Are we all prisoners?
Asa (pronounced Asha), Nigerian female singer, expresses so much truth and energy in her music that she completely moves me! I saw her live performance in the SAKIFO music festival held at Les Salines in August 2008, and it was just wow… It was a pure exchange of energy. I have to say that I was impressed, even though I was not paying attention to the content of her songs. But when I did, I realised the calm, serenity and intelligence with which she expressed our daily reality…
My favourite song from her latest album is ‘Mr Jailer‘, just cool reggae ballade, kind of nice little music to relax on a sunday afternoon… until you listen to the message she is delivering!
I’m in chains, you’re in chains too… I wear uniforms and you wear uniforms too… I’m a prisoner, you’re a prisoner too… Mr Jailer
Well, it is clear that a large portion of the working population feels that way - enchained… When Asa makes us realise that the Jailer is enchained as well, I get some kind of mixed feelings… Yes, the Jailer is enchained to an erzats of power, but he treats me so badly that I feel… RRRRR! Enraged! But I do pity him as well… Coz he’s not aware of his chains. What he believes is power, is actually just an illusion that provides him with some temporary satisfaction.
Life is beautiful… Don’t you think so too?… Mr Jailer