Sweet Mother

Song Meaning of Sweet Mother by Prince Nico Mbarga

The highlife song "Sweet Mother" was written and performed by the Nigerian and Cameroonian vocalist Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz. It was first played in 1976 and is still one of the most well-known songs in Africa.

EMI rejected the "Sweet Mother" demo recording in 1974 due to the song's "childish appeal." Before being finally released in 1976 by Nigerian recording firm Rogers All Stars, "Sweet Mother" was later turned down by Decca Records and Philips Records as well.

The song, which is sung in Nigerian Pidgin English, honours mothers. West African highlife is played while the guitar is finger-picked in the Congolese Soukous fashion.

After selling over 13 million copies, "Sweet Mother" went on to become one of the most well-known singles in Africa. It is referred to as Africa's anthem on occasion, and in 2004, BBC readers and listeners chose it as Africa's favourite song.