I rarely have crushes and when I do it is fatal. Right now, I’m heads over heels with the radio queen from Mombasa. Don’t you just love those people who can speak English and Kiswahili fluently in equal measure?  Well Sanaipei Tande has totally got me at Amina this time.

Let’s begin with how powerful the lyrics are; how we should forget the hurt we’ve been through in the past. Interpreting at a personal level, this is in the context of someone who is at his death bed or dead already and just wants to clearly pass a message to family and friends that he has no time to right his wrongs. He just hopes on this last day they remember him for his good and not for any hurt or misfortunes he caused. He hopes that they wipe their tears and imagine that his spirit still lives on with them.  As he takes his final rest he just says Amen/ Amina/ Amin which from my father’s teachings from back in the day simply means ‘So shall it be.’

It has been a while since I heard a song so powerful and I tear up a little bit every time I play it because, it makes so much sense. Reminds me of Danny Boy written by Frederic Weatherly. I believe if a dead person were to speak, he’d be the most honest person because we live in so much fear and under so many rules that expressing our most sincere feelings could spark quite some heat.  In that case, only the grave knows the truth.

So imagine that was just the lyrics. You should definitely hear how the whole song sounds well thought out.  Sana does not abandon her Rn’B signature. It is an orgasmic interaction of acoustics garnished with a signature Kenyan beat. This girl is literally on fire, Alicia Keys should meet her. The instrumentals are what paradise should feel like.

Do you think she left it at that? This fire mama went ahead to top it up with the most angelic voice. She glides on every note and tickles your G-spot with the riffs letting your ears surrender to her charm. It’s like she oozes honey when singing. See why my crushes are fatal?

The year is still very young, but before something else this soulful comes along, we have Song of the year 2017. Have a Listen.

AMINA BY SANAIPEI TANDE

AMINA by SANAIPEI TANDE (LYRICS)
Aaaahh aahh…
Oh mama panguza chozi,
Usiyatafakari vita vya juzi
Sikupenda kwangu kukuudhi ila tu ujana haubagui
Dada panguza chozi,
Usijitie lawama kwa uzushi,
Kwani vita kati ya mandugu si ya firauni.

Wakati hauni ruhusu mi,
Kurekebisha yangu madhambi,
Kwa hivyo nawaomba siku hii,
Mnikumbikie mazuri.
Mi nataka mcheke siku ya mwisho,
Usiwe mpweke mi bado niko,
Namshukuru mola kwa kuwepo,
Nasema Amina

Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina

Oh mpenzi panguza chozi,
Usijijaze chuki wewe moyoni,
Hasira hasara, yote ya mwenyezi.
Oh rafiki panguza chozi,
Usijiumize we kichwa na maswali,
Nitazame sana pendo ila mkono wa buriani

Wakati hauni ruhusu mi,
Kurekebisha yangu madhambi,
Kwa hivyo nawaomba siku hii,
Mnikumbikie mazuri.
Mi nataka mcheke siku ya mwisho,
Usiwe mpweke mi bado niko,
Namshukuru mola kwa kuwepo,
Nasema Amina

Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina

Oh Sina sina sina sina,
Nafasi nyingine, ya kuwa na wewe,
Nasikitika, mi naumia.
Lakini nina nina nina nina,
Shukrani moyoni, ya kuwa miongoni,
Mwa walionienzi mi.

Wakati hauni ruhusu mi,
Kurekebisha yangu madhambi,
Kwa hivyo nawaomba siku hii,
Mnikumbikie mazuri.
Mi nataka mcheke siku ya mwisho,
Usiwe mpweke mi bado niko,
Namshukuru mola kwa kuwepo,
Nasema Amina

Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina Amina
Amina Amina

Aaahhh aaahhhh…