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Changanya

by Nabalayo

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1.
Mtoni 01:59
Mother of the living waters, Carry our troubles away, Take all of those who would harm us, Smile upon us as we pray. See how they took from our land, They even took you away. Come back to us Mami Wata, Take all our troubles away Come back to us Mami Wata, Let it flood let it rain.
2.
Fireplay 02:45
Don't look in the fire too long, Or else you might see him, He will sing you his sad song, You won't resist it. Don't play with fire my dear, I've always told you, Seems like you never learn, He'll come for you. Don't give him a name my darling, He won't let go of you, If he should stay my darling, He will take hold of you. If only, (playing with fire) You could see what I see,(you could see what), (playing with fire) If only you could see what I see, (playing with fire) If only ,You could see what I, (playing with fire) See.
3.
Macheo 03:30
Usishangae unavuna ulichopanda shauri yako. (Don't be surprised you are reaping what you sowed. Woe unto you) Mbona macho, macho mapana, hapo awali mlijifanya popo. (Why are you wide eyed, when you previously pretended to be bats) Rinaika Jogolo, Nairobi nahula mizinga ha! (find a Giriama person to translate this for you properly. This verse alludes to the cock crowing at dawn and the start of a journey and psyching up for the journey ahead ) Acha nyumbu avuke Mara hata mamba wakitazama. (Let the wildebeest cross the Mara even if the crocodiles are watching) Achaneni na mitandao nenda kavune mlichopanda. (stop going [gossiping] on the internet and go reap what you sowed.) Rinaika jogolo, rinaika jogolo. Nairobi nahula mizinga ha! Haiya rero haiya, na zilale koma ha! Haiya, kuna mwana wa simba , nahirika mizinga sijali. (for proper translation reach out to a Giriama person. this section is paying homage to the ancestral spirits before embarking on a journey and singing self praises to psyche one self for the journey ahead) Kavikale! Huo hahe huo!
4.
Don't Keep me waiting, Just give me what belongs to me. And I'll be on my way, I will return to the ocean. You stick to red and I'll stick to blue, Just be sure to tell yourself the truth. Nitarudi kwangu Baharini, (I will go back to my ocean) Nikizama huku mi sitoki, (Once I submerge I will not leave) Unalia nini, (What are you crying for) Machozi sipendi, (I don't like tears) Wewe mwana wa gorofa (You child of storey buildings) Yes I can smell a storm again. It's time to chase a hurricane. This feels like home, it feels like . . . You kept me waiting, Now I must return to the ocean. Nitarudi kwangu Baharini, Nikizama huku mi sitoki, Unalia nini, Machozi sipendi, Wewe mwana wa gorofa Nitarudi Kwangu baharini Machozi sipendi mimi.
5.
Retrograde 03:02
Vulcan, Father, Don't let me down don't let me down, Make it, hotter, let's burn it all down to the ground. If it's war you want, War is what you'll get. You can't take the crown, From a ram's head. Vulcan, don't let me down. Make it hotter, let's burn it all down. Yemoja, Our mother, Don't let me down don't let me down, Take me , to water, When every thing is said and done. If it's war you want, War is what you'll get. You can't take the crown, From a ram's head. If it's war you want, War is what you'll get. You can't take the crown, From a Aries' head. Vulcan, Father, Don't let me down don't let me down, Yemoja, Our mother, Don't let me down don't let me down, Make it, hotter, Let's burn it all down to the ground. Take me , to water, When every thing is said and done.
6.
You told me you want my love oh and it's what you turned your back on cry me a river. cry me a river. You thought you would have your fun then run back into my arms cry me a river. cry me a river. Maybe you should make yourself useful to me one last time and cry me a river. cry me a river. Baby boy oh cry me a river Like the Amazon or the Great Nile like the Volta. Cry me a river. Lia machozi nipikie chai. (Cry tears so I can brew tea) Lia machizi niende shambani. (cry tears so I can go farm) Lia machozi nitateka maji. (cry tears I'll fetch the water) Lia kama mvua ya Budalangi. (cry like the rain from Budalangi) You told me you want my love oh and it's what you turned your back on cry me a river. cry me a river. You thought you would have your fun then run back into my arms cry me a river. cry me a river. cry me a river. Baby boy oh cry me a river Like the Amazon or the Great Nile like the Volta. Cry me a river. Baby cry me a river.
7.
Old friend 03:51
I knew you were coming, I always knew, So I sat around, And I waited for you. But you took your sweet time, Now I feel alive, And I don't want to go. ah The sound of your voice, It shatters my soul, It's like ten thousand angels Singing in contrary motion. How deep you are just like the ocean. I tried to run, Far away from you, But you're all around. I can't escape, There's a thousand ways to meet you, I close my eyes , I see you, so in time . . . you will be mine . . .
8.
I took a chance I blew you kisses And you blew them right back Now here we are Underneath the stars Your hand in my hand What a perfect night To be blowing kisses Drown me in those eyes Don't want to survive (drown me in those eyes) (and blow me kisses) I took a chance (she took a chance) I blew you kisses (and she blew you kisses) And you blew them right back I didn't see it coming Hit me like a truck Then like a gentle breeze I feel like a rose Swaying with the wind Drown me in those eyes Don't want to survive
9.
Tamaa, (desire) Taswira yake imenizidi, (the thought of it overwhelms me) Labda safari itanifaa , (maybe a journey will be good for me) labda itanipa utulivu, (maybe it will give me peace) Nasikia sauti, (I hear a sound) Gari ya moshi, (train) Inaenda sana, (moving with momentum) Nibebe, (carry me) nirudishe nyumbani, (take me back home) Rudi rudi rudia, (Go back, go back, repeat) rudia nipate usalama, (Repeat so that I feel safety) Nilidhani Upweke unanifaa, (I thought loneliness suited me) lakini upweke umenizidi, ( but loneliness has overwhelmed me) Nasikia sauti, Gari ya moshi, Inaenda sana, Nibebe, nirudishe nyumbani, Lia, lia, tulia, (cry, cry , calm down) Dunia kafanana jahanamu, (the world now resembles hell) Kovu nazo zajifichua, (and scars are now revealing themselves) Labda safari itanifaa (maybe a journey will be good for me) Nasikia sauti, Gari ya moshi, Inaenda sana, Nibebe, nirudishe nyumbani, Gari ya moshi inaenda sana, Nibebe! (carry me)
10.
Comfort me Maseningoa mama ningija hinafa, Mbeleva zangu, Maseningoja, (for proper translation reach out to members of the Pokomo community. This verse alludes to a woman expressing the pain of carrying a child and labour) Hoiye, Nibebe (Carry me) Sijiwezi (I am unable to handle myself) Comfort ye My people comfort ye Comfort me My people comfort me Hoiye, Nibebe Sijiwezi Maseningoa mama ningija hinafa, Mbeleva zangu, Maseningoja.
11.
Domo Domo 02:46
Watu wengine lao domo domo tu (some people just love to flap their traps) Kuchunguza maneno yasiyo wahusu (investigating things that do not concern them) Watu wengine lao ni udaku (Some people love gossip) Midomo yao haichoki katu (their mouths do not get tired ever) Watu wengine lao ni udaku (Some people love gossip) Midomo yao hawafyati katu (their mouths never shut up ever) Watu wengine lao domo domo tu.
12.
Tinnitus 03:36

about

Nabalayo’s debut album which features the new Changanya genre pioneered by the artist herself. Both the album and the genre share a name to mark the dawn of a new era in the Kenyan music scene.

It is an expression of individuality and a celebration of African cultural expression.

The album tells 12 short stories based on the experience of Nabalayo, each of which is a whirlwind of emotions.

The music is grounded in local idioms, relying heavily on ostinatos, intricate rhythms, prominent percussion sections, flowing melodies and counterpoint.

credits

released November 9, 2020

Written, produced and performed by Nabalayo

Art by Nabalayo

Mixed and mastered by Thumbs Music

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Nabalayo Nairobi, Kenya

Nabalayo is a Nairobi-based music maker, illustrator and East African Griot.

Her music is composed in the Changanya genre that she pioneered.

The music she makes is ethereal, combining light airy vocals with complex African idioms and heavy electronic sounds to give her listeners an experience that is out of this world.
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