It might seem like a lifetime ago, considering the tumultuous events of the past few weeks, but Tiwa Savage’s latest studio album, ‘Celia’, only came out about two months back. Undoubtedly her best full-length release, the project showed us a much more confident artist who’s broadened her topical horizons, taking into account the social causes she’s become increasingly vocal about recently.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tiwa Savage ⚔️ (@tiwasavage) on Oct 15, 2020 at 10:22am PDT

Following “Koroba”, a delightful screed at the hypocrisy that runs rampant in Nigerian society, the singer has handpicked the Naira Marley-assisted “Ole” as the latest single off ‘Celia’. On the Rexxie-produced standout, Tiwa Savage expresses her intolerance for being owed money, even threatening violence against debtors. “Because say I quiet no mean say I be fool”, she warns. Naira Marley chips in with a stellar verse, taking a swipe at perennial debtors and their penchant for always looking for ways to escape paying off their debt. With the title translating to thief, and the addition of a soundbite from an infamous incident from earlier this year, “Ole” is also cleverly linked with Nigeria’s corrupt ruling class, who have always shied away from accountability and continue to loot the country’s coffers with reckless abandon.

The newly released music video for “Ole” embellishes the rebellious nature of Tiwa and Naira’s lyrical performance, combining Goth elements, style-wise, and guerrilla visual aesthetics. Dressed in all black at a dingy location, the singers and their animated entourage cut a delightfully menacing competitions, taunting men and women who represent the typical, corrupt Nigerian politician. In its opening seconds, Tiwa dedicates the video to “Every single life lost to injustice in Nigeria”, a noble intentions that is matched by its execution, considering the shoddy handling and gas-lighting reaction by the government to our calls for an end to police brutality.

Watch “Ole” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Tiwa Savage

Dennis is a staff writer at the NATIVE. Let me know your favourite the Cavemen songs @dennisadepeter

ICYMI: TIWA SAVAGE’S “DANGEROUS LOVE” AND “KOROBA” MAKE CHART HISTORY