ENNY Speaks Her Truth in New Single ‘No More Naija Men’

Shortly after the release of her well-received first single of the year ‘Champagne Problems,’ the South East London anthem rapper ENNY unveiled another thoughtful banger titled ‘No More Naija Men.’ In this profound song, the Thamesmead storyteller plunges into a troubled past only to face her ex-partner, while shocking music enthusiasts once again with a confession this time close to her heart. With the combination of a smoothing jazz upbeat sound and lyrics as sharp as a Swiss knife, ENNY is able to evoke a variety of heartfelt emotions.

Raised in Thamesmead, England, ENNY grew up in a very strict home; however, always held an admiration for music. It is only long after her film studies, she decided to devote her sweat and blood into rap. In 2020, ENNY released her breakout hit ‘PENG BLACK GIRLS’ and her career has only been flourishing ever since. This sparked the attention of established UK peers such as R&B singer Jorja Smith who then joined forces on a remix version. 

No More Naija Men

‘No More Naija Men’ tackles a topic that far too many individuals of African descent have dealt with across Europe. Growing up in a white dominant population, there are a lot of obstacles that one has to fight against such as low self-esteem and self-hate due to media propaganda and negative stereotypes targeting black people. Although interracial relationships have increased throughout the years, for those who wish to remain close to their roots and eventually, extend their African family, choosing a counterpart of similar heritage may be a favourable option. 

In this particular track, ENNY takes a dive into the past to reclaim an experience that left her heartbroken. Her ex-partner, who seems to be of Nigerian descent, clearly gave her a hard time and perhaps this made the 28 years old rapper once doubt her dating preference. ENNY makes mention of close friends advising her to “broad my pools,” which basically means she should maybe start thinking of dating outside of her race. And by the looks of her song that can be interpreted as self-reflection, she takes their advice into consideration. 

Making use of her mastery in storytelling, she dwells into the layers of a toxic relationship. In one instance, ENNY describes the manipulation tactics her ex-boyfriend would perform when she raps; “Every sentence leaving your lip, I would hang on it.” 

To conclude this, it is safe to say ENNY’s journey towards love wasn’t easy; however, the turn of events that gets revealed on her music video, perhaps gave us a glimpse the starlet decided to proceed moving forward a chapter in her life where she is; “learning all these lessons.”

Visuals

In the music video, ENNY takes us into a day in her life with an interesting twist to it all. At first, we presume that ENNY founds herself in an interracial relationship and is most likely on a photoshoot for a magazine. This would suggest that she took her friends’ advice and wandered outside of her community to find a partner. When ENNY found herself in a vehicle, the visuals showcase couples arguing only to switch into a script of a friend of hers, calling because of some similar troubles with a guy she’s presumably dating. What surprise happens towards the end when ENNY finds herself at the same photoshoot session she was before; however, this time, her real partner and child is revealed and it happens to be a man of similar heritage. The message behind the visuals is clear; nothing is what it looks like at first glance and so, her choice of titling her song in a way that may rub some people the wrong way, can be also viewed as a process she personally went through. 

Although the different scenes go rather quickly, it doesn’t take anything away from the song and because ENNY performs her rap whilst moving from one place to another, one is reminded of what’s important here and this is her overall message.

Speaking on the track, ENNY shares;

“I had writer's block at the end of 2021. Then I had my first  session with Emil, he’d been playing through some sick beats. Then, I hear these beautiful  bongo drums alongside 4 simple chords. I was sold. The head bopping & writing began. This  song is a processing of things observed and felt. Conversations on interracial & intercultural  love. And the ultimate conclusion that Nigerian men are mad. I want to keep alive the art of  rapping and bring listeners into an unfamiliar yet familiar sound.”

Overview   

As a South Londoner would say; “Let’s not deep this…” the title of the song may sound provocative for some; however, this does not take anything away from the talented and genuine artist that ENNY is. Most importantly, the ‘PENG BLACK GIRLS’ lyricist is entitled to her own opinion and allowed to share her point of view to whomever she pleases. 

With the visuals, we are able to recognise that those are not the same views she shared today and therefore, for her to come to a conclusion, it took an entire journey of wrong partners and hurdles to reach her final destination which is her current healthy relationship.

All in all, ‘No More Naija Men’ is a song that forces you to think and look at the broader picture to understand its brilliance in its entirety. Throughout her short reign in the music space, ENNY has never been known to take the safe route and just keeps on proving the world that she has new drops to keep her ears challenged.