Singer, Simi, Issues Apology Over Tribal Marks Line In #fuckyouchallenge Cover

Singer, Simi, has apologized to anyone who felt offended or insulted for her line about tribal marks in her #fuckyouchallenge cover. 

The singer, who wrote “Se mo kola ni? in Yoruba which directly translates to “Do you think I have tribal marks?’’  in English, said the apology was after realising that some people felt offended by the line.

Apart from apologising, the X3M Music act also pulled down her viral video in the trending #fuckyouchallenge kick-started by fellow music star, Kizz Daniel. Although the line, which many people take to mean “Do you think I am stupid?” has been in use for years, was deemed offensive by some people online.

Among those who made an issue out of it isAdetutu OJ, a Nigerian model who went viral last October after getting the attention of American music star, Rihanna. 

Taking to her Instagram page, she asked Simi was to portay people with tribal marks as stupid, writing: “I have tribal marks and I really do appreciate it now because it’s my tribal marks and a lifetime heritage. Listening to @symplysimi #fuckyouchallenge reminds me of what I have been hearing since I was wise enough to know when people are passing insults to people with tribal marks.

Mostly said by some of my Yoruba people, “Se mo kola ni’’ means do I look like an idiot or stupid? People with tribal marks are not daft or stupid. I don’t care if they have been saying it for long, but it’s not a right thing to say.”

In a swift reaction, the “Joromi” singer also wrote: “Guys, I had to bring down my post cos I used the line ‘O ro bi mo kola ni’ (Do you think I have tribal marks)- which people mean to say ‘Am I stupid?”

“It’s an old Yoruba joke, but I never acknowledged how insensitive it is. It offended some and I shouldn’t have used it. Lots of unlearning to do. We should remember to be sensitive and empathetic to others. 

“Also, I know the video is all over the place already, but it’s a step in the right direction and I apologise to anyone that was/is offended by it. I only ever mean well.”

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