Cypress Ghana
Ghanaian singer-songwriter Paapa Versa has surprised fans with a music video for his song ‘Okada’ . A track off his latest album ‘Versa Villa’, ‘Okada’ features Ghanaian superstar E.L. Produced by Paapa and Drumvrol, the Afrobeat song mixes Jazz and Pop elements in parts of the song, showcasing Paapa Versa’s musicality with his emotionally rich vocals as the icing on the cake.
An upbeat song with Ghanaian drums and a mellow tempo, the lyrics of ‘Okada’ charmingly tell of a deep love for someone and a willingness to go through thick and thin together, using words that describe travelling. Paapa takes the viewer on a magical journey through parts of the enchanting Aburi mountains in the video. His lover, played by Ghanaian singer and actress Adomaa, follows him along this journey on the back of his motorbike as the singer croons about her being his ride or die. Singing “You’re a queen, you’re a star and I love the way you make me feeling,” it is obvious the singer has eyes for none but his lover.
Featured artist E.L also makes an entertaining appearance in the video. With the lyrics like ‘Money make hard, taxi we no fit hala’ and ‘If I get wahala, she dey hear all my palava. She no dey disappear and appear, Abracadabra‘, E.L expresses his love and gratitude to a lover who has stood the test of time and weathered storms together with him. The old couple dancing behind as he raps, paints a picture of a love that transcended time, complementing the featured verse and the rest of the song.
Directed by Joseph Akwasi, the music video boasts clever visuals riddled with nostalgia. A throwback to Paapa’s 2013 hit ‘Write for Me’, the intro and outro overlay clips of present-day Paapa with his younger self create a visual feast for the eyes. Paapa’s monologue, in the beginning, brings to mind his pain and frustration with Ghana, a pain that led to him going to study abroad and penning ‘Write for Me’.
This time, however, Paapa is no longer a young boy seeking validation from his home country. He is a veteran ready to take this path, even if it is rocky. This likens the song’s romantic lyrics to his love for music, something confirmed during his monologue at the end. Reaching for his lover as he says ‘My love, it has always been you‘, the scene spins to show a guitar where his lover previously was. Paapa also showcases his musical prowess by playing various instruments, including an acoustic guitar, drum machine, and a synthesizer throughout the video.
For the final verse and chorus, choreographer Jerry One spices up the video with entertaining choreography as the dancers gyrate against the splendid scenery. In what seems to be a mixture of flamenco, tango, and other sultry dances, the dancers evoke the deep emotion of love Paapa expresses throughout the song.
