T.I.A. – English Lyrics

• By: K'naan

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful lyrics and storytelling of K'naan's "T.I.A." to gain a deeper understanding of real-world experiences beyond the headlines. This song offers a unique opportunity to connect with authentic African narratives and expand your cultural vocabulary, all while appreciating K'naan's masterful blend of poetic lyricism and impactful social commentary.

[English]

♪ ♪

♪ I HOPE YOU GOT YOUR PASSPORTS ♪

♪ ♪

♪ AND VACCINE SHOTS ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I TAKE RAPPERS ON A FIELD TRIP ANY DAY ♪

♪ THEY NEVER BEEN OPPOSITE REAL CLIP ANYWAY ♪

♪ I KNOW WHERE ALL THE LOOTERS AND THE SHOOTERS STAY ♪

♪ WELCOME TO THE CITY WE CALL DOOMSDAY ♪

♪ WHEN ITS JUST FRIED CHICKEN LIKE TUESDAY ♪

♪ OH YOU FROM THE HOOD HUH, WHO SAY? ♪

♪ MY NIGERIAN WOULD CALL YOU ♪

♪ ♪

♪ MY SOMALI ARE QUICK TO GRAB THE UZI ♪

♪ AROUND HERE WE ONLY BUMPING FELA KUTI ♪

♪ TUPAC OR BOB MARLEY, LUCKY DUBE ♪

♪ SO WE DON'T REALLY GIVE UP ABOUT YOUR GROUPIES ♪

♪ THIS IS AFRICA, HOORAY ♪

♪ T.I.A. (HOORAY) T.I.A. (HOORAY) T.I.A. (HOORAY) ♪

♪ IT MEANS, THIS IS AFRICA (HOORAY) ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ THE STREETS IS TRICKY IN THESE PARTS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ THE STREETS NEED THIS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ THE STREETS IS TRICKY IN THESE PARTS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ THE STREETS NEED THIS áááá HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I WALK RAPPERS THROUGH THE KILLA WOODS ♪

♪ ANY DAY THEY NEVER BEEN OPPOSITE REAL GOONS ANYWAY ♪

♪ I KNOW ALL THE TRICKY STICKY ICKY ALLEY WAYS ♪

♪ WELCOME TO THE CONTINENT OF HOLIDAYS ♪

♪ WHERE HOLIDAYS QUICKLY TURN TO HELL DAYS ♪

♪ STARS FALL QUICKER THAN BOX OF SHELL CASE NO BILL GATES, ♪

♪ NO PCS WHY YOU CATS DEBATING, ACTING AND ♪

♪ FAKING THESE DAYS ♪

♪ I DELIVER WHAT THEY NEED LIKE MILK CRATES I LEARNED ♪

♪ FROM THE DEADLY STREETS NO REGRETS AND I WASN'T EVER ♪

♪ LOOKING FOR STREET CRED BUT THESE STREETS BRED ME ♪

♪ TO BE STREET SAFE ♪

♪ IT'S NO SECRET WE KNOW HOW TO SQUEEZE LEAD BUT THE ♪

♪ PRE-SET IS NOT TO HAVE TO SQUEEZE IT USED TO BE AT ♪

♪ PEACE BUT NOW WE USING T-SHIRTS AND IT READS RIP ♪

♪ CAUSE THE PEACE DEAD ♪

♪ WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE SLUMS LIKE (NOMANE) LITTLE ♪

♪ CHILDREN SAY K'NAAN (BUMAYE) THE RAP GAME JUST ♪

♪ GOT ITSELF A NEW DAY THIS IS AFRICA, HOORAY. ♪

♪ T.I.A. (HOORAY) T.I.A. (HOORAY) T.I.A. (HOORAY) ♪

♪ IT MEANS, THIS IS AFRICA ♪

♪ ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS HERE ♪

♪ THE STREETS IS TRICKY IN THESE PARTS HERE ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS HERE ♪

♪ THE STREETS NEED THIS áááá HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS HERE ♪

♪ THE STREETS IS TRICKY IN THESE PARTS HERE ♪

♪ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS HERE ♪

♪ THE STREETS NEED THIS áááá HERE ♪

♪ ♪

♪ IT'S K'NAAN ♪

♪ ♪

♪ THIS IS AFRICA ♪

♪

♪ ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
passport /ˈpæspɔːrt/ B1	noun - an official document issued by a government certifying one's identity and citizenship
vaccine /ˈvæksiːn/ B2	noun - a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases
field /fiːld/ A2	noun - a piece of land used for farming or pasture noun - an area of study or activity
trip /trɪp/ A1	noun - a journey or excursion
shoot /ʃuːt/ B1	verb - to fire a gun
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
hood /hʊd/ B1	noun - neighborhood
uzi /ˈuːzi/ B2	noun - a submachine gun
streets /striːts/ A1	noun - public roads in a town or city
tricky /ˈtrɪki/ B1	adjective - difficult or requiring skill
woods /wʊdz/ A2	noun - an area of land covered with trees
goons /ɡuːnz/ B2	noun - thugs or criminals
alley /ˈæli/ A2	noun - a narrow passageway between buildings
continent /ˈkɒntɪnənt/ B2	noun - one of the seven large landmasses on Earth
stars /stɑːrz/ A1	noun - luminous points in the night sky
deliver /dɪˈlɪvər/ B1	verb - to bring something to a specified place
slums /slʌmz/ B2	noun - a densely populated urban area characterized by poverty and poor living conditions