A Review of Tekno’s “Rara”

 

Song Title: Rara

Artiste: Tekno

Type: Single

Genre: Afrobeat

Duration: 4 minutes, 01 second

Producer: Selebobo

Year Released: December, 2016

Reviewer: Desmond Okon                                               

A reviewer once said that Tekno has dropped a new hit song. “Not just that, it’s got a strong message!” he exclaimed.

This goes to show that for a long time, since Fela passed on and Eedris Abdulkareem kept mute, there hasn’t been a song with a message rocking the media space –talk more of one with a strong and clear message. Tekno has broken the jinx of “message-less” and empty songs –and this makes it standout as a delectable hit song. The piece exudes a deja vu of the heydays when music championed a course and keeps you trapped in it as Tekno takes you through the plight of the nation and the brazen disappointments of the leaders.

The major flaw in this song is Tekno’s reference to NEPA. Nigeria no longer transacts with NEPA. The contract was terminated long ago (though NEPA is now accepted as a word used describe electricity distribution companies in Nigeria)

Although the musical jargons –“agbada”, “jangbaja”, “gbangban”, “molagbada”, “pem”, infused adds to the flow and dynamism of the song, it could be seen by some listeners as lacking meaning.

Again what one may find difficult to grasp is how the line: “Oluwa wey dey bless me “amen” Shey e go bless you too “amen.” Bless your papa oh “amen.” Bless your mama oh “amen.” ” relates to the advocacy message of the song.

Besides these excusable lapses, Tekno is daring. His sharp comments to targeted to leaders proves this.

In the song, he grabbed the attention of his audience (including leaders) by addressing them as “my county people” at the inception of high-lighting the failings of the system. This is the pidgin version of “fellow Nigerians” –an attention grabbing technique often employed by politician during speeches. Here, Tekno poses as a speaker who tells the people that every year the story remains the same. Hence, he sings, “Them dey talku talku, them just dey parambulate. Na so so story, story every year oh ah.”

Tekno (whose real name is Augustine Miles Kelechi) did not stop there. He proceeds to tackling the deplorable state of the country from different but obvious dimensions; first taking a swipe at power outage and the dangers of noise pollution and says, “NEPA no bring light oh ah. Generator wan tear my ear oh oh oh,” while also pointing out the congenital greed in the minds of folks appointed or elected into power as well reminding his “country people” of the unwillingness (if not incompetence) of leaders to execute projects. “Plenty greedy men for there oh oh oh, take project oh, forget na the matter,” says Tekno.

Of course like every speaker, the Pana crooner suggests possible solutions to the country’s unending woes by simply telling them to “forget about the big things oh, say make we talk about the small thing oh.” Showing that the country does not necessarily need huge and monumental projects but basic amenities: stable electricity, good roads and good infrastructural facilities to move forward. Simple!

Corruption and endemic systemic theft were not spared from his issues. He talks about the stealing and stacking of money in foreign banks by leaders and urges them (politicians) to “spend the money for our country to make it a better place”. Tekno sings, “them pack our money oh, take it to other nation. Invest for your country oh make it a better place. Spend the money for your country oh, make it a better place.”

The single “Rara” (meaning 'no') is good music which presents diverse but unisolated situations that everyone can relate to, especially the youths. For instance, youths of this dispensation live a tech-lifestyle with an aversion for going offline. Similarly, many people flee the country. While others nurse the desire to, those who come back do not spend much time at home. So, Tekno captures this situation thus: “I go obodo oyibo, I go dey hurry to come back oh. And when I come back oh, I go dey hurry to go back oh. I no get charge oh, my phone don die. No fuel for generator oh, everyday situation.”

Tekno has done well in message delivery combining Afrobeat rhythm with short Pidgin English phrases presented crisply to further accentuate the genre. Also, the short shouts heard at intervals in the background contributes to the harmony of the piece.

This is a song anyone can listen to without fear of vulgarity.

With a track like this, Tekno has challenged the status quo and has shown that artistes could still choose to make a difference with music, not just to preach boobs and butts. And guess what,… he has given his audience value for their dance.