The impact of Nigerian pop music cuts across language and communication so much that it churns out new words and slang every day. And because they move so fast, it’s hard to keep up with what’s new and cool.
So, we compiled an official list of new and old terms peculiar to Afrobeats. Although they’re a bit chaotic, they’re exciting communication chops.
To the student reader
This list will help you learn 50+ Afrobeats words and phrases. You can use the book yourself, without a song or teacher. You can do the units in any order you like.
People
Alaye: If you’re an influential person, this is a title. If your name is unknown, this is also what you’ll be called in the street.
Aza: Your bank account. It’s credited as a Bini word.
Azaman: A rich spender, if you like. But in the street, an azaman provides the bank details which G-boys use to pick funds. It’s also a Bini slang.
Bankulli: This is the name of a famous key player in the Afrobeats world. If anyone calls you this, you’re more likely to be connected than God.
Folake: This is the friend of Halima, Funke, Dolapo and Aisha, all the beautiful girls Nigerian artists will never stop singing about.
Idan: This means magic. If your boys call you this, you’re a smooth operator.
Maradona: This isn’t a footballer. Here, Maradona is a casanova.
Omo ope: You always have money to give and spend. This is your name.
Omotena: This is a term for a fine babe.
Food, drink, substance
Azul: a critically-acclaimed overpriced liquor sold in Nigerian clubs. It’s Afrobeats artists’ favourite elixir since Champagne, Hennessy and Moet.
Cana: This is short for Canadian Loud, an expensive cannabis strain.
Coco: This is also known as codeine, a pain reliever widely misused as a recreational drug. Some call it Coco Melon.
Eja nla: You use this to describe a big catch: a rich spender or a high-maintenance babe.
Turkey nla: AKA Big booty. You need to hear that Wande Coal.
Jollof: This is a rice dish from West Africa. Some say Nigerian jollof is the best, though.
Shekpe: A local gin for consumption.
Everyday verb
Ginger: It means to motivate or stay motivated. It’s spelt “Jinja” sometimes. Remember that Olamide song?
Gbera: To move with speed like a dog. If you don’t believe me, play Small Doctor’s Gbera.
Gbe body e: Get your dancing shoes.
Japa: To travel overseas or escape (Nigeria).
Ji masun: Wake your ass up.
Jonze: This means to get high.
Shack: To drink alcohol.
Jogor: To get drunk.
Soapy: This means to masturbate. It went viral after Naira Marley’s Soapy song.
Tesojue: This translates to “Put it there.” Reminisce’s Tesojue
Trabaye: It means drunk or high. Figuratively, it means to level up.
Whine: Although in usage across races and cultures, this means rhythmically and seductively grinding the waist. Your babe can explain better.
Wire-wire: To send out a huge amount of money. Or to receive it. Hence 9ice’s Living Things.
Expressions, words and grammar
Shey normal: Behave accordingly.
Comot body jor: Mind your damn business.
Penkelemesi: This is a local pronunciation of “peculiar mess” popularised by former Nigerian minister Adegoke Adelabu.
Kapaichumarimarichukpako: A meaningless word coined by rapper Zlatan, but something you can yell after completing a task.
Yawa: This means a problem.
Ayii: When you get swept off your feet, “Ayii” expresses your satisfaction.
Arararara: This is a crowd-tester that checks if a party audience is engaging or boring. When the artist calls “Arararara”, the audience responds “Ororororo”. Femi Kuti is credited for the coinage.
Long thing: A time-wasting situation. If you value your time and others, you say “No long thing.”
Dey play: It’s a sarcastic statement for nonchalant folks.
KPK: Short form of “Ko Po Ke”, a term to express surprise.
Lamba: It means flowery words. It’s an exaggeration and big lies on appropriate occasions, too.
OPP: It means “O po pa”, translatable to “It’s plenty.”
No Lele: The meaning is “No problem.”
Uche’s Face: To look Uche’s face means to give a fuck about something. Uche is one guy with a face that can make the heart melt and forgive. Now you know why Nigerians avoid the guy.
STMS: This is the short form of “She Tell Me Say”. Sometimes, it’s a gist of what a babe tells you. Most of the time, it’s a filler word used by our Starboy Wizzy.
Questions
How far?: Aside from “Hello” and ” How are you?”, this is an everyday way to ask for an update on something.
Who dey?: It’s a question you ask when you see someone lurking around.
Places
Gwagwalada: An unimpressive remote place in Abuja that Nigerian artists love to sing about these days.
Insta: This is Instagram, a social media app for a drips-and-flex lifestyle.
Lekki: This is an overrated “rich” area with brown water like Guinness on Lagos Island.
Lungu: This is a general name for the trenches. Let this entry prepare you before Asake storms the world with his forthcoming Lungu Boy album.
Southy: Nigerian music references South Africa in this way. Ask your favorite where he shot his expensive videos; “Southy” is a top-three location.
Things
Evian: It’s anything you say it is, according to Shallipopi, who brought it to the mainstream. On some days, it’s even Shalli’s family name.
Kaluba: This is a term for money.
Little Money: Stable earning cosplaying as Odetola. Smh.
Vibes: An activity that’s running on dopamine without thoughts or preparation.
