Bnxn & Rema – “Fi Kan We Kan” Afrobeats Lyrics Meaning & Translation

The song “Fi Kan We Kan” by Bnxn and Rema, which translates roughly to “To Compare One with Another” in English, uses Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, and colloquial slang to deliver themes of independence, self-worth, and asserting boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of the lyrics:

Fi Kan We Kan [Intro: Bnxn]

“O-Obah
Wah dem a seh?
Wan le mo kun mo le
[?] Fi’kan we’kan nkan (Ka le jo), fi’kan we’kan nkan (Fa le to)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan”

Translation and Meaning:

• Wah dem a seh? – This means, what are they saying?” in Pidgin English. It sets the tone as Bnxn questions the rumors or chatter from others
• Fi’kan we’kan nkan – This Yoruba phrase means “to exchange one thing for another” or “to compare one with another.” Bnxn is expressing the concept of value exchange, and how he weighs relationships or situations.

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[Verse 1: Bnxn]

“Oh, as you can see, something wey no dey for me
I no fit put my mind you see, if no be money wey go sweet me like vitamin C
Oh, as you can see, something wey no dey for me
If you don’t say that you’re for me, it’s no guarantee
I no fit say you be my padi
For my money, mo le ka e mo one corner
For my balance, you no straight my guy, you too kana
I enter small yawa for your matter
You dey owe me, you wan dey come”

Translation and Meaning:

• Oh, as you can see, something wey no dey for me – “As you can see, something that isn’t meant for me.” Bnxn makes it clear he’s not interested in things that aren’t beneficial or relevant.
• I no fit put my mind you see, if no be money wey go sweet me like vitamin C – “I can’t focus on it if it’s not money that makes me feel good, like vitamin C.” Here, he’s saying he prioritizes what’s valuable (e.g., money or beneficial things).
• If you don’t say that you’re for me, it’s no guarantee – He implies that without clear loyalty or support, he can’t rely on others.
• I no fit say you be my padi – “I can’t say you’re my friend.” He’s cautious about who he calls a friend, suggesting a boundary in friendships.
• For my money, mo le ka e mo one corner – “When it comes to my money, he is not keep it safe, he can ambush his enemies”
• For my balance, you no straight my guy, you too kana – “In terms of my balance, you’re not straightforward; you’re too confrontational (kana).” He’s addressing someone he finds untrustworthy and overly aggressive.
• I enter small yawa for your matter – “I ran into some issues because of you.” Bnxn hints at problems caused by this person.
• You dey owe me, you wan dey come – “You owe me, but now you want to come around.” He’s frustrated with someone who’s indebted to him but still seeks his company.

[Chorus: Rema]

“Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (Why you wan dey?)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan”

Translation and Meaning:

• Fi’kan we’kan nkan – In Yoruba, this phrase means “to compare one with another” or “to exchange one thing for another.”

Also Read: BNXN – “Phenomena” Afrobeats Lyrics Meaning and Translation

[Verse 2: Rema]

“Pay me my money, make I ball small
Stop all the long talk, I no dey forum
Me I wan sungbalaga with my day ones, my day ones
I no fit let my enemies shame me gan
Na why me I no dey rest, I always dey work
Coward, if I say I wan lazy gan
I go pick money before I pick my babe call
Because e dey stop nonsense, you dey hate on me how market?
If I fall, omo, make I bend
Say, you get fake dreads, but you wan give me advice about patience, are you making sense?
Stand fit before I change my color, color
I dey talk, you dey talk, shut up
Me wey be werey, I no be bolo
Shebi, you be mama Ebo? l’m fed up, uh”

Translation and Meaning:

• Pay me my money, make I ball small – “Pay me my money so I can enjoy myself a bit.” He’s asking to be paid so he can live freely.
• Stop all the long talk, I no dey forum – “Stop all the talking; I’m not here to debate.” He’s saying he doesn’t have time for idle talk.
• Me I wan sungbalaga with my day ones, my day ones – “I want to relax with my close friends.” “Sungbalaga” implies chilling or partying.
• I no fit let my enemies shame me gan – “I can’t let my enemies embarrass me.” This shows his determination to succeed.
• Na why me I no dey rest, I always dey work – “That’s why I don’t rest; I’m always working.” He’s constantly hustling to avoid failure.
• Coward, if I say I wan lazy gan – “Accusing his enemies as cowards, saying laziness isn’t an option for him”.
• I go pick money before I pick my babe call – “I’ll choose money over answering my girl’s call.” Money is his top priority.
• Because e dey stop nonsense, you dey hate on me how market? – “Because money stops nonsense; if you’re hating on me, how’s that working out?” He’s implying that financial success silences his critics.
• If I fall, omo, make I bend – “If I fail, omo I can’t fall.” He’s resilient, ready to adapt to challenges.
• Say, you get fake dreads, but you wan give me advice about patience, are you making sense? – “You have fake dreads but want to lecture me on patience? Are you serious?” He questions the credibility of someone giving him advice.
• Stand fit before I change my color, color – “Stay steady before I change my approach.” He warns others to stay grounded as he’s prepared to adapt or change as needed.
• I dey talk, you dey talk, shut up – “I’m talking, and you’re talking—be quiet.” He’s emphasizing his authority.
• Me wey be werey, I no be bolo – “I’m wild; I’m not naïve.” He asserts that he’s tough, not easily fooled.
• Shebi, you be mama Ebo? I’m fed up, uh – “Are you like Mama Ebo? I’m done.” “Mama Ebo” references someone who meddles, indicating he’s tired of such behavior.

Also Read: Afrobeat vs Afrobeats: Everything You Need To know About Africa’s Biggest Music Export

Bnxn & Rema – Fi Kan We Kan Full Lyrics

[Intro: Bnxn] O-Obah
Wah dem a seh?
Wan le mo kun mo le
[?] Fi’kan we’kan nkan (Ka le jo), fi’kan we’kan nkan (Fa le to)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan

[Verse 1: Bnxn] Oh, as you can see, something wey no dey for me
I no fit put my mind you see, if no be money wey go sweet me like vitamin C
Oh, as you can see, something wey no dey for me
If you don’t say that you’re for me, it’s no guarantee
I no fit say you be my padi
For my money, mo le ka e mo one corner
For my balance, you no straight my guy, you too kana
I enter small yawa for your matter
You dey owe me, you wan dey come

[Chorus: Rema] Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (Why you wan dey?)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan (You wan dey)
Fi’kan we’kan nkan, fi’kan we’kan nkan