Dr. A. Agoswin Musah and Mr. Asitanga Akugri of UEW,Ajumako Campus Review Blakka Tee’s ‘’SIB3’3D” in English

Sibɛ’ɛd (Bad spirit) written as Sii B33d is an inspirational song which was skillfully composed by a young talented Kusaa artist known as Blakka Tee. Blakka Tee, whose real name is Lazarus Mbilla was born to Mr. & Mrs Guy Williams Mbilla in Sabonzongo – Bawku.

Considering the sociocultural circumstance of the Kusaug region, the content of Sibɛ’ɛd is very apt and socially demanding. Its primary thrust is to foster peace and promote unity and development.

The song calls on the youth, elders, opinion leaders and all walks of life to shun aimless hatred, worthless envy and grudges and to embrace peace and unity. The song rhetorically questions the existence of the prevailing hatred in the world as well as the need for endless resentment and animosity. The answer to this question is the title of the song SIBƐ’ƐD (BAD SPIRIT).

The song opens smoothly with a rhetorical question Yɛlbɔ bɛ ka saalib ti kis taaba? Bɛ’ɛr bɔ bɛ

ka fʋ ti kis sɔ? ‘Why is it that there’s so much hatred among mankind? What will it profit one to hate and hold a grudge against another?’ which the talented poet sustains with the inspirational response that

Asutaana fan ti sunya ka kʋʋe ti nimbɔn’ɔg zua la: di anɛ sibɛ’ɛd ‘The devil has conquered our hearts, robbed us of our love and killed our empathy for mankind: it is a bad spirit’. This forms the basis of the song and provides its catching title which is melodiously repeated throughout the song.

The artist resorts severally to this technique of rhetorical questioning with a view to hammering home his primary goal of achieving change among his avid listeners.

Subsequent lines in the song provide worthy advice to the pompous and haughty youth to exercise self-restraint and to cherish humility in lines such as Tibandaʋg ɛɛnti suanɛ ka zug nyaŋ mui

‘Agama lizard often hides itself to redden the head’ which points out that one ought to humble themselves before one can attain greatness and relevance. The song also appeals to his aficionados to give peace a chance and to avoid using aggressive approaches to settling issues.

It iterates further the need to shirk hypocrisy, envy and malice, and rather desire to help others and not destroy anyone’s life or work.

The poet equally underscores the role of everyone including our gods and ancestors in achieving nirvana and retaining and sustaining the unity, peace and development that the area longs for.

This is followed by a direct appeal to folks to desist from stealing, cheating and other deviant behaviours that could escalate the delicacy of the fragile peace that society enjoys. This appeal is found in lines such as M mabia da zuuda ‘My bother/sister, don’t steal, Ti basimi faaʋk ‘Let’s stop cheating and confiscating other people’s properties and Kɛl ka tiraan bʋnsʋŋ an kpieŋ ‘Let’s have empathy for others.

The song ends with more rhetorical questions on the relevance of hatred and prolonged grudges,  why there’s so much hatred among mankind, and what would make someone hold a grudge against another for a lifetime.

The hallmark of the song is the artistry with which the poet renders his succinct responses to all of these questions. This is a song that could not have come at a better time in the life of Kusaug, Bawku, Ghana and the world at large. It will be relevant today and for many years to come and will definitely stand the test of time.

Listen here

We rate it 9/10!

A compleat accomplishment!

Many kudos to Blakka Tee and his team.

Enjoy!!!

Reviewed by : Dr. A. Agoswin Musah and Mr. Asitanga Akuri of UEW,Ajumako Campus.