Nigerian Rapper and Songwriter Davolee dropped “Ashawo” as a solo record in February 2023 ahead of his 2023 album Na My Shoe I Buckle.
Davolee writes from the point of view of someone who is bent on making money regardless of the labels and judgments he may face. The references to being branded a “ashawo” or Yahoo boy are a broader remark about hustle, criticism, and not giving up.
The music is fast-moving, with its focus on Davolee’s rap-driven performance at two minutes and thirty seconds. The Yoruba and English lines sit comfortably next to each other, giving the record the conversational quality that is characteristic of most of his street-facing material.
The title is more interesting than the lyrics themselves. It’s not so much about what it actually means as it is about the titles people give to someone they don’t understand. Davolee’s response is to keep preoccupied with his own advancement and survival.
Stream the record on digital streaming providers, and go back to Na My Shoe I Buckle for more from this period of his discography.
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