5 Nigerian contemporary songs that could pass as awesome poems

Despite the fact that we have so many horrible songs nowadays, there are still countless Nigerian songs that are poetic, deep and very touching.

However, most of these songs, when stripped of their instrumentals, may not hold up so well as serious poetry.

What songs do you feel, on paper, could pass for poetry so much so that a reputable publishing company would want to acquire and distribute them regardless of the identity of the author?

Just to get things started, here are a few of my personal choices:

1. Crowd Mentality by M.I

"There are people walking around just like zombies And it's so strange, how people are afraid of change Afraid of what would happen if we re-arrange So most Black people are just doing what the crowd do Doing what the system say, that we're allowed to So break free from the crowd mentality And then we can start to build a new reality."

2. Purple Jar by Brymo

"I'll take the memories, The car and the purple jar

Tell everyone that I'm gone I burnt the bridges down

I'll keep my shoes on"

3. Moving On by Asa

"I had to run away and hideSomething happened in the middleOf the nightI came inside without a soundSuddenly my life was turning upside downAll that I could feel was painAnd strangers came and took my soul awayLike a deadly hurricaneI know my life would never be the same"

4. I Wish by Waje

"I wish I didn’t have such a needy breaky heartThat when it comes to love they say na me dey carry last"

5. Joy by Wizkid

"In the early 90sThat was the beginningMama had meShe was definitely smilingFinally a boyShe was very very happyShe called me graceShe called me blessingShe looked into my eyesCalled me love of her life"

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I have selected the poems on this post strictly for the beauty of their words and creativity; there may be other songs that are more philosophical, more innovative, etc.

Feel free to suggest them via Instagram or Twitter.