Music Review: Ayewada by Naira Marley

Ayewada is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter, Naira Marley. It is one of the songs in his album titled “God’s timing is the best.”

“Ayewada?” is a Yoruba word in Nigeria that translates to “Where is the space,” in English.

What is the meaning of the song Ayewada by Naira Marley?

Naira Marley in the song “Ayewada?” is telling the world that there is no space for a hypocritical person around him. He also says there’s no space for people who only love to stick around during good times, but, quickly disappear during bad or tough times. He says there’s no time or space to accommodate those that are not in the “Marlian Clique or vehicle,” because, the vehicle is already filled up.

He also talks about people taking a swipe at him for his vulgar songs. He takes a swipe back at these people. He says they also love to hear vulgar songs, and that’s why they get to know about his songs. 

What do you all think?

Here is Ayewada Lyrics Translation by Naira Marley

Intro

Marlians

Ge-ge, go-go

Hmm, hmm

Yo

Verse 1

Aye wa, ko s’oro (Aye wa, ko s’oro) (There is space, but there’s no speech)

Oro wa, ko s’aye (Oro wa, ko s’aye) (There’s speech, but, there is no space.)

Aye die t’otu ku (Aye die t’otu ku) (The little space that’s left)

O’un ni fun awon Marlians (O’un ni fun awon Marlians) (It is for the Marlians.)

Won pe’wo l’ole (Won pe’wo l’ole) (They are calling you a thief.)

O tun lo ‘n gb’omo eran jo (O tun lo ‘n gb’omo eran jo) (You are now dancing with a baby goat (kid))

They’re calling you “thief” (They’re calling you “thief”)

You’re dancing with a goat (You’re dancing with ime)

Chorus

Ayewada? (Ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Omo’ba, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara oh) (King’s child, where is the space? There is no space at all.)

Ayewada? (Ayewa’) (Where’s the space?)

Omo eru, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Slave, where is the space? There’s no space at all)

Ayewada? (Ayewada?) (Where’s the space?)

Omo ase, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Novice, where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Ayewada? (ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Ayewa’, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Verse 2

Won ni ‘n ma so’sokuso (Won ni ‘n ma so’sokuso) (They said I should not say vulgar words)

T’emi ba so’sokuso (T’emi ba so’sokuso) (But, if I am saying vulgar words.)

That’s to say (Ehn-ehn) 

(That means)

Eyin ma gbo ‘gbokugbo (Eyin ma gbo ‘gbokugbo) (You people always listen to vulgarity words)

Eti yin o ni di (Eti yin o ni di) (You won’t go deaf.)

Oju yin o ni fo (Oju yin o ni fo) (You won’t go blind.)

Sheb’emi mo ko Mafo (I was the one that sang “Mafo.”

Emi mo tun ko Japa (Emi mo tun ko Japa) (I also sang “Japa.”)

Nibo le wa? (Ehn-ehn) (Where were you?)

Nigba t’awa yi ‘n suffer (Nigba t’awa yi n suffer) (When we were suffering.)

Igba t’owo wa wa (Ehn-ehn) (When there is now money.)

Won wa tun fe pada wa (won wa tun fe pada wa) (They now want to return.)

Ati mura wa, ati pe (Pe, pe) (We have picked ourselves, and, we are complete.)

Yo!

Motor ti kun (Kun) (The vehicle is full)

Wonma tun sope ki ‘n sun (And, they said I should shift)

Se ki ‘n sun, ki ‘n lo shubu? (Se ki ‘n sun, ki ‘n lo shubu?) (Should I shift till I fall?)

Chorus

Ayewada? (Ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Omo’ba, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara oh) (King’s child, where is the space? There is no space at all.)

Ayewada? (Ayewa’) (Where’s the space?)

Omo eru, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Slave, where is the space? There’s no space at all)

Ayewada? (Ayewada?) (Where’s the space?)

Omo ase, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Novice, where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Ayewada? (ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Ayewa’, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Verse 3

Ojo iku l’oju isinmi (Ojo iku l’oju isinmi) (It is when death comes that one rests.)

Emi ma j’aiye ku ni (Emi ma j’aiye ku ni) (I will enjoy life to the fullest.)

J’aiye ku ni (Ye) (Enjoy life to the fullest.)

Emi ma j’aiye ku ni (Emi ma j’aiye ku ni) (I will enjoy life to the fullest.)

No lapping, no plus one (Plus one)

No pushing l’odo wa (Odo wa) (There is no pushing on our side.)

No more space, ayewada? (No more space, where is the space?)

No space, no time

Oro tio fa’ja (Fa’ja) (The matter doesn’t warrant a fight.)

Where is the space? (Space)

You know me from back in the days (You know me from back in the days)

Where was you back in the days? (where was you back in the days?)

When I was running the race (When I was running the race)

Me no look dem face (I don’t look at their face.)

Me said dem-dem ah hypocrite (I said they are hypocrites.)

Ole, l’everybody (Everybody us a thief.)

That’s why me no look dem face (That’s why I don’t look at their faces.)

Chorus/Outro

Ayewada? Heyss (Ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Omo’ba, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara oh) (King’s child, where is the space? There is no space at all.)

Ayewada? (Ayewa’) (Where’s the space?)

Omo eru, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Slave, where is the space? There’s no space at all)

Ayewada? (Ayewada?) (Where’s the space?)

Omo ase, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Novice, where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Ayewada? (ayewa’) (Where is the space?)

Ayewa’, ayewada? (Ko s’aye rara) (Where’s the space? There is no space at all)

Yo

Yo Rexxie pon this one!

Watch the video for the song “Ayewada,” by Naira Marley below

Duration: 2 minutes 41 seconds