OMO MUSHIN OLOSHA
Follow me, let me take you to the city of
Guirella dreams and soul jarring realities.
Follow me, let me take you to a city where there
Is enough provisions at Ojuwoye Market but kids
Are still hawking on the streets just to have something to eat.
Follow me, let me take you to an Avenue where they padlock
Destinies on palm trees at Palm Avenue.
Follow me, let me take you to a city where everything is do or die.
If Dagrin was a son of God then that is where Jesus was crucified.
Follow me, let me take you to Akala,
Haa my brother, "oyo lo wa" if the offsprings of Shina Rambo
Notice that you're a stranger.
Follow me, let me take you to Ojurin
Where you will find teenagers, teen rangers
Initiated to become angry birds so they fly colours like power rangers.
Follow me, let me take you to Church Street
Where our mothers climb the mountains of fire just to redeem their soul
But the one they call God their father will later become their husband
Because they found another woman in the house by the time they got home.
Follow me, let me take you to Oduduwa Street
Where you will find retired OPC members
Who still tell stories of the part they played when Abiola was overturned in 93.
Follow me, let me take you to Idi Oro
Where the call of duty is gang wars so they count livescores
And if you are lucky not to be dead you will run away in exile,
now the place you use to call your area you are now an outlaw.
Follow me, let me show you how our dreams are so far from our realities
but we are still running around to make ends meet of course.
And neither are we going to accept defeat or blame the gods
For being raised in a city that takes pride in breaking the laws
I didn’t come here to be even but to find my way against the odds.
Omo Mushin Olosha, still I shall rise.
I know you all
Can perceive the anti social demeanour in me even when I try to disguise.
I know you all
Can see the dust of poverty that has settled in the inner most part of my eyes.
I know you all
Can relate to the losses I have gained and the emotions that comes
With paying the price.
But I tell you one thing.
Omo Mushin Olosha, still I shall rise.
I shall rise, not to act like as if I am better than the boys in the area
But to show my area boys what's education for me.
You see, I was raised by uncles who were king of boys on the streets like Reminisce
but wanted me to grow up in a suit and tie living like Naeto C.
So you agree,
That everywhere I go I make sure I carry the emblem of the city in my heart
For everyone to see.
So as you see me, "I know forget" 'cos where I come from only
Few Adekunles realise that their talent is the golden opportunity to leave the streets.
Omo Mushin Olosha, still I shall rise.
Still I am fly as the Eagle on the National Coat of arms.
Flying above the city when the national anthem is sung.
Our son is in the sky that is the rhythm of our mothers waist
When they come to the streets to dance.
I shall rise,
But not to fly to fail to see that Mushin is a family tree.
And if you forget your roots you will be cut of from the Ground.
Omo Mushin Olosha, Still i shall rise!
AUTHOR'S BIO:
Oludasa M. Olubade popularly known as OLUDASA is an award-winning Nigerian spoken word poet celebrated for his evocative, socially conscious, and deeply theatrical performances.
Core Themes in Oludasa's Poetry
• Socio-Political Commentary: His spoken word pieces regularly tackle the harsh realities of Nigerian youth, economic hardship, and political disillusionment, addressing topics like inflation, governance, and societal inequality.
• Pan-African Identity: He often uses imaginative metaphors—such as personifying Africa as a polygamous father with nations as wives—to explore history, colonial borders, and the urgent need for continental unity.
• Intimate and Personal Narratives: Beyond big political themes, he connects deeply with audiences through unexpected, emotional subjects, such as an acclaimed narrative poem dedicated to his well-worn sneakers named "Judah".
Notable Works and Performances
• "We Are": A powerful Pan-African piece that visualizes people of African descent globally as scattered seeds of the Baobab tree, calling for resilience and a reconnection to ancestral heritage.
• Competition Highlights: He gained widespread prominence through riveting performances in talent showcases like the De9jaspirit Talent Hunt, where he demonstrated immense versatility ranging from hard-hitting social commentary to romantic and whimsical art forms.
• "If All I Have...": A reflective, futuristic short piece capturing an artist's inner dreams and aspirations. You can listen to the track on Poetreel.
Connect with Oludasa on Instagram: @oludasa
