SONG BACKGROUND

MMS by Asake featuring Wizkid is a reflective song that combines elements of spirituality, gratitude, personal struggles and life’s fleeting nature. The song reflects on life’s difficulties, the journey toward success, and the importance of faith. Asake touches on his rise in the music industry, acknowledging the part that divine guidance plays in his journey. Wizkid also reflects on challenges he has faced and the inevitability of fate.

Lyrics
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<input type="checkbox" id=toggle1><label for=toggle1><span class="annotate-lyric"> See this life thing, yeah?<br/>It's all about understanding, bro<br/>You gotta understand what you're doing<br/>You gotta-, you need a direction, bro <br/></span></label><div id=content1 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This sets the reflective tone for the song   </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle2><label for=toggle2><span class="annotate-lyric"> O ye Ọlọhun, o ye Ọlọhun<br/>Gbogbo nnkan ma lo ye Ọlọhun<br/>O ye Ọlọhun, o ye Ọlọhun, uhn-uhn<br/>Gbogbo nnkan ma lo ye Ọlọhun <br/></span></label><div id=content2 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Asake repeatedly emphasizes that God understands and He knows everything- challenges, successes and complexities in life. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle3><label for=toggle3><span class="annotate-lyric"> Ki la mu w'aye? Ko soun ta mu w'aye<br/>Ko si nnkan ta ma mu lọ<br/>Ki la mu wa aye? Ko soun ta mu w'aye<br/>Ko si nnkan ta ma mu lọ<br/>(Sit back and watch it) <br/></span></label><div id=content3 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This directly translates to "What did we bring to life? There is nothing we bring to life and nothing we will take with us when it ends." He ponders on the transient nature of life and the futility of material pursuits, acknowledging that we come into the world with nothing and leave the same way. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle4><label for=toggle4><span class="annotate-lyric"> Once upon a time, once upon a time (time, time)<br/>When I just dey try, when I just dey try (dey try) <br/></span></label><div id=content4 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He remembers the early stages of his career when he was struggling to make a name for himself, emphasizing how challenging the journey to success can be. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle5><label for=toggle5><span class="annotate-lyric"> When I drop a song, I go need to dance (dance, dance)<br/>I dey waka kurukere, I dey pay my price <br/></span></label><div id=content5 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> In previous interviews, Asake narrated how his music career started with dance.  Asake reflects on how he would release dance videos with his records with the hope of gaining more traction and listenership.  With 'I dey waka kurukere, I dey pay my price' he expresses how doing some 'funny-looking' dance moves were part of price he paid for his fame today </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle6><label for=toggle6><span class="annotate-lyric"> Then, I found a sound among all the sounds (sound)<br/>I no get name, I no say na sound (sound)<br/>Sound, sound, Mr. Money sound <br/></span></label><div id=content6 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He recalls how he discovered his unique musical style—what he calls the "Mr. Money sound"—a breakthrough moment in his career that set him apart from others. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle7><label for=toggle7><span class="annotate-lyric"> I wan dey precise, I wan dey precise, uh-huh<br/><br/>I be like militant, military, military<br/>Match on my enemies, uh-huh <br/></span></label><div id=content7 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He wants to precise and disciplined, likening himself to a soldier ready to confront obstacles or enemies. His determination is firm and unwavering. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle8><label for=toggle8><span class="annotate-lyric"> Vigilante, vigilante, forgive me Lord, I dey on Your mercy<br/>Cemetery, cemetery, people wey don die dey for cemetery, mm-mm<br/>Life e no easy, I know e no easy, you gats to dey take am easy<br/>(It's all vanity upon vanity, bro) <br/></span></label><div id=content8 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He asks God to forgive him as he reflects on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The reference to a cemetery underscores that life is short and many have already passed on. He admits that life is difficult and advises a calm, patient approach. The reference to "vanity upon vanity" ties back to the biblical idea that material pursuits are ultimately meaningless. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle9><label for=toggle9><span class="annotate-lyric"> O ye Ọlọhun, o ye Ọlọhun<br/>Gbogbo nnkan ma lo ye Ọlọhun<br/>O ye Ọlọhun, o ye Ọlọhun, uhn-uhn<br/>Gbogbo nnkan ma lo ye Ọlọhun <br/></span></label><div id=content9 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Asake repeatedly emphasizes that God understands and He knows everything- challenges, successes and complexities in life. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle10><label for=toggle10><span class="annotate-lyric"> Ki la mu w'aye? Ko soun ta mu w'aye<br/>Ko si nnkan ta ma mu lọ<br/>Ki la mu wa aye? Ko soun ta mu w'aye<br/>Ko si nnkan ta ma mu lọ <br/></span></label><div id=content10 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This directly translates to "What did we bring to life? There is nothing we bring to life and nothing we will take with us when it ends." He ponders on the transient nature of life and the futility of material pursuits, acknowledging that we come into the world with nothing and leave the same way. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle11><label for=toggle11><span class="annotate-lyric"> Wabillahi Taufiq gan-an<br/>Mo dupẹ lọwọ Ọlọhun for my city gan-an (yeah-yeah)<br/>You no fit run from who you are<br/>Man, wetin go be, man, is cast in stone<br/>Mo dupẹ lọwọ Ọlọhun ta wa sa nle o<br/>Mo ware, ware titi mo dẹ ṣaamin o<br/>A dupẹ lọwọ Ọlọhun to ko mi yọ<br/>Ka dẹ ma ṣeun ta le ṣe, ka dẹ ma yọ <br/></span></label><div id=content11 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This directly translates to: "By the grace of God, I am thankful to God for my city." Wizkid thanks God for blessing him and his city. The use of Arabic expressions like "Wabillahi Taufiq" highlights his connection to the Islamic faith. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle12><label for=toggle12><span class="annotate-lyric"> O ye Ọlọhun, o ye Ọlọhun<br/>Why mama leave me, yeah, e no long<br/>Lost myself and I found my purpose<br/>Yeah, every day, I know that I am blessed <br/></span></label><div id=content12 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Wizkid joins Asake to emphasize that God understands and He knows everything- challenges, successes and complexities in life. Wizkid also references the passing of his mother in early 2024 for the first time on a record. He explains the impact of her death on his life in these lines. Losing her has left him feeling lost, but ultimately helped him discover his purpose in life. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle13><label for=toggle13><span class="annotate-lyric"> Tonight, we go jolomi o, mm<br/>Yeah, jẹ ka joromi, uh-uh<br/>Nothing man no face, so vibe today<br/>This kain thing, say na life we dey <br/></span></label><div id=content13 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This translates to "Tonight, we will dance, let’s dance." Here, the mood shifts to a more celebratory tone as he invites others to join him in enjoying life despite its challenges. He is grateful to God for saving him. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle14><label for=toggle14><span class="annotate-lyric"> Mo dupẹ lọwọ Ọlọhun ta wa sa nle o<br/>Mo ware, ware titi mo dẹ ṣaamin o <br/></span></label><div id=content14 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He ran until he found safety and peace. One cannot escape their true self and fate is pre-determined. This speaks to the inevitability of destiny and the importance of self-acceptance. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle15><label for=toggle15><span class="annotate-lyric"> A dupẹ lọwọ ọlọun to ko mi yọ<br/>Ka dẹ ma ṣeun ta le ṣe, ka dẹ ma yọ <br/></span></label><div id=content15 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> The song closes with a call for continual gratitude and joy, regardless of life’s circumstances. </div></div>

Lyric Breakdown Video
Credits
Produced by
P. Prime
Written by
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Ololade Ahmed
Release date
July 8, 2024