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Tuesday, August 31, 2021

(Nigerian Singer) Burna Boy's 2020 Hit Song "Odogwu" (with information about what "odogwu" means)


Burna Boy,  March 6, 2020
-snip-
Statistics as of August 31, 2021 at 9:00 PM ET total views -  6,930,307 total likes - 111K
total dislikes - 2.6K
total # of comments - 6,410
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases the official YouTube video of Nigerian singer Burna Boy's 2020 hit song "Odogwo" which was released on Feb. 28, 2020. The lyrics of that song are included in this post along with information about that song, with a focus on the meaning of the Igbo* word "odogwo".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistic, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Burna Boy for his musical legacy and thanks to all those who were involved in the production of this music and video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip-
*Igbo is a traditional Nigerian language from the Igbo ethnic group.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people
**** LYRICS- ODOGWU
(songwriters: Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu / Kelvin Peters)

When I reach Igbo land, dem calling me Odogwu (Odogwu) And as I enter the town, I put am for agu (Odogwu) And nobody can stop you, na so we dey fly pass oh Over any obstacle, e be Odogwu (Odogwu) Say na who dey draw the map e oh (Odogwu) You are looking at the champion (Odogwu) Where the girls dey shake nyansh oh (Odogwu) Wey the person with the cash oh (Odogwu) Aje aje kekele (Odogwu) Aje aje kekele (Odogwu) Aje aje pekele (Odogwu) Champion Make I remind you as e dey go Bounce to the sound when I bounce with the dough Serve yourself, na the matter we dey do Omo you dey slow, move make I move I go slide then you go sink like a boat Me I just dey laugh like say life is a joke I like Igbo girls wey dey clean, wey dey cook If their boyfriend no get money then they can't cope Kuro n be When I reach Igbo land, dem calling me Odogwu (Odogwu) And as I enter the town, I put am for agu (Odogwu) And nobody can stop you, na so we dey fly pass oh Over any obstacle e be Odogwu (Odogwu) Oh my God, what a symphony (Ahan) So tell me, what has gotten into me? I step in real ride, pull up in a Bentley And with the The diamond shining on every ring you see Lights on, lights on, I be commodore The girls dem- Dem want to touch pon my kponornor And if you nor get work you be jankara Abegi, so make you go sit down for one corner You con dey bother me, I go need my apology You know I wanna see All the fine girls wey dey totori Make I kolobi Hmmm When I reach Igbo land, dem calling me Odogwu (Odogwu) And as I enter the town, I put am for agu (Odogwu) And nobody can stop you, na so we dey fly pass oh Over any obstacle e be Odogwu (Odogwu) Say na who dey draw the map oh (Odogwu) You are looking at the champion (Odogwu) Where the girls dey shake nyansh oh (Odogwu) Wey the person, wey the cash e oh (Odogwu) Aje aje kekele (Odogwu) Aje aje kekele (Odogwu) Aje aje pekele (Odogwu) Champion

Source: Musixmatch https://www.google.com/search?q=odogwu+lyrics+by+burna+boy&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59i450l8.89354295j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 **** INFORMATION ABOUT BURNA BOY'S SONG "ODOGWU" & THE WORD "ODOGWU" Excerpt #1 From https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/382154-burna-boy-showcases-igbo-culture-in-new-video-odogwu.html "Burna Boy showcases Igbo culture in new video ‘Odogwu’" ByJayne Augoye  March 16, 2020 "Award-winning Afro-fusion singer, Burna Boy, has released the visuals for his recently released single titled ‘Odogwu’.

This comes days after he received a gold plaque for his 2018 released single, “On the Low” which went gold in France.

Produced by ace producer, Kel P, ‘Odogwu’, which serves as his first official single of 2020 possesses a unique indigenous South-Eastern Nigeria flavour, laced with the afrobeat sound.

Burna Boy said whenever he is in Igbo Land, they call him ‘Odogwu’ (Great Man), and he typically responds by dancing. This, he, said, inspired the song.

The TG Omori-directed video portrays the rich traditional Igbo culture with conspicuous traditional elements. These elements are also dominant during title coronations of a highly placed individual such as the ‘Odogwu’ (Great Man).

The video opens with a crowd of red-cap chiefs chanting ‘Odogwu’ (Great Man) in praise of Burna with the ‘Akpele’ (flute) playing as he dances majestically.

It transcends into the scene where a priest performs rites with a sacrificial cock which ultimately leads to the conferment of the ‘Odogwu’ title with the ‘Okpu Ndi Nze’ (red cap) on the African Giant, Burna Boy.

Dressed in the typical Igbo traditional attire, the Isiagu (traditional regalia) and coral beads, Burna Boy with his ‘Akupe’ (hand fan) exudes authority amidst chiefs that show their solidarity/support by raising their fist.

With ‘Odogwu’, Burna Boy reiterates the assertion he made in February when he said; “I always knew I was and I am the best. Everyone you think is the best know I’m best since Fela Kuti”…
-snip-
As documented by various Burna Boy discussion threads on YouTube, since
 the release of his song "Odogwu", many of Burna Boy's fans started calling him "Odogwu". 

****
Excerpt #2
From https://ogefash.tumblr.com/post/614322475665440768/ig-ogefashblog-odogwu-is-an-igbo-word-used-by/amp, by ogefashblog, 2020
" “Odogwu” is an Igbo word used by the easterners in Nigeria. I am actually finding itso hard to give one meaning to the word “Odogwu”; I really don’t know why. I feel “Odogwu” has different meanings.

Well I visited my mum (MAONE) and asked her for the meaning of Odogwu, even my mum doesn’t have one meaning to “Odogwu.” So, what I did was compile all the meanings I gathered from my mum and other people.

Below are the meanings or should I say synonyms of “Odogwu”

“Hero, King, Great Man, Warrior,  Champion, A Fearless Being, Brave man, Limitless, unstoppable, Powerful, Strong, Resilient, Noble, Exceptional and Achiever and so on. Did I miss out any word? Ya kindly fill it in via the comment box.

WHAT IS THE SONG ODOGWU ABOUT

The song “Odogwu” basically talks about Burnaboy’s greatness, his achievement in the music industry and other areas, as well as his ability to overcome obstacles in life. The artiste says having all those qualities have made people accord him respect, and also made the Igbos in Nigeria call him “Odogwu.” Hence, the reason he turned the word “Odogwu” into a song for people to hear and dance to.”

[…]

The lyrics to the song “Odogwu” are meaningful as it talks about how he turned into a song, a great name given to him by the Igbos in Nigeria. The video which was shot and chopped by TG Omori complements the theme of the song. Igbos  are known for wearing the “red cap”. It shows that one has a chieftancy title and gives power to them. It is one of the traditions of the igbos in Nigeria. The dance moves are also synonymous tothe Igbos. The video was shot outdoor; at a beach.

MEANING OF SOME WORDS

Kuronbe is a Yoruba word that means leave there; Odogwu is an Igbo word that means Victor/Hero/Great one/Champion

Symphony means work of art; Totori means to excite someone; Kolobi means to have sex.”….

****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUliAM1ByDk&ab_channel=BurnaBoy [discussion thread]
1. Don Clark, 2020
"Simply put, Odogwu means Big (man), mighty(man), incredible, great, powerful...its a contextual igbo word..it could also mean influential."

**
Reply
2. Adwoa, 2020
"Oh wow, i learn something new today!  I know that in Ghana the Akan people say " Odogo" which has a similar meaning. It means tall and big and strong. I think they got this word from the people of the Sahara ( like Burkina, mali, etc). I am not sure if it has a connection with " Wagadugu", the capital of the Mossi kingdom of Burkina and northern Ghana"
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana_Empire
"Wagadou, commonly known as the Ghana Empire, was a West African empire based in the modern-day southeast of Mauritania and western Mali that existed from c. 300 until c. 1100. The Ghana empire, sometimes also known as Awkar, was founded by the Soninke people and was based in the capital city of Koumbi Saleh.

Etymology

The word ghana means warrior or war chief and was the title given to the rulers of the original kingdom whose Soninke name was Ouagadou. Kaya Maghan (lord of the gold) was another title for these kings."

**
3. Aijay Kay, 2020
"An Igbo adage says: ‘odogwu’ abụghị aha otutu, ọ bụ ihe onye metalụ ka e ji etu ya ‘odogwu’. Meaning, ‘Champion’ is not a nickname, a person earns it by what he has done. Burna is indeed Odogwu. Igbo kwenu! 9ja kwenu!"
-snip-
Editor's Note:
After the release of this song, many of Burna Boy's fans started calling him "Odogwu".

****
Excerpt #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZN6fVeQlIU&ab_channel=ThatFireLA "Burna Boy - Odogwu [Official Video] | That American Reaction" by That Fire LA, Mar 18, 2020 [American Reaction]

[These comments were written in response to another comment that erroneously indicated that  odogwu meant "king".

These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.]

1. marvellous macseed chukwu, 2020
"Odogwo means hero"

**
Reply
2. 
Branches of Africa, 2020
"Not king but a hero or strong man. King in igbo language mean is EZE."

**
Reply
3. The truth, 2020
"Odugwu doesn't mean king. Another word for odugwu in igbo language is dike which a word use for  somebody who has accomplished heroic feat, warrior, a great champion, uncommon achievement in the society, a great person and highly respected, wealthy and highly influential person in society can also be refer as odugwu which is commonly used nowadays."

**
Reply
5. Sly Steel
"@marvellous macseed chukwu  Odugwu means a "Great man"

**
Reply
6. Chukwukaokolo, 2020
"Odogwu means Warrior,  Hero or Champion"

**
Reply
7. nzubechukwu nwankwo, 2020
"broke Engineer odogwu mean a victorious man, a strong man"

**
Reply
8. Chika Rayleigh, 2021
"Odogwu literally means Mighty man."

****
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