Nigerian musician Ochai Godwin-Isaac, known professionally as Agoje 1, releases a poignant new single titled “Go to the Hospital.” This track goes beyond conventional musical boundaries, serving as a heartfelt call to action that urges society to confront the often-overlooked suffering in places like hospitals, asylums, mortuaries, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Through a mixture of R&B and Afrobeat, Agoje 1 delivers a message that is both emotionally resonant and socially significant.

The song opens with a stark invitation:

Go to the hospital, many, many things go make you to cry.
Go to the asylum, many, many things go make you to cry.

These lines set the tone for a journey into the heart of human anguish. Agoje 1 doesn’t shy away from depicting the grim realities faced by individuals in these institutions. The repetition of “many, many things go make you to cry” emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the suffering encountered in these settings.

In the chorus, Agoje 1 confronts common misconceptions:

Hospital no be funfair,
Mortuary no be playground.
IDPs no be funfair,

By juxtaposing places of suffering with terms associated with joy and leisure, the artist highlights society’s tendency to ignore or trivialize the pain experienced by marginalized groups. This contrast serves as a powerful reminder that these are not places of entertainment but of profound human distress.

The first verse delves deeper into the harrowing conditions within hospitals:

Plenty pains inside of the brain.
Legs they hang from inside the pain.
The air for there dey smell.
Na medicine dey reign.

These lines paint a visceral picture of the physical and emotional torment endured by patients. The mention of “legs they hang” and “the air for there dey smell” evokes a sense of decay and neglect, while “Na medicine dey reign” underscores the dominance of medical intervention in these environments, often at the expense of holistic care.

In a poignant reflection on mortality, Agoje 1 observes:

In the mortuary, life is ordinary.
Life is equal there.
I don see the old one there,
I don see the young one there.
I don see who get money,
Who no get money.
Don see who go school,
And who no go school.

Here, the artist emphasizes the universality of death, illustrating that in the face of mortality, social distinctions vanish. This egalitarian perspective challenges listeners to reconsider societal hierarchies and the value placed on different lives.

Agoje 1 doesn’t merely highlight suffering; he questions societal inaction:

I wonder why many no talk about this thing.
I wonder why media no delay status conferra.
I wonder why government no defeat my motion.
Shey we no know say It’s YODO, YODO — You Only Die Once.

These lines serve as a direct challenge to individuals, media outlets, and government bodies, urging them to acknowledge and address the issues at hand. The acronym “YODO” reinforces the urgency of the message, reminding listeners of life’s fragility and the importance of timely intervention.

Recognizing the magnitude of the challenges faced by those in hospitals, asylums, mortuaries, and IDP camps, Agoje 1 extends a call for support from influential figures and organizations. He seeks collaboration with artists like 2Baba, known for his humanitarian efforts, and institutions such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO), governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations. By doing so, he underscores the collective responsibility of society to address these pressing issues.

“Go to the Hospital” exemplifies the role of music as a tool for social change. Agoje 1 harnesses the emotive power of melody and rhythm to convey a message that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. His fusion of R&B and Afrobeat not only appeals to a broad audience but also serves to amplify the song’s impact, making it a potent vehicle for advocacy.

Agoje 1’s “Go to the Hospital” is more than a song; it’s a clarion call for empathy, awareness, and action. Through vivid imagery and poignant lyrics, the artist sheds light on the suffering endured by many and challenges society to respond with compassion and urgency. Download and enjoy.