Cheat On Me
by Burna Boy (featuring Dave)

Album: I Told Them... (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Nigerian star Burna Boy shows love for his folks stuck without visas. Many Africans dream of ditching their home for greener pastures abroad. It's tough back home, no lie, and the West shines bright with opportunities.

    Getting bigger, oh, I swear down
    Make embassy no deny my people visa, oh
    No be Taliban, oh, no be Al-Qaeda, oh
    And they do not intend to permanently leave town


    Burna, who's wrangled with visa roadblocks worldwide, argues his case. North America, Australia, UK - he's been there. Why not let him and his squad roam? They're no terrorists, so visas should flow, no questions asked.
  • UK rapper Dave takes the mic on the second verse and dives into his own visa struggles.

    For the fact I had to fight for my visa
    I'm swiping my Visa


    Dave's roots trace back to Nigeria, his parents' homeland. Early on, they migrated to England, but just after Dave was born, his father got deported to Nigeria for having the wrong visa. The rapper's mother stayed in the country to raise her three sons.

    Dave adds a twist: travel visa, yeah, but Visa's also that cash card buzz. Throughout his verse, he flaunts his fortune. Despite life's roadblocks, he's busted through barriers, stacking cash without limits.
  • The intro and chorus feature a sped-up sample from the chorus of English singer-songwriter Kwabs' 2015 track "Cheating On Me."

    I fell apart when I couldn't see
    I was cheating on me
    Broke my own heart, when I couldn't see
    I was cheating on me


    The sample supports the track's message about those seeking a brighter future in first-world nations only to face visa denials, limiting their ability to secure greater opportunities for their families.

    Burna drives this home to emphasize that in the past, he missed out on key chances due to a lack of awareness. Opportunities slipped by, cheating him of the chance to create the best life he could for himself.
  • Burna Boy previously teamed with Dave when he guested on the English rapper's 2019 hit single "Location" off Psychodrama.
  • LiTek and whYJay created the beat. The two Manchester-based producers are the go-to producers for rappers Aitch and ArrDee.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.