Afropop singer, Ayra Starr has released a video remix of her song Bloody Samaritan with no other but the beautiful former Destiny’s Child star, Kelly Rowland.
The song which dropped on YouTube on October 6, retains its original lyrics, rhythm and that one steady background beat, but included a clearer instrumentation in general and a rhythmic rearrangement on Rowland’s verse of the song. While staying true to its Afro root, the artistes’ personalities and cultures shone through, with Ayra rendering her lyrics in Pidgin, and Rowland bringing a soulish effect to hers in a smooth blend of American-Pidgin language. And delivering an enunciated pronunciation of words like sour, shallow and Samaritan in perfect Nigerian accent.
Hear her lines: Vibeless / I’m tall like towers/ I was so so super power/ I let the good rain down like showers/ I never let them make me sour/ Cause I ain’t that big but I shallow/ Show your love or be hating in the shadows/So many comparisons am a Samaritan/ Wanna shoot me down no amo/ Am who I am I don’t know about you/ Tell no lies cause I live my truth/ Lord know I try doing what I do/ Every time I I talk it’s a business move/How about it?/Don’t you know that I’m about it/ So serious ain’t no clown shit/Meticulous to my crown shit, crown shit/ Spiritually, physically fit/ Got to give glory to Most High/ You can’t bring me down am way too high/Just like a dynamite/You’re not killing my vibe/Vibe killer …/.
Visual aesthetics is kept simple, with single and paired closeups of both artistes against triple colour backgrounds of yellow, white and black. Their synthetic hair styles were exaggerated ponytails (on Ayra) and hair threading worthy of a runway hair show.
Reactions from netizens proved the video to be an unexpected by welcomed collaboration. Hear fans of both say:
“Ayra Starr and Kelly Rowland!!!!!!!!! Ijust dey jam this song … mad collab!!!!!! Always love her vibe … you no fit kill am. – Jesse Anthony
“Phenomenal,” – Julian Ifesiokwu.
“Yooooooh this is fire,” The Trendy.
“Kelly Kelly Kelly!!! You won’t think she’s 20 years older than Ayra. Beautiful,” – African Star.
“I’m actually gonna cry, two powerful queens out here inspiring,” Tinyade Sharra.
“Goosebumps!!! Killed it,” – Sylvia Mundia.
“Kelly welcome to Africa … The Voice The Verse The Vibe,” – Wangari Wa Macharia.
“Kelly’s lyrics flows like water. See!!! Great work,” Gist Buddy.
“Beautiful and effortlessly done.” – Tianna Rose.
“A collabo we never expected,” – Darleneee Tv.