Africa BaBa from Africa BaBa by Owelu Dreamhouse

‘Africa BaBa was the second song we wrote together. It draws on our shared love of UK rapper Little Simz.‘Stylistically, it’s a mixed bag of cinematic, afro-psych, rock vibes. I loved the first time Nkechi sang that long "Looooooooooovveeeeee” note. Now, whenever other people hear it, their ears perk up and switch on to that moment.’ - Nic Ryan-Glenie

'Africa BaBa was the catalyst for my songwriting and musical resurgence. I felt confident in what I had to say, and how I wanted to say it. Reflecting on the way black women are talked about, the line between masculine and feminine is often blurred (often not by us). The lyrics “I just want to be loved by you” come from wanting to hold that part of my identity and celebrate the space many others belong in, too. I originally wrote this to be sung by a man and a woman, but the more we listened back, the more badass it felt for me to take up both identities.’ - Nkechi Anele

Tracklist

1.	Africa BaBa	4:31

Lyrics

VERSE ONE

If I be a man
Just be a man
And be the man that I want to be
Can you

If I want to be a man
Just be a man
Can I be a man with you?

This world is hard
(hard)
This world is cool
(cool)
I want to be
(be)
Able to

LOVE
(I just want to love
I just want to be loved by you) x2

VERSE TWO

If I want to stay
Will you let me stay
To be by your side all the time?

If I have to be the stronger one
It won’t be fun and I
Know I don’t lie

‘Coz this world can be so raw
(roar)
And this world is cruel
(cruel)
And I’m trying to brave the war
(bomb, bomb, bomb)
Just for me and you
(you)

BRIDGE

Don’t need to understand
I’m an African
And I
Just want to be loved…

(YEAH)

I’m an African
(woman, woman)
Yeah…

(YEAH)

I’m an African
(oh-yeh, oh-yeh)

And I
Just want to be loved…

Do do do…

Just take me as I am

Yes I will understand

I know I’m in demand

(I just want to be loved by you
I just want to love
I just want to be loved by)

Do do do
(I just want to be loved by you
I just want to love
I just want to be loved by you)

Do do do
(I just want to be loved by you
I just want to love
I just want to be loved by)

Do do do
(I just want to be loved by you
I just want to love
I just want to be loved by you)

I’m an African
I’m a woman

Credits

from Africa BaBa, track released August 16, 2024
Composers
N. Anele.& N. Ryan-Glenie

License