When it comes to rap anthems in Nigeria, it doesn’t get any harder than Da Grin‘s seminal classic single ‘Pon Pon Pon‘.
Born in the studio of Sossick (one of the best rap producers), ‘Pon Pon Pon’ was released in 2009 in the heels of M.I and Naeto C‘s debut albums that entrenched the cool and laid back flow into the narrative of rap music in our dear country.
‘Pon Pon Pon’ couldn’t have been a more different single at that time to release. It’s thumping baseline and jarring bells was a sharp contrast to M.I’s flashy ‘Safe‘, and Naeto C’s super cool ‘Kini Big Deal‘.
‘Pon Pon Pon’ was a pleasant awakening to the hustler content that had long been ignored in Nigerian rap music. Da Grin weaved a tale from the fabric gotten from a rough childhood, dark street corners, hometown pride, a hustler’s state of mind, street violence, spiritual protection, and bullying his contemporaries.
While rappers at this period wanted to seduce their way into the elite class, Da Grin dragged the elite into his world, the ghetto, and painted a gripping picture of a young man fighting against all odds to make his dreams come true.
Apart from proudly claiming the streets with so much authority (backed with authenticity), and bringing it to the context of Nigerian rap music, ‘Pon Pon Pon’ is in the walls of fame for being the first artistic Yoruba rap song to make a mark on the mainstream.
Yoruba rappers had not been able to produce a rap song that met the artistic purist requirements needed to get approval from Hip Hop heads. ‘Pon Pon Pon’ was the first to get the golden stamp of approval.
Da Grin’s well stacked rhymes, clever word play and steady flow appealed to the core fan base of rap lovers.
Six years after, the track (which was originally a Gino track) is still commanding as ever. When Da Grin voice sparks to life with the opening lines “omo naija ni mi, Naija lo bi mi si. Naija ni mo ti bere si ke A, B, C” it kick started a revolution where rappers will denounce the American influenced manner of rapping, and pick up the language of the streets they grew up in, whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or pidgin.
Repping the streets, and rapping in indigenous Nigerian rap languages is the flavour of the moment now, with millions savouring the sweet music of Olamide, Phyno and Reminisce. Just remember Da Grin was the chef and ‘Pon Pon Pon’ was the first meal.
