Simi forced to apologise over offensive tribal marks lyrics

Nigerian singer and newly married wife Simi has been forced to apologise over a derogatory tribal marks lyrics she put out as her version of an online music challenge.

The singer received a barrage of criticism for her cover version of the trending song challenge especially for talking down at people with tribal marks.

Simi was forced to take to Twitter to apologise for using the line “abi o ro bi mo kola ni” (Do you think I have tribal marks?) – which people mean to say “Am I stupid”, in her cover version.

She wrote on Twitter; “Guys I had to bring down my post cos I used the line “abi o ro bi mo kola ni” (Do you think I have tribal marks?) – which people mean to say “Am I stupid”.

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“It’s an old Yoruba ‘joke’, but I never acknowledged how insensitive it is. It offended some and I shouldn’t have used it. Lots of unlearning to do. We should remember to be sensitive and emphatic to others,

“Also I know the video is all over the place already, but it’s a step in the right direction and I apologize to anyone that was/is offended by it. I only ever mean well.

“Also, if you think this is extra, it’s part of the problem. Always letting BS go is how we build the wrong cultures that become hard to shake off.

“I don’t want this to trend for the wrong reasons please. Let’s not only advocate for the things that directly affect us. Lezzz keep it moving. I’ma make many many more lit covers insha Allah. Na the work wey we dey do,” she added.

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