Where In The United States Does The Custom Of Pinning Birthday Dollars Occur And Who Does It?

Nola.com, Oct 15, 2018 Why do people in New Orleans pin cash to themselves on their birthdays? On this edition of Louisianswers, the Latitude by NOLA.com team looks into where this tradition comes from. ****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents a compilation of internet comments about the custom of pinning birthday dollars with a focus on where and in which populations this custom has occurred in the United States.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.   
Thanks to the producer/s and publisher of this embedded video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on the custom of pinning birthday dollars.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinning-birthday-dollars.html and http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-custom-of-wearing-birthday-dollars.html for two previous pancocojams posts in this series. Also, click the "spraying money" tag below for pancocojams posts about the West African custom that I believe is one of the main sources for the African American version of the custom of pinning birthday dollars.****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
As this embedded video indicates, pinning birthday dollars is probably an adaptation of the Nigerian (and some other West African nations) custom of spraying (showering) money on certain people as a symbol of good fortune and/or appreciation.  In the United States, the custom of pinning birthday dollars may also come from the other traditions that are mentioned in the video that is embedded in this pancocojams post. It's interesting that this video doesn't mention the theory that the custom of pinning birthday dollars comes from the Cajun people of Louisiana.

That said, from the online comments that I've read, it certainly appears that in the United States the custom of pinning birthday dollars mostly occurs among African Americans. However, this doesn't mean that all African Americans are familiar with and/or have ever performed this custom. 

I'm African American and I have no experience with this custom in New Jersey, including the cities in South Jersey and North Jersey where I lived or frequented (Atlantic City; East Orange; Newark). I also have only vague recollections of seeing people with dollars pinned to their outfits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I've lived since 1969. I don't know anyone in Pittsburgh or anywhere else who practices this tradition of pinning dollars to outfits for birthdays or for any other ocassions,

However, my daughter who was born and raised in Pittsburgh and still lives here indicates that she is somewhat familiar with this custom as she has seen some Black people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (particularly women) wearing dollars pinned to the top of their outfits at Black nightclubs in Pittsburgh since the 1990s. She also recalls recently seeing a Black child in Pittsburgh wearing birthday dollars at an Urban Air indoor trampoline play venue.   ****
The compilation in this pancocojams post includes one comment that briefly notes that the commenter's friend from Pittsburgh wasn't familiar with the custom of pinning birthday dollars until she moved to Texas. (Online Source #2, comment #5). I'm presuming that "Pittsburgh" refers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
****
The comment section of this post included links to three videos of an African American senior citizens "hand dance" group from the DMV (Washington D. C., Maryland, Virginia area) that show birthday celebrants wearing pinned dollars on the top of their outfits.
****This compilation isn't meant to be all inclusive.
Please add to this list of where the custom of pinning dollars occurs in the United States and who celebrates/celebrated this custom by sharing your comments below. Thanks! 
****SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC
These online sources are quoted in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.ONLINE SOURCE #1
From https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/ "Why we get a bunch of money pinned on our shirts when its our birthday"  Thread starter Carielle, Start date Apr 19, 2022 [total # of comments: 92]

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: Almost all the members of lipstickalley.com are African American women. https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/is-it-true-that-a-black-man-started-this-forum.3534181/

1. OctoberBlu, Apr 19, 2022
"I don't  know where it came from, but I'm from Texas and we do it here."

**
2. Carielle, Apr 19, 2022
"LoveSupreme said:

“Why we get a bunch of money pinned on our shirts when it's our birthday?”​
Who is “we?” Never heard of this in my life!

I would say we as in us blk people, but i also see white down here doing it too.

[This comment includes three photographs of people with dollars pinned to their outfits, including a now iconic photograph of an elderly Black man with lots of dollars pinned to the front of his suit.] swearing birpx...]

Maybe it's just a Louisiana & Tx thing".

**

3. MsBIGChoc, Apr 19, 2022 
"In Florida and black people do it here"
**
4. Noladebby, Apr 19, 2022
"…I've only seen Blacks here in New Orleans do this. I didn't even think other people did this in other States."
**
5. HIATUSSS, Apr 19, 2022
"Texas native here. We do this, young and old lol literal strangers will give you a dollar to pin to your shirt.."

**
6. Granny Gray, April 19, 2022
"Never heard of it. I grew up in NC. Never saw it in VA, TN, SC, or GA. It sounds like an African tradition."

**
7. Jazzie T, Apr 19, 2022
"We do it in Tennessee too. Don't know where it came from and why but it's always funny to see."

**
8. Hi5Perry, Apr 19, 2022
"I'm in FL & I've never seen this done"

**
9. DreamyEyes, Apr 19, 2022
"People do this in Mississippi and Alabama too."
**
10.Gudetama1992, Apr 19, 2022
"We did this in Mississippi too!"

****
11. Misty Cannon, April 19, 2022
"I'’m from Florida and we used to do this in middle and high school. I guess it’s just a little inside thing. We only did it at school tho"

**
12. CarterWT, April 19, 2022
"We do here in TX"

**
13. Chocolate Sugar,Apr 19, 2022
"In my West African country - pinning/throwing money is done at weddings (for the bride/groom and griots) and baby naming ceremonies (for the women who are managing all of the cooking/cleaning/tidying up/etc. throughout the event).

It’s seen as a blessing (and also saves everyone time from buying physical gifts lol).

I’ve also experienced this living in the DMV on one of my birthdays, but it was a regulars spot and come to find out that’s their tradition for anyone celebrating birthdays that they know. Sweet gesture."
-snip-
"DMV" is an informal abbreviation for the Washington , D.C, Maryland, Virginia area.
**
14. xxnEKbo, Apr 19, 2022
"Am from the south (La.) too and love this tradition. I stopped doing it when I turned 21 a couple years ago, but the pin money I got that day stretched! It’s such a fun tradition. Reading through the thread..I am shocked that others haven’t ever done this. Must really be a southern thing. Love that for us."
-snip-
"La" = Louisiana  (not "LA" which means Los Angeles, California.

**
15. Priceless Peer, Apr 19, 2022
"Shoot, back when I used to run the streets I did this in the club in ATL and got much money."
-snip-
"ATL" = Atlanta, Georgia

**
https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/page-2

16. LaDela, Apr 19, 2022
"My family has done it in Ohio and Texas. I’m curious as to how it started too."
**
17. Letscook11, Apr 19, 2022
"My family has deep roots in Louisiana. We live in Ohio but I grew up doing this.

**
18. Bloomers, Apr 19, 2022
"I haven't seen this done since my middle/high school days. Don't really see adults doing it. I'm in GA."
-snip-
"GA" = Georgia

**
19. xxxBDSMxxx, Apr 19, 2022
"i doubt this started in africa since africa used shells, cattle, goats, iron, gold, fabric, etc.. but they did not used banknotes or parchments as currency that came with the europeans.

here in the Bama primarily the black belt it has a real defined meaning it's called "Pin da Chile" and only children can be pinned boys stop being pinned at 12 and girls when they start their period. You supposed to pin the child only for 24 hours starting when the child was born and the money collected is to be "blessed" and "banked" the child can't spend the money or the parents the money is given when the child is up of aged, when the boy is 13 and girl when she starts her period. All the money collected before and after is the 24 hrs is not considered the "blessing" also any money the child found that year and all their years as a child is not to be spent as well but "banked".
-snip-
"the Bama" = Alabama

**
20. DZA, Apr 19, 2022
"I don't know why - if I had to guess, it's because it's like a symbol of blessings? I've mostly seen it being done for kids.

For adults, I've seen it done for bride-to-be's during their bachelorette celebrations and even on their wedding days."

**
30. Nap Nap, Apr 19, 2022
"It's done here in Mississippi, too. I always wondered where it started from."

**
31. Gavin Malachi, Apr 19, 2022
"My maternal family has roots in South Carolina and we do this"

**
32. GiaStacks, Apr 19, 2022
"We do it here in Detroit! Kids, Teenagers, Adults! If it’s your bday, pin some money on you you’ll have random people giving you money all day! We do the necklace too!

It’s my birthday, gimme some money!"

**
33. :Axel:, Apr 19, 2022
"Florida checking in and this is really common. I just assumed it was black tradition. Not everyone did but a large percentage"

**
34. BellaLyfe, Apr 19, 2022
"Im from texas and this is a common thing among blk folks. Im not sure why."

**
35. MelodyHolt, Apr 19, 2022
"I’m from Indy. We did this. I haven’t seen anyone do this in the last 10 years tho."...
-snip-
"Indy" = Indiana

**
36. Hi5Perry, Apr 19, 2022
..." This money thing seems like a tradition among Black & white people from Louisiana. People migrate & bring their traditions with them so that's probably why some non-LA people do it or have seen it"

**
37. Beeza, Apr 20, 2022
"It originated in southern Louisiana"

**
38. dreamy fairy, Apr 20, 2022
"never seen this in caribbean background. i never rlly got presents wrapped etc, mostly money just not pinned on clothes."

**
39. MysteriousMW, Apr 20, 2022
"I’m from Ohio and we do it, my folks (great grandparents) from Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolin"

**

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/page-3

40.  90s fine, April 20, 2022
"I’m from TN, we do it in my end ( East).

One of my coworkers received a total of $100.00 pinned to her shirt.

My other coworker was even getting money pinned by guests, not just those of us at work.

The older people in my family get money pins.

I’ve seen some kids get money pins at their birthday party.

Since west TN is closer to LA and TX I’d be shocked if they don’t do it, when we do it on our end."

**
41. jaipea, Apr 20, 2022
"This is an old tradition from somewhere. I'm from Kansas and I've seen it done here for milestone birthdays, graduations and weddings."

**
43. foreverflop, Apr 20, 2022
"I’ve lived on the East and West coasts, in the Midwest and in the South. I’ve never seen or heard of this before.

I’m letting everyone know they owe me retro pay!"

**
44.  Romedy2000, April 20, 2022
"Midwest does it too"

**
45. koop, Apr 20, 2022
"WE DO it HERE IN GA... but I dont I just always thought it looked crazy especially on these big 40 year old plus people"

**
46. Ntsap, April 20, 2022
"Granny Gray said:

Never heard of it. I grew up in NC. Never saw it in VA, TN, SC, or GA. It sounds like an African tradition.

I live and go to school in two of these states and have been seeing it since I was a little kid. Seems to be a southern thing."

**
46. Iron_Dolly, Apr 20, 2022
"I'm from Louisiana and never really thought about the origin. One thing is for certain. It's a Black thing whether regional or not even if you haven't seen it. Only white people doing this are copying off us."

**
47. elanoire, Apr 21, 2022
"I’ve lived a few states down south-Only ever saw it on a child in atlanta."

****

ONLINE SOURCE #2
From https://www.facebook.com/OonkasBoonkas/posts/10152321751568172 Oonkas Boonkas, June 26, 2014  
"The Cajun Tradition of pinning money onto the birthday boy or girl is the most prevalent among African Americans with it being at it's highest concentration in New Orleans.

This is an old New Orleans tradition. This is not a “new” ritual at least not to those of us from New Orleans. The first time it happened to me a French Quarter chef pinned a $20 note on me said happy Birthday and gave me a kiss I didn't know what to do.

And, although it’s roots are in the black community, everyone in NOLA celebrates with this tradition if they are so inclined. It doesn’t matter what color you are! We are a gumbo of people in NOLA who truly assimilate and appreciate each others culture, i.e. jazz, creole cooking, etc...."

Comments:
1. Tony Stanton, 2015
"I have that photo of the gentleman with the money..I bought it on Frenchman street Tawan Stanton"
-snip-
This comment and the replies refer to a now iconic photograph of an elderly Black man with lots of birthday dollars pinned to his suit jacket. This photograph is also a part of the comment given as #3 in Online Source #1.

**
Reply
2. Oonkas Boonkas, 2018
"You are so lucky to have this photo. Uncle Lionel was a true gentleman, dressing to the nines as he used to sasha down Royal Street but most importantly he was a talented musical legend."

**
Reply
3. Sarah Spangler,2022
"Yes, your picture is of Lionel Batiste (late), uncle of Grammy winner John. That family is highly respected and has deep roots in New Orleans music scene."

**
4. Johnny Silva, 2019
"Latinos have been doing this in San Antonio, Texas and South texas for decades. Wasn't sure where it originated from."

**
Reply
5. Johnny Silva, 2019
"My girlfriend, who moved to Texas from Pittsburgh, had never heard about this tradition. She finally experienced it on her bday weekend at our hangout. 🙂"

**
Reply
6. Lis Perez, 2019
"Johnny Silva Michigan....some of us here participated in this"

**
Reply
7. Jennifer Bussiere, 2019
"I grew up mostly in Erie PA..( I wonder how the tradition has migrated to here to both non African American and African American but non creole roots ??)in grade school ( small private Catholic )I saw this and then more recently I've seen this sporadically when I've gone out to neighborhood bars..I alwsys wondered and find history of social customs very interesting..thanks for your post"

**
Reply
8. Nandi A. Crawford, 2019
"We do this in Mobile, Alabama as well. I remember when my father died in May, 2007, and at the funeral, one of the young members had a birthday pin, and since I had money they gave me, I took out some $$ for him. If I have it, I'll give it to pin on you. Now I moved to Mobile as a teen, but it's a great gesture. Remind me a bit of partner."

**
9. Travis Cochran,2022
"Folks do this in north east texas( on or near the LA. Line). Thanks for the history leson. It was a very interesting read.."

****
ONLINE SOURCE #3
From https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60864-i34-k6516709-o10-Has_anyone_ever_done_the_pin_a_dollar_to_your_shirt_thing-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html Has anyone ever done the "pin a dollar to your shirt" thing? [in the “New Orleans topic” section]

1. Re: Has anyone ever done the "pin a dollar to your shirt" thing?, 2013
"Locals all know what it means. Not just a New Orleans thing, I have seen it done in Arkansas. Not sure how widespread it is, the whole Deep South or just a couple of states. It is a fun custom."
-snip-
No comments were posted in response to this comment.
****
ONLINE SOURCE #4 
From https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060824102245AAlarf6 What's up with pinning dollar bills to your shirt on your birthday? [August 2, 2023: This page is no longer active]
" Question:
"What's the story behind pinning dollar bills to your shirt on your birthday? Do people do this any other time, or all the time? How many dollars are you supposed to pin to yourself? Apparently it's a black person thing popular in schools. I've only seen one person do it, but other people have mentioned it and we couldn't figure out why people would do something that silly.

Update: Do you provide your own cash, or do you try to persuade others to donate?"
-no name given, 2007
1. "It's not a black thing. It's a "people that can use a little extra cash thing". They used to do it when I lived in Houston, but I moved to a nicer neighborhood and they don't do that anymore. See? It's also a way of giving people a chance to give you a birthday present if they haven't already. When I was in Houston, your friends would decorate the first bill with markers, and it went on top."
**
2. bornagain, 2007
"It's a form of gift giving. They do this at wedding, birthdays and other celebrations. And it's not just a black thing. My family does it and we're asian. No, you don't provide your own bills, your guests give the money willingly.

Source(s):
my family"
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Congolese Sebene (Seben) Music & Dance (videos and information)

label Jeericho, Jun 20, 2015 Nouveau titre de ferre Gola à découvrir !!! -snip- Google translate from French to English: "New title of ferre Gola to discover!!!" total # of views as of Sept. 9, 2022 at 10:12 AM ET = 4,052,000 ****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases fIve videos of Congolese Sebene (also known as "Seben") music and dance.

This post also presents information about Sebene music.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, educational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who helped create Congolese Sebene music and dance. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/09/five-youtube-videos-of-congolese.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Five YouTube Videos Of Congolese Soukous Gospel Music (with some information about Soukous music)".

**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Sebene Music Congolese By Jonathan TSHITAMBA



JSS Records, Nov 4, 2016 

Celebrating 4 years as a young musician
-snip-
Total # of views as of September 9, 2022 at   AM ET = 749,922

**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3:  ASAPH DU CIEL - La Louange des aigles (CLIP OFFICIEL)

Asaph du Ciel, Jan 10, 2017

Pasteur Asaph du ciel -snip-
This is an example of Sebene Gospel music. This video has a total # of 25,369,656 views as of September 7, 2022 at 10:05 AM ET. **** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4: Auguy Nyembo - SEBEN CONGO au studio.(Official Video)

Augustin Nyembo Official, Dec 26, 2019  Une séance d’enregistrement avec les amis [Google translate from French to English: "A recording session with friends"]

Drum & Percussion : Auguy Nyembo

Guitar: Alfred solo

Bass: Jim Bass -snip- # of views as of September 9, 2022 at 11:15 AM ET= 182,085 -snip- Here are three comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only.] 1. Yinka Oluwole, 2020 "Whenever I listen to a soukous/makossa song, I always look forward to the guitar solo, I just love good seben guitar work...

In addition to that, I have ultimate respect for bass guitarists too, in my head I think of them like a father who puts his son(the solo guitar) on a bicycle and say "Go ahead son, be creative, have all the fun you want, but you can always trust that I won't let you fall cos I'm behind you all the time"..

Amazing work, fellas.. 👏🏾👏🏾 ** 2. Blessing Angel, 2020 "Ça c'est mon bassiste congolais. Bassiste de Michel Bakenda 🙏

Demeure béni big man" -snip- Google translate from French to English: "That's my Congolese bassist. Bassist of Michel Bakenda 🙏 Abide blessed big man"

** 3. Misheck Mudiayi, 2021 "Pure seben nice sound"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #5: Acceleration (SEBENE) Congolese Wedding Entrance | WAKALI

K.K.T Productions, Oct 1, 2020 

#WEDDINGENTRANCE#WAKALI#KKT -snip- Total # of views as of September 9, 2022 at 10:59 AM ET = 135,050 My guess is that "Acceleration" is the name of the group that performed this music.  Notice the custom that is shown in this video of "spraying" ("showering") the dancers with paper money. I think that this custom started in Nigeria, but it is done in a number of African nations. For instance, during wedding celebrations the bride and groom are sprayed with paper money and in the midst of their performances, singers are sprayed with paper money. **** SOME INFORMATION ABOUT SEBENE MUSIC These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only. Excerpt #1 From https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2018/12/the-roots-of-soukous Seben Heaven: The Roots of Soukous

Mapping the evolution of a defining Congolese sound, from Cuban origins through to its accelerated final form

 December 7, 2018 By Morgan Greenstreet
…."Congolese music had been popular across the African continent for over three decades before it made much of an impact in Europe. Early examples are often slow in tempo, featuring close harmony singing, bouncy light percussion and, perhaps most importantly, virtuosic guitar playing. This unique style of local popular music was simultaneously developed in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) and Brazzaville, the capital cities of the Belgian and French colonies on either side of the Malembo pool of the Congo river.

In the ’30s, local amateurs began taking inspiration from traditional music, French popular music and American jazz. Son cubano records heard floating through Radio Congo Belge, and imported physically on the G.V. series, played an especially key role. By the late ’40s local labels including Ngoma, Longingisa and Opika – all run by Greek immigrant entrepreneurs – began recording Congolese musicians and exporting their records internationally. The musicians often sang in phonetic Spanish or French, the language of the oppressor, but increasingly preferred Lingala, a trade language that crossed ethnic and regional barriers. Lingala has a sweetness and flexibility that lends itself to poetry which helped push the music far beyond the twin cities on river.

This music became known as rumba Congolaise because the imported records of Sexteto Habanero and Trio Matamoros were mislabeled rumba, an entirely different Afro-Cuban folkloric music. The influence of Cuban Son is clear on the massive hit “Marie Louise,” recorded in 1948 by Wendo Kolosoy and Henri Bowane. Bowane’s brief but energetic guitar solos hint at developments to come, invoking the sound of traditional likembe thumb pianos – best known worldwide as a mbira – and stringed instruments played across the region. In the bars of Kinshasa, Bowane reportedly stretched these solos into an extended dancing section, which became known locally as seben(e).

Once the seben arrived, there was no going back to the verse, similar to how the montuno functions in salsa music.

The prevailing theory is that the word seben entered Lingala at the same time as the acoustic guitar, introduced to the region by a community of sailors and dockworkers from Sierra Leone, Dahomey (now Benin) and Ghana, who came to the Congo basin in the ’20s and ’30s. Seventh chords were commonplace in their proto-Highlife, even barking out ”seven” to signal the musical changes in the solo section. The seben became more central to Congolese music as early pioneers reconfigured and revolutionized their relationship with the instruments in their hands.

[…]

Just as ‘Afrobeats’ today is used as an umbrella marketing term to promote different styles of popular African music to Western audiences, ‘soukous’ was chosen by Island Records producer Ben Mandelson and Togolese entrepreneur Richard Dick as the title of a 1982 compilation, Sound D'Afrique II: Soukous. The compilation included music from Mali and Cameroon alongside “Madeleina,” a tune off Pablo ‘Porthos’ Lubadika’s 1981 album Ma Coco, which had been a head-turner in Europe. The tempo is hot from beginning to end, with a steady kick underpinning sizzling hi-hats, and guitars that are bright as the midday sun..”…
-snip-
I added italics to these portions of this excerpt to highlight them.

Sebene (also given as "Seben") is found in both secular and religious Congolese music.

****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.definitions.net/definition/sebene#:~:text=Wikipedia-,Sebene,element%20of%20the%20Congolese%20rumba.
"Sebene

The Sebene is a kind of instrumental bridge typically executed on the electric guitar and is a characteristic element of the Congolese rumba. The development of the sebene in congolese music has been credited to both Franco Luambo, but it predates both of them with Congolese guitarist Henri Bowane being the reputed inventor in the 1940s. In the sebene, one or more guitarists repeat short phrases, while the lead player improvises around the theme."

****
Excerpt #3
From https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.738.1531&rep=rep1&type=pdf McGuinness, Sara E. (2011) Grupo Lokito: a practice-based investigation into contemporary links between Congolese and Cuban popular music. PhD Thesis. SOAS, University of London
[page] 19

…"T.2.2 Congolese Music

When talking about the structure of Congolese music there are two versions of the spelling for the term referring to last part of the song, the seben. I have chosen to spell the word ‘seben’. I have observed that older writings on Congolese music use ‘sebene’, which I believe must be a French spelling of the word. In a recent work on music-making in Kinshasa (White, 2008), Bob W. White opted for ‘seben’. I concur with White as ‘sebene’ is not a Lingala spelling of the word and, in my experience of working with Congolese musicians, communication has been in Lingala. Indeed several of the musicians have little or

[page] 20

no French. I have always heard the word pronounced ‘SE-ben’, with the emphasis slightly on the first syllable. In Lingala, ‘sebene’ would be pronounced ‘se-ben-ay’, which I have only heard in the 1948 recording of Marie Louise by Henri Bowane and Wendo Kolossoyi. The consensus among the modern-day Congolese musicians I canvassed, indeed their adamant opinion, suggests the spelling should be ‘seben’."...

****
Excerpt #4
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
"Congolese music is one of the most influential music of the African continent since the 1930s. Congolese musicians had a huge impact on the African musical scene and outside. Many contemporary genres of music were created or heavily influenced by Congolese music. As the genre of music in Kenya Benga or in Colombia Champeta. Democratic republic of Congo and (Republic of Congo ) are contemporary hub music in Africa since the 1930s /50s. Congolese rumba joined in 2021, other living traditions such as Jamaican reggae music and Cuban rumba on Unesco's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list. Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo varies in its different forms. Outside Africa, most music from the Democratic Republic of Congo is called Soukous, which most accurately refers instead to a dance popular in the late 1960s. The term rumba or rock-rumba is also used generically to refer to Congolese music, though neither is precise nor accurately descriptive.

People from the Congo have no single term for their own music per se, although muziki na biso ("our music") was used until the late 1970s, and now the most common name is ndule, which simply means music in the Lingala language; most songs from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are sung in Lingala.

[…]

Big bands (c. 1950–70)

Into the 1950s, Kinshasa and Brazzaville became culturally linked, and many musicians moved back and forth between them, most importantly Nino Malapet and one of the founders of OK Jazz, Jean Serge Essous. Recording technology had evolved to allow for longer playing times, and the musicians focused on the seben, an instrumental percussion break with a swift tempo that was common in rumba. Both OK Jazz and African Jazz continued performing throughout the decade until African Jazz broke up in the mid-1960s, TPOK Jazz with Franco Luambo Makiadi[1] at the helm dominated soukous music for the next 20 years.”…
-snip-
I added italics to highligh tthis passage.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Nigerian Amapiano Song by Falz featuring Niniola - "Squander" (Official YouTube Video with lyrics & comments)

FalzVEVO, Feb 12, 2021

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the 2021 song "Squander by Nigerian rapper, song writer, and actor Falz featuring Nigerian singer/song writer Ninola. 

This post includes information and lyrics for that song as well as selected commetns from that YouTube video's discussion thread.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Falz and Niniola for their music. Thanks also to all tothers who are associated with this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. 
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falz#:~:text=Folarin%20Falana%20(born%20October%2027,music%20artist%20began%20in%202009. for information about Falz (birth name Folarin Falana).

Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niniola#:~:text=Niniola%20Apata%20(born%2015%20December,the%202015%20Nigeria%20Entertainment%2 for information about Niniola (birth name Niniola Apata).

****
LYRICS - SQUANDER
(Falz featuring Niniola)

Falz The Bahd Guy in the buildin' by the way

Nini de

Will-Will-Will-Willis, giddem

Three minus one plus three plus three

O calculate 24 divided by three

Simple arithmetic, that is the figure eight

Je ka conversate

Sh'ori bimo shey fresh pelu agbada

Wey the gator sharp kra-kra, ka

Everythin' sha pra-pra-pra

DJ bring it back, dapada

Ina kwana (Ina kwana)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander (bring the money)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander

E no matter how I look, 'ozo (how I look, 'ozo)

E no matter how I look, 'ozo

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a diamond

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa, ah-ayy-ayy

Kenyan chick, they like me da-da

Say I give am real pipe like man dey para

Wake up in the mornin' say "thank you Papa"

Nakupenda, asante sana

The boy fine, account balance

See the motor wey park for garage

We come to-to party harder

Wey the club house go catch fire, yeah (yeah)

Ina kwana (Ina kwana)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander (bring the money)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a diamond

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa, ah-ayy-ayy

You say I'm movin' with a shoulder pad

Because I'm gettin' more bags but that is not my bad (it's not my bad oh)

I'm sorry, should I turn around? (should I turn?)

Nobody told me that flexin' is not allowed (o soh nah)

Emi ga'apa soke, mo de fila toh bad (ehn-ehn)

Shey agba ti de ni? then dide ko dance (dance)

Nini ti de link up with Falz

Call my aboki, bring out the cash

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a diamond

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa

Because I'm a bae

Mo ga'apa, mo ga'apa, ah-ayy-ayy

Ina kwana (Ina kwana)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander (bring the money)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for squander

Ori ri-ri mi, ori ri-ri mi

Because I'm a diamond

(Will-Will-Will-Willis, giddem)

Ma ga'apa

Ina kwana (Ina kwana)

Ina gejia (Ina gejia)

Everythin' nma ranma

Ka yin weta cash for' (ka yin weta cash for')
-snip-
These lyrics were posted to the discussion thread of this video by Eastside Boy on Feb. 13, 2021.
-snip-
Definition of the English word "squander" from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squander
"to spend extravagantly or foolishly : Dissipate, Waste

squandered a fortune”

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
All of these comments were posted between Feb. 12th and Feb 15, 2021 (from a total of 1, 013 comments as of 4:34 PM ET on Feb. 15, 2021; total # of views - 236,893  

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

1. Lanre Oladejo
"Falz always hitting us with that fresh fresh concept each time.

Addressing social issues in a comical & entertaining fashion."

**
2. Gbantse Franklin
"This is a wonderful work done and a creative shots. kudos to the director.

#falznl_de_badguy"

**
3. Ezenna YMG nations Christopher
"His passing very important information on our Nigerian politician how the finish our national money"
-snip-
"His" is probably a typo for "He's" (He is).

**
4. Stephen Opoku
"Seeing my man Mr Macaroni makes me happy....The Bahd guy on a Money Heist with a feel of the Amapiano💗💗💗🙌🙌🙌🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 #S.O💥"
-snip-
Here's some information about Mr. Macaroni from  https://www.infoguideafrica.com/2020/03/Mr-Macaroni.html

[Mr. Macaroni, birth name Debo Adebayo] "is a Nigerian actor, comedian, entrepreneur and social media influencer popularly known for his 'ooin you're doing well' phrase.

He has been acting for some years, but recently came into limelight after starting a series of comedy skits. In most of his skits, he usually plays the role of a sugar daddy, looking for a side chick and it is always full of adventures. His videos are loved because of their uniqueness and lessons that viewers learn at the endings.

[...]

On February 13th 2020, Mr Macaroni was arrested by Police operatives at Lekki toll gate. He joined the protest against the planned reopening of the Lekki toll gate following the alleged killing of protesters on October 20, 2020."...
-snip-
The colloquial Yoruba phrase "daddy wa" (English: "our daddy") is another referent that is used in social media for the fictitious character Mr. Macaroni.  In each of his YouTube skits Mr. Macaroni is known for sending lots of money to the bank accounts of a different woman who he is attracted to, because he wants to get "freaky freaky".  
-snip-
Here's some information about "Bank Heist" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_Heist
"Money Heist (Spanish: La casa de papel, "The House of Paper") is a Spanish heist crime drama television series created by Álex Pina. The series traces two long-prepared heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and one on the Bank of Spain.

[…]

It had its original run of 15 episodes on Spanish network Antena 3 from 2 May 2017 through 23 November 2017. Netflix acquired global streaming rights in late 2017. It re-cut the series into 22 shorter episodes and released them worldwide, beginning with the first part on 20 December 2017.

[…]

The series received several awards including Best Drama Series at the 46th International Emmy Awards, as well as critical acclaim for its sophisticated plot, interpersonal dramas, direction, and for trying to innovate Spanish television. The Italian anti-fascist song "Bella ciao," which plays multiple times throughout the series, became a summer hit across Europe in 2018. By 2018, the series was the most-watched non-English language series and one of the most-watched series overall on Netflix,[4] with a particular resonance coming from viewers from Mediterranean Europe and the Latin American world.

[…]

Original release 2 May 2017 –present"...
-snip-
"Amapiano" is a music form from South Africa. Read some of the comments below about Nigerians and amapiano.

**
5. kansiime Noor
"I have watched this video more than twice, Falz never disappoints 🤗🤗I see freaky freaky @Mrmacaroni and Tobi, how can I forget the queen Niniola)😍"

**
6. ice yyy
"Daddy wa!!! See what freaky freaky is going to you?"

**
7. The Only
"wow🤯 this Amapiano beat 🇿🇦with Nigerian 🇳🇬🇳🇬 delivery is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

**
8. Ke Lebo Mokwena
"A South African amapiano beat sounds good mixed with Nigerian lyrics... something I never thought I needed to hear lol 🔥🔥🔥"

**
9. Yuki Osagiede
"It’s the storyline for me Mehn 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

And the way the recent happenings in Nigeria was portrayed. Very well thought out.🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"

**
10. Stephanie Onwuemenyi
"Falz is always on point. Niniola is on another level of "dope"....🙌🙌🙌. Very creative piece 💥💥💯💯💯"

**
11. Effort Mark
"this video is lit! concept, story, wardrobe, everything litty litty. Falz ka yin weta cash for squander bikonu"

**
12. Fishing For Candy
"AMAPIANO IN NIGERIA IS FIRE!!!!!"

**
13. Shadrack Onwosi
"See how Nigerians have made the Amapiano sound  thiers’.

Naija We no dey carry last😂🤝"
-snip-
Here's an explanation for that saying from http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210124-nigeria-the-country-that-loves-to-overachieve
..."excelling in all circumstances is so deeply entrenched in the Nigerian psyche that the nation's unofficial motto is “Naija no dey carry last” ("Nigeria never comes last")."

**
Reply
14. Dr Aquino Larosa Mundozah
"Not yours it’s borrowed from us South Africans you welcome"

**
Reply
15. The Only
"Its only borrowed dear"

**
16. sizwe vuyo
"Amapiano sound, from South Africa to the world."

**
17. oyebamiji olalekan
"Very soon world would be thinking "Amapiano Beats" Originated from Nigeria with the way we vibe on it

Always killing it"

**
18. chioma chukumah
"This video is so creative, the el professor(money heist) reference is so brilliant 😍 and the palliative themed like sharing at the end, brillianttttt😍😍👏🏼"

**
19. Akpati Phinehas
"Why does this song sound like phyno highway"

**
Reply
20. Ayo Knightz
"Your statment should be t he other way round even if u want to compare, because falz released this before Phynos highway. but on the real all amapiano songs sounds almost the same."

**
21. yke Nuel
"Nice song, though u stole phyno Highway beat."

**
Reply
22. Cedric Ntando
"It's a amapiono beat from  South Africa"

**
23. Bernard Odu
"Yung Willis produced both beats though"

**
24. Sharika_ 60
"I'm a huge Amapiano fan and I'm loving the beat... love from Namibia 🔥"

**
25. BERTHILA ADEJOH
"Finally, Naija Money Heist has been released💃💃💃weldone guy's"

**
26. Adeyemi Ayomide
"Money heist wedding version... Falz too much ⭐⭐⭐"
-snip-
The custom of "spraying" the bride and groom with paper money is key to this "money heist".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-african-custom-of-spraying-money.html#:~:text=%22Spraying%20money%22%20is%20the%20act,the%20couple%20with%20good%20fortune. for  a 2013 pancocojams post entitled "The African Custom Of Spraying Money".

**
27. Adebisi Kasim
"Lovely... d guys in agbada packing the money from the dance floor made me laugh"

**
28, blazinghot99
"Thank God there is NO tribalism in entertainment.  Falz a Yoruba man speaking fluent Hausa, Igbo and Swahili also used.  I love the showcasing of Nigerian culture.  The song and video are awesome.  Niniola is a QUEEN.  Her outfit and gele is top notch.  🤩🥰❤Shout out to my Nigerian brethren. Keep the hits coming. E ku faaji!   #Onelove.  #Naijaornothing.  😁🔥👏💃🇳🇬"

**
29. Promise Gemmog
"I just love the diverse language used in the song, English, Igbo, Swahili, Yoruba, pidgin"
-snip-
Another commenter also noted that this song also includes Hausa.

**
Reply
30. Tunde Ayowunmi
"You are spot on... The mix of different language spice up this song... Great sound.

**
Reply
31. EfemzyEkun
"That's why naija music and artists, easily penetrate various tribes and borders, because some of our artists, sings for the continent and not just our country. That way, we demonstrate our tolerance, openness and unity to the world.

Those seeking to ban our music and artists in their countries, just need to learn and create their own templates...its not that hard. Once you have the talent, focus on your niche and make it go global, whilst still retaining your local contents. One love people🇳🇬🇳🇬❤❤✅✅"

**
Reply 
32. abdul aziz abdul rahman
"@Promise Gemmog  “inna kwana “ inna gajiya “ are all Hausa words . The first one means good Morning and how are you doing ."

**
Reply
33. NA Music
@AishaChristie Umar Hausa is spoken in Ghana too. We have that in common."

**
34. Promise Gemmog
"@abdul aziz abdul rahman yeah that’s why the song is so good."

**
35. wesonga frankline
""Nakupenda asante sana.." Spit that swahili Falz"

**
36. Guru Dex
"Thank you Baba, nakupenda asante sana. Kenyans 🇰🇪 sign your register"

**
37. Marquise Larina
"How can someone be a bad and good boy at the same time 😍😍"

**
Reply
38. SEUN A.
"If you notice the spelling, it is actually 'Bahd'. He said in one of his interviews that it's an acronym for 'brilliant and highly distinct'. He said it's intentional. He wants the pronunciation to sound like 'bad' but has a different meaning."

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