Below are the full translated lyrics for the MAISHA MAGUMU (Hard Life) album by WAKALI WADOWNTOWN.

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1 MAISHA MAGUMU

Chorus:
Our life is tough
Government should recognize
Our life is tough
The world should know
Our life is tough
Even you should know
Our life is tough

(Shavu)
It’s been a long journey since the year 2000
When I came to the city for work
In Bongoland* life is tough
Everything is expensive
The way I’m hustling
You would feel sorry for me
Those who are rich treat us however they want
We are the last to sleep
And the first to wake up
The last to sleep
And the first to wake up

(Ziggy)
Border to border
As a soldier I am ready
As a prisoner I have learned many things
I have come across both good and bad teachers
I wish I could have known that life would beat me like a corporal
I would not have left school
Now I have to struggle and think critically
So that I can succeed
So let me struggle more and move faster like a spear
The elders said, ‘life is just like a lottery’
The one to gain will gain and the one to lose must lose
But I don’t like to lose
I want us all to gain
When Amina and Devota see me they will be proud
This is a hot fire
People everywhere are scared
But I am scared of no one
Nobody can do anything to me
The life I live is lesson enough
Yeah it’s lesson enough

Chorus

(Ninja)
It has been many years now
And I have never gone back home
More than nine years
And I know my family misses me everyday
They would love to hear about me
Just know that I am struggling through
Since I came to Dar es Salaam city
My problems have multiplied
I’m living as if I’m not real
In the morning I smoke bangi** instead of drinking tea
Chased by the police half to death
Now jail has become my holiday
The street is my ghetto
Thieves and harlots are my friends
But I’m leaving all of this in the hands of God
In the hands of God

(Hamisi)
Street life is about losing and gaining
My friends should be careful
So that they are never lost
I’m real and that’s why I’m angry
I show no mercy
If I have a knife and I will not be scared to stab you
I will keep searching
I won’t give up
I am searching endlessly

Chorus

(Ema)
Praise God
You saved my life
I was about to die
I have encountered so many problems
I made dangerous deals
I asked myself, ‘Is life a miracle or have I offended God?’
I started to hustle
Forcing life
Ready to accept any deal even if it was criminal
Life did not feel real
Life is hard so we need to use our heads
Friends are taken into prison
Where once they are sick there is no treatment
Life is tough and we are angry
Once you come to our side
We will show you
Yeah we will show you

(Shalo)
It’s true that life is lottery
There is gaining and losing
I’ve been searching for a long time
But still I haven’t found success
Still I’m fighting
Still not yet successfully

Chorus

* Dar es Salaam
* marijuana

2 MAMA

Chorus:
Mama stop crying
These are all part of the world’s challenges
But I’ll be back
I’ll be back home

Mama stop crying
These are all part of the world’s challenges
But I’ll be back
I’ll be back home

(Ninja)
Thinking about this up and down
I left my parents far away
I came to the city searching for wealth
Will I return back home alive?
Or in a coffin or without all of my limbs?
So many questions are on my mind
I’ve left my relatives far away
And here in city the situation is worse
Because no one cares about me
But I am still searching
Trying to gain something
The situation is still unclear
With each step I make I feel like I’m being pulled back
People have no mercy
They spy on me even if I’ve done nothing wrong
They have tried to burn me
To go back home
That’s the best idea
But I have no money
Don’t cry Mama
Leave all this to God
One day I’ll be back
I’ll be back home

Chorus

Bridge:
Mama I left home
It doesn’t mean I don’t value you
A hard life made me leave
People in street hate me
That I am jobless
I am bankrupt with nothing to do
Mama that’s why I’m talking
I came to the city searching for life
So that you could also get ahead
I came to the city searching for life
So that you could also get something

(Ema)
I am hustling every morning
Searching for cash
As I am roaming around
There are people who are hunting me
Like a bird to a trap
A hammer to a chisel
I should consult the scripture
I’m sure I’ll pass over the forests and rivers
For all those who are enjoying this life
I don’t care about you
Listen to this song
You are only pretending to be a king
Mama of mine
Wherever you are
Please listen to this survivor

Chorus

(Ninja)
Pray for me
That one day I’ll be back
I am sure you feel the pain of me being far away
Sorry mama it took time to find your verse
All that I think about is you Mama
I have never stopped recalling your vision
You are better in my mind
Everything I do
I do it for you Mama
Maximizing flavor
Your son
I have a dream to be back home
Because in Bongoland* there is only confusion
I must make fake deals to get food
Life is never clear
Don’t panic
When you hear that your son is smoking ganja**
I have not lost life’s foundation
I always get what I need through proper means
Because I’m afraid to get burnt
Yeah don’t be afraid to live like a slave
Because that is the way toward kingship
I was born a man
To reach my goals I must work hard
Work hard

Chorus

3 MREMBO WAKWELI

(Ema)
Moonlight of mine I need you
I’m still in dark
Please light my way so that I do not fall
I’m waiting for my day from almighty God
I’m praying to him to ease my suffering
You have been blessed with a body, manners and face
Please don’t leave alone like a newborn baby without a breast
Seasons are rushing by but I can’t catch them
Once I see you I no longer need food
You have all the qualifications my heart desires
You have passed the test
You’re in my heart

Chorus:
Beautiful girl
Come here so that I can pick you
Please parents accept my choice
Avoid the death of your daughter’s heart
Beautiful girl
please show up
I’m ready to deliver my love

Bridge:
Even though I understand that you truly love me
Parents are opposing us
They hate to see us together
And that’s why I’m hurting
It’s not a secret
I can’t hide my love for you
It’s not a secret
I can’t hide my love for you
I love you girl

(Shavu)
She’s got a body that attracts everybody
I’ll go crazy if she’s taken by another
We match like socks and shoes
We are like Beyonce and Jigga*
None can be like us
We’re supposed to be strong
Please don’t give the devil a chance
Fat angel
With the figure number eight
We won’t be separated until death
Let them talk but our love will be everlasting
Our love will be everlasting

Chorus

(Ema)
I wish I could be with you forever
You hurt my heart
When I sleep you always come through in my dreams
Once I wake up I’m overwhelmed
As I keep thinking about you
I have no appetite
I ask myself, ‘When am I going to be with you?’
Up until now you were at school
But now you have graduated
You have beautiful voice
Like birds in a garden
Once I hear it I assume I’m in heaven
It’ll be so sad if I go to hell
Yeah if I go to hell

Chorus

* Jay Z

4 MTU WAKWELI

Chorus:
Give us respect if you’re for real
Standard MCs should respect the truth
They’re afraid
MCs are worried
The microphones are heating up

Give us respect if you’re for real
Standard MCs should respect the truth
They’re afraid
MCs are worried
The microphones are heating up

(Shavu)
Sister listen to this rocking track
Just like Missy Eliot or Super Duppa
You eat chicken and once you’re through you through with it
You throw away the bones
MCs I don’t pretend
I smash even the bones
Fans don’t run away from me
If you’re running away from me
It means you’re afraid of me
Whether in terms of my rhymes
Or my body size like Big Poppa
I won’t bore you with this hip-hop style
Hip-hop hardcore
That’s what’s flowing
I thank God for everything even though I know nothing about my future
Today is my time
You’re a out of it in terms of rhymes and clothes
Watch me on TV
Listen to me on CD
I am a simple MC
I hurt my head composing tracks that are for real
Everyday my audience is growing
That’s my experience
I don’t like to be jobless
Composing of rhymes is my favorite work
I handle microphone like Jigga*
That’s how it’s done

Chorus

(Baraka)
Now I’m avenging my honor
Give me the way
They don’t have a chance
No one else can stand it
Listen to this verse
This is a car not a bicycle
And it is coming fast
When my enemies see my face they are confused
They want to hurt me but they fail
These sharp rhymes make them crazy
I don’t use supernatural power
I use my verses and hot rhymes
I use any way I can to achieve
I don’t ask what belongs to who
I crash into anyone who crosses me
I’m well known not only in Bongoland**
But also in U.S.A., U.K. and South Africa up to Somalia

(Ninja)
Underground revolution
If it’s possible it must be done
Enemies must testify
And accept that hip-hop is strong
Call me Half call me Crazy you can’t do anything to me
You’re coming together to evict me from my city
Still you can’t make it happen
I’m the best at composing rhymes
Like positive and negative charges
Yeah this is my year!

Chorus

(Ema)
From shy town***
Music is in the blood stream
Just listen
Don’t bring opposition
I won’t accept that
Hey party yeah
And cheer me up
When I’m on the stage I hate stupidity
I usually dismiss those who judge me
I hate those who dis me
I love who believe in me
Even if you visit a witch doctor
I will still get my money
Many of you are hypocrites
You said we would never rise up
But now we have respect
You tried to block our success
Still we became winners
We’re still marching forward
We’re still marching forward

Chorus

*Jay Z
*Dar es Salaam
**Shinyanga region

5 HARAKATI MASKANI

Chorus:
Movement on the streets
one step out one step in
Barely moving forward as if we’re in a war
Movement on the streets
one step out one step in
Barely moving forward as if we’re in a war

(Shavu)
I have a degree in hip hop
From a street education
I’m a high ranking soldier with outstanding qualifications
I’m competent in every sector
What’s up haters
Better stop rapping
Let me give you rhymes
I’m in control
They are soft and sold like bubblegum
Just ask Nicky Mpishi*

(Ninja)
I’m unpredictable half crazy
If you want to destroy my life
Wish bad luck on me
Remember the unit is powerful
I break the sixth commandment without any fear
Dear Lord in time you will judge the world
I pray I will not perish
I am part of humankind but I have different vices
I am not like them
As they are adulterers and sodomizers
See the way they are punished
But still they’ve refused to stop sinning
They’re imagining that they will survive
Until forever they will not be saved
Until forever they will not be saved

Chorus

(Kisu)
Everyone knows that life is war
As we fight in streets
Before you’ve died you’re not yet created
In streets we are troubled
Before the car turns a corner it indicates
Otherwise a driver must be careful he does not crash into a wall
What is the different between computer and calculator?
Who cares the Europeans manufactured both
Which do you prefer between nausea and vomiting?
You eat like a king while I eat crap(?)

(Baraka)
I am faster than an airplane
Whether you throw a stone or a bottle at me
I will not be scared
No matter what happens you will end up saluting me
Otherwise I will beat you and I’ll be slow to stop
I am in street with a beer just blazing
Busting hot rhymes
My friends are down with me
We’re blazing on the street
Others come and we run away
Open fire Whoa
Open fire Whoa
They are all shrinking away as if they are HIV positive
We are enjoying ourselves
We are chilling
We are talking slang
They are shaking
They are dancing
They are playing my songs
They are surprised by the way I’m shining
I disappear like shaaa

Chorus

(Ziggy Ras)
From Segerea up to Keko** there is a lot of torture
Friend you’re in the ghetto just watching a DVD
You’re enjoying yourself
My oldest friends are acting crazy
They change women everyday
They’re smoking marijuana
We need trust in Bongoland*** in order to avoid blame
Enemies go to jail
Avoid friends who betray you
Test friends when times are tought
To find out if they are for real
Or out to betray you

(Ema)
From morning to night
I have not yet eaten anything
If you get close enough
I can’t wait to beg for money
Everyday I eat nothing except pieces of sugarcane
Life is a real struggle
I starve as usual
If you hate me I don’t give a damn
I didn’t go to school
I am homeless with no bed
And when it rains things are horrible
Once you’re caught by the police there is nothing you can do to defend yourself
The law holds up a black mirror so that they can jail me
I’m the parent and brother in my family
Life is tough
I’m innocent but I’ve been called a robber
I’ve been called a robber

Chorus

*name
**prisons
*** Dar es Salaam

6 HIVI NDIVIO TUNAVYOISHI

Chorus:
This is the way I’m living
My relatives have betrayed me
Every morning I suffer more
It’s really painful
This is the way I’m living
My relatives have betrayed me
Every morning I suffer more
It’s really painful
Every morning I suffer
Every morning I suffer more
I can’t imagine what needs to happen for the African continent
For the African continent

(Ziggy Ras)
Poverty has led me to think a lot
Poverty is the major setback
When moving towards a good life
Sometime I think, how would it be if I had money?
I have so many feelings
The major problem that faces me is getting money
I have rich relatives with plenty of money
But I always turn away from them because they despise me
Stop laughing I know I’m bankrupt
Like Dizo* I am the microphone striker
I am marching slowly
My eyes have seen many unpredictable things
My eyes have seen the way towards hell

(Baraka)
I don’t have food or alcohol
I must force things so that I can get it
Everyday I sleep on top of pieces of cardboard box
When it rains it is my bad luck
I am always unsettled
Every morning I’m in trouble with the police
Everyday they suspect me as a criminal
Friends I’m leaving
I am bright I know marijuana is not good
I have chilled
I have been discouraged by the realization that my life is full of bad luck
But I’ll never give up

Chorus

Bridge:
I was abandoned by relatives and friends
Every morning I’m hustling
I stay hungry
Without even sleeping
Bad luck is with me always
I don’t know whether human beings, the devil or God should be blamed
I can’t blame my parents because they died a long time ago
My relatives own my parents wealth
They have chased me away
They have betrayed me
My relatives own my parents wealth
They have chased me away
They have betrayed me
This is the way I’m living
My relatives have betrayed me
This is the way I’m living
My relatives have betrayed me

(Ema)
As a youth I understand what I’m doing
My parents’ last words are my treasure
Before my mother passed away she told me to work hard
Until my enemies appreciate my skills
My friends act like monkeys
Jumping here and there
Trying to pull me back
Thanks God for making me
I’m still alive at this point
My enemies have nothing to say
I’ll always fight upon my rights

Chorus

(Shalo)
I am a real Tanzanian
Look at the way I live
I hate the way you despise me
That’s the way I live
I am marching forward
Lifer is tough but even when it discourages us
We struggle to get through it
I wonder why you’re quiet
You don’t tell the truth
You’re supposed to be open about globalization
I have a family to take care of
If we will not become serious we are going to perish
My fellow Tanzanians
We have to think critically
Most youth are jobless and they have no way to get what they need
The Poor’s capital is their own power
They are called thieves and robbers
Because they have no job
Let me speak frankly
Look the street children
They are roaming the streets looking for help
They have nowhere to go
When they ask for help they are rejected
This should be issue we are discussing
If we really love them why can’t we help them?
Come on
Why can’t we help them?

Chorus

*name