If ever a message was to put across strongly the return of Jesus Christ, then Infinity’s “Olorioko” more than does the job. In living out our quotidian existence, it is easy to forget that we are only sojourners in the world and are one day going to return to our final homes to answer for our lives here on earth. The message of the song is simple: The Master is Coming Back; and the sub-message- You Have Been Warned, Be Prepared.
The first time I should have seen the video of the song and indeed listened to it, I dozed off while watching the Top Ten Nigerian Videos Countdown on Sound City. The song was apparently the number one song for that week, and I could not stay awake long enough to see it. I gave my dad a lot of flack for not waking me up. I was determined that it would not repeat itself. So the next Friday, I well-nigh taped my eyes wide open, and boy was it worth it!!! Two things strike you when you see the video. The first is that the video appeals to the artist in everyone of us- A far cry from Tony Tetuila’s ‘Two Women’ where all that was required was a cameraman filming a bunch of people in a club. The picture quality, concept, costumes, melody…etc. was exquisite. Nigerians have for a while now been denied such quality- whether it is as a result of a dearth in talent, ideas, or plain grit is not exactly clear. But whatever it is, Infinity definitely has it in abundance.
Secondly and perhaps more importantly is the resuscitation of culture. I am Yoruba and have always believed that I could get by in the language. However, shame on me, I had to ask my parents to translate a lot of what he was saying. Such richness! Such wisdom! Such potency! This, and a recent lunchtime palaver with colleagues made me determine my kids will speak Yoruba with all the nuances, so help me God.
And at the end of it all, the message is clear yiyo t’ekun yo, ki ma n se t’ojo literally translated to mean that the skulking of the tiger should by no means be mistaken for cowardice. That God has not struck does not mean he is unable. We would do well to keep this in mind.
The first time I should have seen the video of the song and indeed listened to it, I dozed off while watching the Top Ten Nigerian Videos Countdown on Sound City. The song was apparently the number one song for that week, and I could not stay awake long enough to see it. I gave my dad a lot of flack for not waking me up. I was determined that it would not repeat itself. So the next Friday, I well-nigh taped my eyes wide open, and boy was it worth it!!! Two things strike you when you see the video. The first is that the video appeals to the artist in everyone of us- A far cry from Tony Tetuila’s ‘Two Women’ where all that was required was a cameraman filming a bunch of people in a club. The picture quality, concept, costumes, melody…etc. was exquisite. Nigerians have for a while now been denied such quality- whether it is as a result of a dearth in talent, ideas, or plain grit is not exactly clear. But whatever it is, Infinity definitely has it in abundance.
Secondly and perhaps more importantly is the resuscitation of culture. I am Yoruba and have always believed that I could get by in the language. However, shame on me, I had to ask my parents to translate a lot of what he was saying. Such richness! Such wisdom! Such potency! This, and a recent lunchtime palaver with colleagues made me determine my kids will speak Yoruba with all the nuances, so help me God.
And at the end of it all, the message is clear yiyo t’ekun yo, ki ma n se t’ojo literally translated to mean that the skulking of the tiger should by no means be mistaken for cowardice. That God has not struck does not mean he is unable. We would do well to keep this in mind.
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