O’Kenneth and Xlimkid bring raw honesty to their track ‘SIMPLE’ from the album PAIN IN GLORY. The duo, who also wrote and produced the song, mixes gritty storytelling with a steady beat. They talk about their struggles and the hustle it took to rise above their past.
Released: October 27, 2023
SIMPLE
O’Kenneth | Xlimkid • From “PAIN IN GLORY”
PAIN IN GLORY’s SIMPLE Akan Lyrics English Meaning
Henry Boakye and Kenneth Opoku, the lyricists, use vivid lines like ‘If you hide away, they’ll pop you like a pimple’ to stress the risks of inaction. The performers reflect on their journey, mentioning humble beginnings wrapped in their mother’s ‘kootinto’ cloth, and how hard work changed their lives.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Wo Hyɛ A Yɛ Pae Wo Sɛ PimpleThings weren’t simple; if you hide away, they’ll pop you like a pimple.
Manyɛ Me Ho Bi A Anka Me Nya Hwan Abɔ Me Din MpoIf I hadn’t made something of myself, who would even mention my name?
Me Daso Hyɛ Me Maame Ntomam KootintoI was still wrapped in the folds of my mother’s ‘kootinto’ cloth.
Menyaa Hwana Abɔ Me Din Mpo AhI didn’t have anyone to call out my name back then.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Take A Risk It’s As SimpleThings weren’t simple; take a risk, it’s as simple as that.
Bɔ Woho Mmɔden Na Akoraa Bi Antra W’anintɔnWork hard so no one can ever look down on you.
Ɛntena Hɔ Mma No Nsɛe Ɛma No Ntete W’ani SoDon’t just sit there and let it all go to waste right before your eyes.
Mabrɛ Na Manya Na Wose Mekyerɛ Me Ho Deɛ AaI’ve worked hard to get this, so why do you say I’m just showing off?
Deɛ Ɛkaa Mensa No M’ani SɔI’m grateful for whatever little I can get my hands on.
Deɛ Ɛnyɛ Me Dea Menhuri NsɔIf it doesn’t belong to me, I won’t reach out to grab it.
Mmrɛ Bi Na Etwa Mu Na Me Hwee NkɔThere were times that passed when I had absolutely nothing.
Na Mefa Afikyire Hɔ Kɔ Pɛ Biribi SɔI’d head to the backyard just to find something to keep me going.
Me Di Gari Wie A Na Yɛ FufutɔOnce I’m done eating my ‘gari’, then we’d mash some ‘fufu’.
Na Yɛn San Nso Kɔkɔ Kɔ Su KɔmThen we’d go back and just cry from the hunger.
Me Dwene Ho Sɛ Dabɛn Na Mɛduru HɔI kept wondering exactly when I’d finally make it.
Madeserɛdeɛ No Beduru Soro HɔMy prayers will surely reach all the way to heaven.
Ɔbra Bi A Ɛyɛ Bɔ Na Ɔbra No Etwa W’akyiri A Ayi Wo YaA difficult life leaves scars on you once it’s finally over.
Ɔbra No Ani Adan Sa Ɛma Wotumi Ma Wo Yɛ BosaaWhen life takes a turn, it forces you to live on borrowed time.
Yɛbaa No Na Ɔmo San Adikafoɔ KoraaWhen we arrived, they were already the ones leading the way.
Yɛbaa Ne Yɛnnya Bi A Mopɛ MokaWe showed up with nothing, and that’s when you started talking.
Ade Foforɔ Bi Ani Yɛ TrokaaA new dawn is finally starting to look bright.
Nso Obronii No Ɔtee No Dɛ Ɛna Otia Mu AsakaaEven the ‘obronii’ liked the sound and started vibing to Asakaa.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Wo Hyɛ A Yɛ Pae Wo Sɛ PimpleThings weren’t simple; if you hide away, they’ll pop you like a pimple.
Manyɛ Me Ho Bi A Anka Me Nya Hwan Abɔ Me Din MpoIf I hadn’t made something of myself, who would even mention my name?
Me Daso Hyɛ Me Maame Ntomam KootintoI was still wrapped in the folds of my mother’s ‘kootinto’ cloth.
Menyaa Hwana Abɔ Me Din Mpo AhI didn’t have anyone to call out my name back then.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Take A Risk It’s As SimpleThings weren’t simple; take a risk, it’s as simple as that.
Bɔ Woho Mmɔden Na Akoraa Bi Antra W’anintɔnWork hard so no one can ever look down on you.
Ɛntena Hɔ Mma No Nsɛe Ɛma No Ntete W’ani SoDon’t just sit there and let it all go to waste right before your eyes.
Mabrɛ Na Manya Na Wose Mekyerɛ Me Ho Deɛ AaI’ve worked hard to get this, so why do you say I’m just showing off?
Run This Hsit Back Let Me Hop On It YeahRun this sh#t back, let me hop on it, yeah.
Same Thing That I Do With The JetIt’s the same thing I do when I’m on a jet.
Whole Lotta Risk Took Whole Lotta LTook a whole lot of risks and took a whole lot of losses.
Yeah Thought I Was Still In My BedYeah, I thought I was still dreaming in my bed.
Nah Nah I Went Through HellNo, no, I actually went through hell.
So Many Times I FellThere were so many times that I fell down.
I Was Breaking Outta My Shell I Was Going All Alone No HelpI was breaking out of my shell, doing it all alone with no help.
Ɛyɛ Mo Nwanwa ScreamingYou’re all surprised and screaming now.
Now I’m On Your TVNow you’re seeing me right on your TV.
Nah It Wasn’t Easy Way Back I Was Screaming Free MeNo, it wasn’t easy; back then, I was screaming to be set free.
Yeah Don’t Be Silly Talking Crazy You Don’t Know MeYeah, don’t be silly and talk crazy; you don’t even know me.
Lighter No Gye Pah Bɛ Gye Grabba No Na Kɔ Mu BiThe lighter sparks up; come get the ‘grabba’ and join in.
Now It’s Getting Freaky Freaky Out Here With My Killi KilliNow things are getting wild out here with my crew.
YGA Jiggy Jiggy Asakaa Nnwom No Ni YeahYGA is looking fly; this is that Asakaa music, yeah.
Half On A Minimum Wage Yeah I Want Biggie BiggieI used to be on half a minimum wage, but now I want the big life.
Yedi No Gyaso Gyaso With A Bit Of Chilly Chilly Yeah Yeah YeahWe’re serving it up hot with a bit of a chill vibe, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Wo Hyɛ A Yɛ Pae Wo Sɛ PimpleThings weren’t simple; if you hide away, they’ll pop you like a pimple.
Manyɛ Me Ho Bi A Anka Me Nya Hwan Abɔ Me Din MpoIf I hadn’t made something of myself, who would even mention my name?
Me Daso Hyɛ Me Maame Ntomam KootintoI was still wrapped in the folds of my mother’s ‘kootinto’ cloth.
Menyaa Hwana Abɔ Me Din Mpo AhI didn’t have anyone to call out my name back then.
Sh#t Wasn’t Simple Take A Risk It’s As SimpleThings weren’t simple; take a risk, it’s as simple as that.
Bɔ Woho Mmɔden Na Akoraa Bi Antra W’anintɔnWork hard so no one can ever look down on you.
Ɛntena Hɔ Mma No Nsɛe Ɛma No Ntete W’ani SoDon’t just sit there and let it all go to waste right before your eyes.
Mabrɛ Na Manya Na Wose Mekyerɛ Me Ho Deɛ AaI’ve worked hard to get this, so why do you say I’m just showing off.
Mea No Me Huri SɔIt’s me, and I’m reaching for it.
SIMPLE Music Video
What does ‘SIMPLE’ mean? The lyrics talk about perseverance and the challenges of rising from nothing. O’Kenneth and Xlimkid deliver a powerful message in their Asakaa style, showing that success isn’t handed out easily.