Because I purposely stay a bit behind on Nigerian pop culture, Triumphant was my introduction to the latest talent that has grabbed the Nigerian music scene by the scruff of the neck; Bella Shmurda.

I first heard Triumphant on Olamide’s album, Carpe Diem. For now, I must state, Olamide is awesome at making albums. He has singles that may not be up to his usual standard, but when it comes to albums, He is top-tier only.

For me, I believe an album is meant to be listened through without skipping anything at first. That is how you get to know the album in-depth, weigh it properly, appreciate its production value, and see it as one body of work.
After the first couple of listens, you begin to pick favourites, delete whichever you don’t fancy, put a couple of songs on replay, and likely get into a listening pattern.

On Carpe Diem, I noticed a relaxed vibe by Olamide, but on Triumphant, he kicks things up a couple of Gear to deliver lines that are aesthetically pleasing, yet personal.
Olamide talks about how he handled losing both his parents. His admission that some of his acting out, fashion choices, and use of alcohol and marijuana were actually reactionary to his loss.

This got me thinking. Some of the “unusual” things we see people doing, some new habits they pick up, how many of such are actually a cry out for help?
How many people have you cut off for strange behaviours at the time they actually needed you the most.

Thankfully, Badoo emerged from that phase a stronger and better man.
The downside to loss though is the fact that you are never actually done. There are flashbacks and even the tiniest thing could leave you with memory and in tears.

For whoever else might be nursing a loss right now, I hope this song can show you that eventually, you will get out of this phase and my prayer is that you have the strength to go on.

Triumphant Lyrics

Can I tell you what it is?
Everyday on cruise
Bad days are gone
Now I am bigger
Porshe Ferragamo
Yeah, we cruise, oh-yeah
Ah, Versace and Gucci
I don’t even post
House on fire, call fire fighter-aya, aya-aya-aya
Ah-well, ah-well

Used to this lifestyle
Every Wednesday, ladies night (aya)
I need no lighter
Bella shmurda, I be the fire (aya)
Everyday me ganja
What doеsn’t kill me make me stronger (aya)
Bеlla Shmurda, fine boy Bella me a fighter (aya)

Man I triumphant
And I’ve been through a lot
Many people wrote me off
But God no gree
K’ole da’yan mo (aya)
Man I triumphant
And I’ve been through a lot
Many people wrote me off
But God no gree (aya)
K’ole da’yan mo oh (aya, aya)

Yeah
Omije loju mi reminiscing
Remember mama used to warn me I never listened
Some guys died, some of them dey for prison
Thank God for all the fastin’ and prayer she did
But o dun mi gan when I just start to hammer
Daddy fo shan le, mummy ku, omo mofe mad
How could it be now?
I was waitin’ for an answer
Mofe daku, mio le gbagbe gbogbo suffer t’ati suffer, huhn

Plenty dust
Dust to sand (dust to sand)
Good things never last, I understand (I understand)
Mo dye irun mi yellow
Mo tun dye e si green
People think say na swag but I was loosin’ my mind
Mo de ma nfa ‘gbo moju
Ro’nu moju
Mo de ma nmoti mo ju
Mio ni bo’ju
Gbogbo kirakita ati ikanju timo kan ju
Mummy, daddy ti lo mehn, omo mo nlati san ju

They tryna bring me down, on God, mo ti loh
Gettin’ high everyday, omo mo ti loh (oh why? oh why?)
Been the most high, na everyday we dey fly
Hustle everyday
Everyday on my grind (oh why? oh why? oh why?)

Now, God dey my matter-tter-tter
Now the boy ata-ta-ta
Devil fall yakata
Spray devil rata-ta
I break devil one fi blood si, mo fi shey pen
I put my name on history book lati ‘010

Sho’ nsheree ni?
Abi won shi’ere? awon bawo
Dope like Coke, moni share ibe bi Tao
Changin’ the narrative for the ghetto youth
O le wa lati ghetto, k’oni sense, k’ode wa classy

Man I triumphant
And I’ve been through a lot
Many people wrote me off
But God no gree
K’ole da’yan mo (aya)
Man I triumphant
And I’ve been through a lot
Many people wrote me off
But God no gree (aya)
K’ole da’yan mo oh (aya, aya)