Diaspora Don Dada

[Intro]

[Talking drums burst, 2-second polyrhythmic break, crowd noise rising]

(Yeah yeah)

We came long way, o

From backstreet ball to the front row

Pass me that kente, tie it like logo

Whole block shining when we say so (hey!)

[Chorus]

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Came from the mud, now it’s hala (hala)

Crew stay loud when we holla (holla)

Whole world move when we call ya (call ya)

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Flag in the air, that’s banner (banner)

Talk from the soul, that’s manner

If you feel pride, say amala (amala)

[Verse 1]

Big drip, palm wine in my solo cup

Auntie selling jollof by the corner shop

Flight land, mum dance in the parking lot

Uncle say “chai, see the life you got”

Old drum talk in my heartbeat rhythm

Visa stamp plus the village wisdom

Two-step bounce in my air-force sneakers

Name in their mouth like Sunday preachers (amen)

[Chorus]

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Came from the mud, now it’s hala (hala)

Crew stay loud when we holla (holla)

Whole world move when we call ya (call ya)

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Flag in the air, that’s banner (banner)

Talk from the soul, that’s manner

If you feel pride, say amala (amala)

[Verse 2]

Call: Who get sauce like this?

Response: Na we, na we

Call: Who bring home that bliss?

Response: Family, family

Granny on a video, smile so wide

Tells me every prayer that she sent online

I got gold on my neck from the old town

Takes me back every time that I touchdown (woo)

Uber rides, but I dream of danfo

Boardroom deals, but I move like commando

Passport blue, but my slang bilingual

Everywhere I go, man, the tribe feel you ( tribe feel you)

[Chorus]

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Came from the mud, now it’s hala (hala)

Crew stay loud when we holla (holla)

Whole world move when we call ya (call ya)

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Flag in the air, that’s banner (banner)

Talk from the soul, that’s manner

If you feel pride, say amala (amala)

[Bridge]

Hands up high for the ones that left

Hands up high for the ones still here

Hands up high, put it on your chest

We carry whole continent everywhere (everywhere)

From block party grill to the roadside fire

From late-night trains to the church choir

We don’t hide roots, we amplify ’em

Whole globe hear that battle-cry hymn (rah!)

[Chorus]

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Came from the mud, now it’s hala (hala)

Crew stay loud when we holla (holla)

Whole world move when we call ya (call ya)

We the diaspora don dada (don dada)

Flag in the air, that’s banner (banner)

Talk from the soul, that’s manner

If you feel pride, say amala (amala)