria and be glad that I survived a dog bite.
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
What really happened? Dog bite scare in America? Yes!
I was on that same lonely road which I have been passing through to the Maryland train station en route Washington to meet the incumbent Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, in his Voice of America office, where he was the Head of Hausa Service when a dog suddenly showed up and ran after me.
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
First time in America
Disturbing America
I ran into the middle of the lonely road with no vehicle or person in sight except my laptop bag as my only protection from the barking dog, trying to pounce on me.
“Jesus, Jesus,” I shouted, trying to call for help as I was confused about what to do to ward off the dog. Suddenly, a car driven by a woman, who said she doesn’t normally drive through the road, drove towards the dog to scare it from coming near me.
By then, the owner of the dog had ran out of her building to call the dog to order and stop it from attacking me. The driver waved to me to enter beside her. With the dog now restrained, I jumped inside in panting.
Having sure of my safety with the door locked, the lady driver took on the dog owner, accusing her of being careless. Pulling her dog away, the owner tried to offer an explanation which my rescuer and I were not interested in hearing.
I was just glad to get away without a dog bite or any sad development that would have prevented me from flying out the next day as scheduled.
My decision was like Marley’s reaction to Xenophobia in South Africa
Touch down South Africa (touch down South Africa)
Xenophobia (Xenophobia)
Mo ya speedometer (mo ya speedometer)
Mo ya jaapa wa Nigeria
“If the dog had bitten you, you would have sued the owner. You can even sue her for the trauma the dog caused you. You can press some charges if you get a good lawyer,” some of my friends suggested.
No way. I was not interested in any drama to disturb America like Marley. But for the dog bite scare, I was glad to see America live for the first time. I enjoyed the conference I attended and the train rides. I loved the sights and the sounds.
Marley had no dog bite scare; he was all over the place and must have had fun with the ladies as he did in Jamaica, Cameron and other places. He recounted his first time in those countries but he still disturbed America and sang about it. Just imagine it was Marley that had the dog scare.
Disturbing America (disturbing America)
Disturbing America (disturbing America)
First time in America (first time in America)
Disturbing America (disturbing America)
