Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a pancocojams series showcasing the Nigerian Afrobeat song "Wo!" by Olamide.
Part II provides a compilation of some of the comments in the discussion thread of a YouTube video for Olamide's "Wo!!". This compilation focuses on some funny and serious examples of comments from that discussion which include the word "wo". My brief editor's note about this sub-set of comments is also included in that post.
Click for Part I of this pancocojams series.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistics, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Olamide for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all who are quoted in this post.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT "WO COMMENTS" IN THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR OLAMIDE'S VIDEO
This compilation documents the use of the word "Wo!" in the discussion thread for Nigerian Hip Hop artist Olamide's 2017 hit record "Wo!". In the article entitled "Wo!! is Olamide's call to the streets" (https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/wo-olamides-call-streets, IfeOluwa Nihinlola describes Olamide's use of the word "Wo!"- "Olamide opens the song with a hook that follows the pulsing sound of a countdown beep. “Wo” is Yoruba for see, but in Olamide’s mouth, as on the streets he swears allegiance to, it is an arrogant, aggressive calling of attention. He punctuates every line with the word."
-snip-
A brief excerpt of the lyrics to this song (along with their English translation) is found in Part I of this pancocojams series. Click https://lyricstranslate.com/en/wo-look.html for the complete lyrics to this song.
-snip-
Throughout the YouTube discussion thread for the "Wo" video that is embedded in Part I of this pancocojams series a number of commenters wrote that the Yoruba meaning of "Wo" is "look" or "see" or "watch out". However, a recurring feature of that long discussion thread is the word play that many commenters engage in that is centered around the word "wo", but with a different meaning or meanings than the above cited Yoruba definitions. Some commenters retained the same spelling for this word that Olamide used in his Hip Hop song while others used the spelling "woo" or "wooh" or other similar spellings.
My guess is that the meaning of the word "wo" in most of these comments is closer to "an expression of joy, exhilaration, and/or affirmation" than the traditional Yoruba meaning of "look"/"see"/ "watch". My guess is that the meaning of the word "wo" as used by many commenters in this Olamide YouTube discussion thread was influenced by the English exclamation "woah" ("Used to express surprise, interest, or alarm, or to command attention") https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/whoa even though that word is pronounced differently than how "wo" is pronounced in Olamide's song. Some of the "wo comments" in this discussion thread may also have been influenced by the English interjection "wow" and the African American Vernacular English "Yo!", particularly when that word has the meaning "Hey" or "Yeah". Notice that some people writing in that discussion thread begin their comment with "wo", some end their comment with "wo", and some do both. This is the same way that "Yo" was and is used. In contrast, in Olamide's song "Wo!!, the word "wo" is only used as the ending word in sentences.
This pancocojams post documents these "wo comments" because I find many of them to be creative and/or funny. Furthermore, some of the comments are interesting because of the political and other socio-cultural information that they express. Some of these comments that include the "wo" word are also examples of a particular recent interest of mine- the occurrence of what I refer to as "nation signing in" comments in certain YouTube discussion threads.*
I don't mean to imply that the Yoruba meaning for "wo" isn't the correct meaning for that word in Olamide's song with that title. However, since languages aren't fixed phenomena, and given the world wide presence of commenters on that YouTube discussion thread, it's possible that the lack of knowledge or confusion about the meaning of the Yoruba word "wo" and its likely conflation with the meaning of similarly spelled and similarly sounding English word "woah" could result in the adoption of that word with that different meaning in some cultures of the world-if not in Nigeria.
These "wo comments" may be considered parodies of Olamide's song "Wo!!" as they use the template in which many lines of that song end with "wo". However, I think that the comments are just word play, and aren't meant to t mock that Yoruba Hip Hop song.
Disclaimer: I don't agree with every comment that is included in this compilation. However, I do agree with most of these comments.
-snip-
Italics are added to emphasize the points made in those sentences.
*"Nation signing in" comments are brief comments in which a person writes his or her nation's name, country code top-level domain [initials], country [telephone] code (iso) etc. in a discussion thread for a YouTube music video with or without any other text or emojis (small digital images or icons). These "nation signing in" comments serve as "shout outs" (brief public acknowledgements/greetings and/or praises) for a particular song and/or singer/s. These comments document the global reach of a particular song, singer/s, and particular musical genres by serving as a "roll-call" of the nations (and sometimes also from ethnic groups, language groups, cities/states etc.) that know this song/singer and are enthusiastic about this song/singer.) Click the "nation signing in comments tag" for pancocojams posts about this custom.
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EXAMPLES OF SELECTED "WO COMMENTS" FROM THE YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR OLAMIDE'S "WO"
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2u5Gbadn7o
(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. These comments are given with very few informational editor's notes.)
POLITICAL COMMENTS
1. agu oluchi, 2017
"Nigeria government makes us sick Wo
Olamide u too much Wo"
**
2. Nez Productions, 2017
"Zimbabwe wo!
Mugabe country wo!
Sending some love wo!"
**
REPLY
3. Nosa, 2018
"Mugabe no more wo! 🕺🏿"
**
4. Sonia, 2018
"Trump getting impeached WO!!!"
**
5. ABSHD AHHSJ, 2018
"Uganda wo
Free bobi wine wo
Museveni should go wo"
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COMMENTS THAT MENTION THE PERSON'S NATION OR CITY
(Note that the political comments given above could probably be considered as part of this sub-set.
I've also included other comments, including replies, to document some ways that these comments were received in that discussion thread.)
1. GeniusLoci1970, 2017
"Respect from Poland, Wo!!"
**
2. Thelma Matombo, 2017
"from Zimbabwe with love....WO!!!!!!"
**
3. musa jallow, 2017
"Who deh WO in the Gambia???"
**
4. Abdulkareem Idris, 2017
"This is lit Wo!
This dancers incredible Wo!
Mad love Est Africa Wo!
Much respek from Kenya Wo!"
**
5. MAHER BADSHAH, 2017
"I am from Pakistan but I love this song .. everything wo"
**
REPLY
6. meio mais mil brazil, 2017
"MAHER BADSHAH wow"
**
REPLY
7. Oyaator Bhoy, 2017
"By the way guys, "Wo" means "Look" in Yoruba.
Enjoy, bruvs."
**
REPLY
8. justice Christopher, 2018
"Wo!"
**
9. Stephane Odi, 2017
"From ivory coast Wo!
I dont need to understand wo!
Coz da song is good wo!
and he makes me good wo!'"
**
REPLY
10. Be sJ, 2019
"hahaha brother you are très très fort wo"
-snip-
Google translate from French to English: "très très fort" = very very strong
**
11. Mimz Kay, 2017
"This video is lit🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 wo!
The dancers incredible wo!
Mad love from East Africa wo!
Much respek from Kenya wo!"
**
REPLY
12. CHURCHIL ONYANGO, 2017
"This video is lit🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 wo!
The dancers incredible wo!
Mad love from East Africa wo!
tuko pamoja wo!"
-snip-
Google translate from Swahili to English" "tuko pamoja" - "we are together"
**
13. Playhuttt Play, 2017
"Trinidad and tobago loving this song like wo 🔥🔥"
**
14. juma hamis, 2017
"Olamide always true to himself wo
entertaining as always wo
best club bangers as always wo
its 2018 and we still here wo
much love from Tanzania wo"
**
15. Abdel Nour, 2017
"No idea what you saying WO!
But that don't care WO!
Mad love from Central Africa WO!
CHAD Love You WO!
Big Up WO!
Africa are ONE WO!"
**
16. Kali, 2018
"Wo u making me run on the treadmill 😜
Love from Canada my black ppl so beautiful everywhere they are WO WO WO ❤️🤟🏽👏🏽🙌🏾"
**
17. Omar Akhrif, 2018
"Wo!! from Morocco!! 🇲🇦 one good thing about ur music when it hits me i feel no pain."
**
REPLY
18. Shawnee Peace, 2018
"Ya mon"
**
19. TheKefmoth, 2018
"Mad love from South Africa WO!
No idea what you saying WO!
But that doesnt stop me WO!
From breaking my back WO!
Big Up WO!
Africa we are ONE WO!!!!!!"
**
REPLY
20. Isaac Badmus, 2018
"hahahaha please don't break neck w0"
**
REPLY
21, Joan Wilson, 2018
"Wo I don't understand it too wo
But is so funny wo
I be listening wo"
**
REPLY
22. Wumi -H, 2018
"Wo this comment had me in stitches aha"
**
REPLY
23. REPLY
Bola Johnson, 2018
"Wo in yoruba language mains look at something 🙄"
**
24. Awal Mohammed, 2018
"This song waka massa! Everybody is moving '...... wooh! .....wooh!' Enjoying from Bamenda, Cameroon."
**
25. Brady Shammar, 2018
"Jamaican in California watching and dancing like Wo!!!!"
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26. pcangel80pcdevil, 2018
"Love from Dubai!!! Wooo ❤️"
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27. ashton magwenzi, 2018
"Mad love from Zimbabwe WOOOOOOO!!! CANT STOP WOOOO!"
**
28. mr inno VEVO, 2018
"Feeling this track from Italy WO."
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29. Romeo Romero, 2018
"From Australia Wo!!!!"
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30. Darcia Mbaye, 2019
"Wo from the Bronx NYC
Wo!"
**
31. Abigail Liu, 2019
"Wo🔥🔥🔥 from Taiwan"
**
32. Buttercreme TV, 2019
"I am from Germany wo!
This song is very good wo!
Who listening in February 2019 wo!"
**
33. Jessica Etienne, 2019
"Wo from mauritius island. Big up everyone who share this vibe. Wo"
**
34. Ka- Boom, 2019
"Algeria 🇩🇿 in da building wo 👻"
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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
1. Akanji Marnaj, 2017
"Hello everybody WO!
I just want to tell you WO!
Dat you're beautiful WO!
May U never lack WO!
May God be with U WO!
#Always WO!"
**
REPLY
2. Andre3000fan 123456, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj thank you WO"
**
REPLY
3. chakydd, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj God bless you WO!
Peace and love WO!!
Thank you Wo!!"
**
REPLY
4. Stella Sepassipour, 2017
"Thank you WO!
God bless WO!
Be happy WO!"
**
REPLY
5. Akanji Marnaj, 2017
"chakydd
Ameen WO!"
**
REPLY
6. Akanji Marnaj, 2017
"Stella Sepassipour
Ameen"
**
REPLY
7. Akanji Marnaj, 2017
"Andre3000fan 123456
You are welcome WO!"
**
REPLY
8. Faith Kitama, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj Amen Wo 😍"
**
REPLY
9. Yikes, 2017
"Like wise WO! !! Stay humble WO! We appreciate you WO! Thank you for your comment WO! ❤💯"
**
REPLY
10. swag Lord, 2017
"You too wo"
**
REPLY
11. Be Proud of your own, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj wishing all the same WO!
With ur big head WO!
Laughing out loud WO!
Olori Nla WO!"
-snip-
Google translate from Yoruba to English - "Olori Nla" = great prince"
**
REPLY
12. CHURCHIL ONYANGO, 2017
"thank you WO!"
**
REPLY
13. Sophia Amuzie, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj Ami."
**
REPLY
14. SS tv, 2017
"Thank you WO !"
**
REPLY
15. blessing titilayo, 2017
"u know WO!! means "look" yh"
**
REPLY
16. salinge jamilah, 2017
"Amen bruv WOOOOOOOOOO!"
**
REPLY
17. Joseph Quaye, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj Amen Wo!"
**
REPLY
18. Akanji Marnaj, 2017
"#Indeed! Be Proud of your own"
**
REPLY
19. Miracle Aboagye, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj OMG WO!
Thank you so much WO!"
**
REPLY
20. Ty Alexander, 2017
"LMAO tyy WO!
Bless u too WO!"
**
REPLY
21. vanytah Miss Oreo, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj you too Wo"
**
REPLY
22. felix johnson, 2017
"amen wo"
**
REPLY
23. muTonga, 2017
"You people are funny wo!😂😂😂😂"
**
REPLY
24. muTonga, 2017
"peace and love everybody!
luv from #Zimbabwe wo!
😂😂😂😂😂😂"
**
REPLY
25. vanytah Miss Oreo, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj this thread is so hilarious wo!"
**
REPLY
26. muTonga, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj wo!
You can say dat again wo!
feeling it wo!"
**
REPLY
27. starlite 77, 2017
"And you too brother, WO !"
**
REPLY
28. starlite 77, 2017
"Or sister, WO! 🤣"
**
REPLY
29. starlite 77, 2017
"1 year ago
Be Proud of your own lmao WO!"
**
REPLY
30. Hellen Momoh, 2017
"I'm dying with laughter wo!😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣"
**
REPLY
31. joncy O, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj you are so funny wo"
**
REPLY
32. Emmanuel Miller, 2017
"Thank you Wo bye wo"
**
REPLY
33.Georgina Gomez, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj Amen wo"
**
REPLY
34. Marian Khanu, 2017
"Akanji Marnaj kk"
**
REPLY
35. Yassine Benamer, 2017
"imm dying of laughter :D :D hahahahah i tried to sing by reading comments with wo
hahah it was so funny wo Loooooooooool Wo"
**
REPLY
36. Lisa Luv Diamond princess, 2017
"Lol wo."
**
37. James, 2017
"tebati gbo vajinatu wO!
ybnl does it best wO!
Naija music run it wO!
1Luv Africa wO!"
-snip-
Google translate from Yoruba to English the first line “Sunday morning”
**
38. West African Diamonds, 2017
"I just had twins on 12/4/17, a girl and a boy. WO!!😂😄""
**
REPLY
39. TheKefmoth, 2017
"Congratulations WO!
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40. bobo bad, 2018
"I just dey com from heaven WO
I come they hear the music WO
I just dey fell the music WO
Nigeria music don blow WO
Respect for all the dancer WO
See u later my brother Wo"
**
41. Joseph Godfrey, 2018
"Am feeling dis wo, olamide d baddest wo 9ja for life wo 🙋"
**
42. EMMANUEL RAY BATALA, 2018
"woooow so nice poping it up"
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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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