A Literary Review To Beautiful Nubia's "Tables Turn" by WAHAB Mubeen Ọlọrunkusẹ

 

One of the realities in the politics of Nigeria is Marxism. Nigeria has been partition into a significant class system other than differences in religion, tribe, ethnic and gender. A wide and deep dam has made us fall apart to the "Bourgeoisie"— those who control the nation's natural, economic and human resources— and "Proletariat". It's not a fallacy about how the society has been sectioned into the "haves" and the 'have-nots", and how a class believes it's their birthright to own and rule resources.

 Music as part of art has been for time immemorial a lampoon and a whistle-blower on society. Apart from its artistic and aesthetic function, music has been used to reflect and refract, encourage, empower and humanize society —only for literary minds. 

 The focus of this work is on "Tables Turn" by a Nigerian-born songwriter, music composer, and bandleader, Ṣẹgun Akinlolu with the performing name "Beautiful Nubia".

Beautiful Nubia starts the song with:

" The Young man standing laughing

But he knows where the shoe dey pain am.

So, he no fit do anything today but one day

the table will turn".

By implication, "the young man" represents adults in the nation who are unemployed but have the better qualification to occupy the top positions of "Beautyful" and "What less" leaders. The man stands and laughs sarcastically after suffering from sores that have made him vulnerable. But one day, the tables of unemployment will surely turn.

"The little children on the street

working hard so they can eat.

Dem no fit do anything but cry.

But one day the day will turn"

Just the same, "the little children on the street" who are siblings to "the young man standing" are found in street roads, high ways, and closer to bumps along express way hawking in order to find a means of sustainance. An unemployed man isn't the only victim of unemployment but his siblings and parents are included. The little children run with two legs after exotic cars of four good tyres but "Dem no fit do anything but cry". But one day, the table of hawking will turn.

"My sister with the sexy eyes

selling her body so she can live.

She no fit do anything but worry

But one day the tables will turn"

Strategically as means of survival, most females of this 21st century abide with "use what you have to get what you want". She sells taste of life for humanity for "him" because "she no fit do anything". But one day the table will turn against the pimp.

 However, Beautiful Nubia in this song tries to orientate fellow Nigerians whom he regarded as "my brothers". Sanity had been crucified by "a man" and his co-opt; how can one person have so much while so many have none?

 What are the demands of the Proletariat from the Bourgeoisie? The Nigeria-born musician went ahead to ajar what an average Nigerian calls for: a home and not a pen, quality education for his children, good meals and not sodden diets. Are these too much to ask for? You live in "mansions" where different "fancy cars" are parked without thinking about "the little man". But one day the table will turn.

 Albeit, Ṣẹgun Akinlolu tries to placate our fatigued heart with the yoruba apothegm; "A lie may stand for a thousand years but one day the truth will reign".  Eo ipso, "we must bring some sanity over here". Why? Because how can one person have so much while so many have none? Mothers put away your worries and wipe your flowing tears away. Little children listen up! We may be down but we are not out.

 In conclusion, Beautiful Nubia gives an optimistic view of the future. "We must not give up"; the young man standing, the average man working, mothers crying sisters with sexy eyes, brothers in incompleted buildings and little children on the street. "We no fit do anything today" but one day the tables will turn and your time will come.

© WAHAB Mubeen Ọlọrunkusẹ, 2021.