I was inside a bus, ears plugged in and generally minding my business when a random song popped in, courtesy of a random playlist on Apple music. Naturally, the first instinct was to skip to the next song, but Thank God 鈥 or whatever you believe in 鈥 I didn鈥檛 do that. By the end of the second verse, I knew I had found a new anthem; one that filled me with a particular sense of liberation. I don鈥檛 know what exactly Tems was thinking when she wrote and performed 鈥淭ry me鈥, but if I would guess, it was her middle-finger gesture to something or someone. And now, it is that exact thing to me.
By the end of my bus ride, I felt like I鈥檇 been thrown into some sort of superhero movie.
Since I discovered the song in the middle of Lagos road and traffic, I鈥檝e thought about how this song could get me through all I hated about the road and its elements.
Lagos Conductors, Someone is Ready to match your Craziness
We all know for a fact that the angel in charge of home training conveniently missed Lagos conductors when he was dishing the virtue out. And what did we get because of that? Daily doses of uncouthness. I could live with regular verbal onslaught, but we have to draw a line when my money is kind of involved. And boy, do they like to take your change if the chance pops up.
Well, guess what? Since I heard 鈥淭ry Me鈥, that #50 I would normally let go of when they pair me with a random stranger during Monday rush hour is mine to fight for. And in the midst of this, if the conductor feels like he鈥檚 the street designated verbal merchant, I now have an armory of words at my disposal to unleash. I always thought that I was not made for the craziness in this city, but with the lyrics of this song wafting in my head, maybe I stand a chance. We die here!
Bike Riders, A New Speed Enthusiast Has Joined The Race
Oh boy, how much I used to hate situations where I鈥檝e got no choice but to jump a bike. Those guys love their speed, don鈥檛 they? For some reason, your 鈥淜anda kanda鈥 or 鈥渟mall-small, Oga鈥 only feeds their thirst to get more distance between them and the next vehicle. What do bad roads and the death traps in them mean to them?
But maybe I don鈥檛 need to worry about that anymore. Nothing has happened so far, has it? Maybe all I need now is to plug my ears, turn the volume up and enjoy the trip I paid for? I am the Ganja, they are the lighter.
Traffic, You Can鈥檛 Break Me Now!
For the longest time, this city鈥檚 traffic has filled me up with the deepest sense of despair. I mean, what could be crazier than spending the equivalent of your whole trip on a spot?
But why do I bother, really? It鈥檚 crazy that I needed a song to tell me that. I broke out of my chains, guys; I broke out of my chains.
I don鈥檛 know if you have listened to 鈥淭ry me鈥 or how it works for you. But it works for me perfectly. It’s like I have discovered traffic in this city in a whole new light. And if that is not freedom, I don鈥檛 know what else I can call it.
Maybe I would go back to the old me if my encounter with a conductor hits the roof, or if my new need for speed gives me a scar, or if my new found love for Lagos traffic makes me so comfortable that I miss out on some important appointment. But for now, let me just revel in my new found freedom. I can鈥檛 let anything try me now.
