“Monsters You Made” is Burna Boy’s fiercest political statement, serving as a powerful reckoning with the historical and contemporary systems of oppression in Africa. The song’s core message is delivered in the chorus by Chris Martin of Coldplay, who states that the chaos, anger, and violence seen in oppressed communities are not inherent flaws, but the direct consequence of centuries of systemic exploitation and theft by ruling and colonial powers. The victims are simply the “monsters you made.”
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[Intro: Ebikabowei "Boyloaf" Victor-Ben]
If the government refuse to develop the region
And continue the marginalization and injustice
The youths or the next people coming after us
I think will be more brutal than what we have done
[Chorus: Chris Martin]
Calling me a monster, calling us fake
No way, no way, no way
Calling me a monster just 'cause we said
[Verse 1: Burna Boy]
We're from the block where it rains
Where we create barricades
Keep opposition away
That's why we strapped with AKs
Don't get kidnapped from your place
'Cause it could happen today
Not knowing how to behave
That is a sign that you may
Just lose your life, what a waste
Your body found in a lake
You fucked around and the fisherman
Found you drowning for days
You know we come from a place
Where people smile, but it's fake
How could they smile?
If you look around, they surrounded by pain
I've seen the sky turn to grey
It took the light from the day
It's like the heads of the state
Ain't comprehending the hate
That the oppressed generate
When they've been working like slaves
To get some minimum wage
You turn around and you blame
Them for their anger and rage
Put them in shackles and chains
Because of what they became
We are the monsters you made
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[Chorus: Chris Martin]
Calling me a monster, calling us fake
You make the Minotaur, the dinosaur wake
Calling me a monster just 'cause we said
No way, no way, no way
Calling me a monster, make no mistake
That there's only so much that you can take
La-di-da-da-do-di-da-da-do-day
We are the monsters you made
[Verse 2: Burna Boy]
I bet they thought it was cool
Probably thought we was fools
When we would break all the rules
And skip them classes in school
Because the teacher dem teaching
What the white man dem teaching
Dem European teachings in my African school
So fuck the classes in school
Fuck Mungo Park and the fool
That said they found river Niger
They've been lying to you
Ain't no denying the truth
See what I'm tryin' to do
Is draw the line for the mothers crying
We're dying as youths
Come walk a mile in my shoes
See if you smile at the truth
See if you digest your food
That's when you might have a clue
Of what the fuck we go through
You're fucking lucky if you
Live through the day, better pray
That God always staying with you
Ain't fuckin' safe, any day
The reaper'll be coming for you
We need a change and it ain't no way I'ma take an excuse
My niggas findin' a way
Or fuckin' smile in the grave
This is the price that you pay
We are the monsters you made
[Chorus: Chris Martin]
Calling me a monster, calling us fake
You make the Minotaur, the dinosaur wake
Calling me a monster just 'cause we said
No way, no way, no way
Calling me a monster, make no mistake
That there's only so much that you can take
La-di-da-da-do-di-da-da-do-day
We are the monsters you made
[Outro: Ama Ata Aidoo]
Since we met you people five hundred years ago
Look at us, we have given everything
You are still taking
In exchange for that, we have got nothing
Nothing
And you know it
But don't you think that this is over now?
Over where?
Is it over?
Uploaded by: Precious • Upload date: 11/5/2025
