Jaiye by Chidey and the subtle display of toxic masculinity.

Jaiye by Chidey and the subtle display of toxic masculinity.

So this is my first episode of The pixie gist, and I’m going to talk about something different from books and literature. I think I should also talk more about other things I enjoy in this blog, apart from books, with one of them being music.

Actually, this article is about my brother’s newly released song, Jaiye by Chidey, and I’m sure he won’t be so pleased with me by the end of this post. Don’t get me wrong, the song is nice, dope beat, fantastic rhythm, and mad flows, but the lyrics don’t really sit well with me.

I know art is supposed to be first about entertainment, and that it is subjective, but I’m writing this as a part of the audience, with musical opinions and all. If I am to be blunt and criticize other artistes constructively, then I’m not sure sparing my brother just because he is family, will help him get better. This is also difficult for me, but someone has to point it out, and I’m willing to take the hit, on behalf of other disturbed listeners, especially women.

I’m sorry, but while Jaiye by Chidey is a real party jam, it has undertones of toxic masculinity. And no matter how subtle it is, we can’t just throw it under the bus and pretend it is not there while it is very much there glaring at us, wanting to be seen, to be heard.

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The intro of the song says;

I’m not going to honour you

I’m trying to get you run my kingdom

While I eat, drink and whore myself to an early grave…

Chidey, Jaiye

Now if this isn’t a subtle display of toxic masculinity, I wonder what it is. I know people will defend him for just making a harmless intro, but I see through its harmlessness. I’m sure the addressee of this harmless intro is his love interest, a woman who is supposed to slave for him, while he enjoys his life. And cheat on her hopelessly while at it. Time and time again, men make derisive and condescending comments about women and hide under the umbrella of ‘cruise’ and ‘sarcasm.’ But we see through that entire disguise. What’s so sarcastic and cruise worthy about slaving some other person while you fold your hands and enjoy the goodness of life? If anything, I think it belittles women and all they stand for.

And just when I thought it won’t get any worse, I listen to the first verse, and I’m irritated further.

As a bad man looking good in Dior

Heading to the top, I mean Ceiling Dion

M na agba gi chick, ina eme ka isi choo

Ina ako cho-cho-cho, nne gbenasoun…

Chidey, Jaiye.

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For the benefits of those who don’t understand the Yoruba and Igbo languages infusion, Chidey is clearly telling his love interest off, just because she doesn’t accept his proposal. I feel like I should talk about this, because women go through this every other day, while men have normalized and trivialized it to the extent they feel it’s only right a woman dances to their tunes, each time they make an advance.

Women have the right to choose whom to love and whom they give their time to. I don’t have to accept your love just because you feel that way and you want for me to. I think it is rude for a guy to insult you, simply because you do not feel the same way as he does. I am also human, and I have my likes and dislikes. I have the freedom of choice like every other human, so I don’t need to be told off, just for exercising that right of mine.

Jaiye by Chidey and the subtle display of toxic masculinity.

I have so many experiences of guys insulting me and trying to put me down just because I decline their offer to love me. I mean my life is mine, and I should decide who gets to stay and leave from it. It is definitely not cool for a girl to receive insults just because she is not interested in whatever a guy is offering her at the time.

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The second verse of the song proves that it keeps getting worse.

Some babes no go love you till you love someone else

When you don get money like Momentum Gadgets

Even the love sef e dey come with only debit

Money does all the work but love takes the credit…

Chidey, Jaiye.

This goes a long way to show that most guys don’t even see women worthy enough of their love. They think a woman is only there to spend their money, so why treat them with respect when they’re liabilities who amount to only debit alerts? That is a very cruel way to think of women. It is so distasteful to think a woman only loves a man just for what he has to offer, for the amount of money he has and is willing to spend. This is a very wrong notion, and it pains me whenever men make such comments.

Jaiye by Chidey and the subtle display of toxic masculinity.

Anyway, I think I enjoy Chidey’s creativity and sound, but I cannot ignore the toxic masculinity that Jaiye reeks of. We all have our part to play in making our society a better place, and charity they say, begins at home. I’m not sure how he will feel about this article really, but he will be fine. And it’s only my thought, not that of a thousand other listeners. As a creative myself, I receive lots of criticisms by friends and non friends, and I chest it in good faith, because art is subjective and artists are supposed to thrive in criticism.

Have you listened to the Jaiye by Chidey? What do you think? I don’t think I’m the only person who reads too much meaning into it, or am I? I’d love to hear your thoughts though. Please share them with me in the comment section. And listen to the song here, if you haven’t. Thank you for visiting Bookish Pixie, and for staying with me throughout this episode of The pixie gist. Please don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter, like and share this article with your friends and follow me on all social media platforms.