Meaning of “Blicky” by BURUKLYN BOYZ
The word “Buruklyn” reads as if it is colloquial spelling of Brooklyn, which is a part of New York City and one of the most important localities as far as the world of hip-hop is concerned. However, the artists at hand actually hail from Nairobi, which is the capital of Kenya. More specifically, they are from a neighborhood which itself is called Buruburu, thus further explaining the nature of their group name.
That said, as implied by its moniker, Burukyln Boyz is an act that has been heavily influenced by the American rap scene. That is not only clearly visible by how Ajay and Mr Right present themselves but also in terms of how the lyrics of this song read, despite the fact that we cannot specifically decipher all that’s being put forth, as some line and phrases are rendered in a Swahili dialect that even Google can’t interpret.
Or put more bluntly, what we are met with here is standard rap braggadocio in a bilingual form. If not for the phrases that are rendered in Swahili, this song can be taken as your standard mainstream rap fare. For example, the title, as generally understood, is a colloquialism for a handgun.
And likewise, it appears that the artists have set out to portray themselves as being along the lines of gangstas. Moreover, Ajay and Mr Right get to boasting of how they’re superior to their rivals, which is another thematic standard we tend to find in rap music.
“Tu-tu-tunaburn hawa mambleina ka zigi
I just do it, ju umepiga ticky
I keep it one hundred hamfiki hata fifty
Send them shots tunapull up na Blicky
I-I ain’t social mi si Leakey, mafeds wakiuliza, mi si digi
Mi si Mouse, mi si Mickey, boy I get paid na, hii mziki (Yoh)
Tunaburn hawa mbleina kama zigi (Aha, aha)
I just do it, ju nimepiga ticky
I keep it one hundred hamfiki hata fifty
Send them shots tunapull up na Blicky
I ain’t social, mi si Leakey, mafeds wakiuliza, mi si digi
Mi si mouse, mi si Mickey, boy I get paid na, hii mziki”
In all, this track is further illustrative of a phenomenon we have chimed in on before, i.e. how rap music is the most influential and arguably widespread genre in the world these days. Unlike rock music for instance, when international artists get to imitating American rappers, they do so all the way down to the style of dress, mannerisms and lyrical nature of their songs. And so it is with Buruklyn Boyz, who aren’t actually from the ‘hoods of NYC but rather being an entire world away, if you will.
Release of “Blicky”
BURUKLYN BOYZ released “Blicky” on May 20 of 2022 as part of their debut studio album titled “EAST MPAKA LONDON”, marking a significant milestone for the pair. The song is listed as the 7th track on the said album.
Credits
“Blicky” was written by the Kenyan duo Mr Right and Ajay (KE) while its production was handled by MENVCE.
