About “Na Wa”
“Na Wa” is a song by Cameroonian singer and songwriter AWU Acapero, also known as AWU Sing Song, and one of the standout tracks from his debut album, Sounds of Heritage.
The song is the fourth track on the 15-track album and was produced by PhilBill. The album was released through Deekay House / Numero Eight and distributed by Africori.
“Na Wa” forms part of the musical direction AWU developed around the album, blending elements of Makossa with contemporary African influences as part of his Kossa-Fusion approach.
The Message Behind “Na Wa”
“Na Wa” captures AWU’s observations about life, people and the situations that can leave one surprised or questioning the world around them. The expression “Na Wa” itself is commonly used in Cameroonian Pidgin to express surprise, disbelief or amazement.
Through the song, AWU uses his characteristic conversational and melodic approach to reflect on everyday experiences while maintaining the accessible cultural language that connects his music with his audience.
Rather than presenting a complicated concept, the record draws much of its character from its relatable expression and the way AWU turns familiar Cameroonian language and experiences into contemporary music.
The Sound of “Na Wa”
Produced by PhilBill, “Na Wa” carries the contemporary African sound that defines much of Sounds of Heritage. The production allows AWU’s vocals to remain central while incorporating the rhythmic character associated with his Kossa-Fusion direction.
The song runs for approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds and is officially listed as Track 4 on Sounds of Heritage.
The record is another example of AWU’s approach to combining his appreciation for Makossa and Cameroonian musical heritage with modern Afrobeat and Afro-pop influences.
The Official Music Video
The official music video for “Na Wa” was released on February 3, 2023 through AWU’s official YouTube channel. The video was directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Sesan, giving the song a visual treatment that extended the contemporary African identity of the record.
The choice of Sesan also gave the project a wider African creative dimension, connecting AWU’s Cameroonian sound with established visual production talent from Nigeria.
“Na Wa” became one of the two Sounds of Heritage songs for which AWU released major official visual productions, alongside “Mola.” Contemporary Cameroonian music coverage specifically highlighted the Sesan-directed visuals as part of the album’s post-release campaign.
“Na Wa” on Sounds of Heritage
“Na Wa” occupies an important position within Sounds of Heritage, an album built around AWU’s return to his musical roots. AWU explained that the project was inspired by exploring Makossa, identifying more deeply with where he comes from and fusing those influences with his own artistic identity and contemporary sounds.
The album ultimately became a 15-track representation of this musical philosophy, with “Na Wa” sitting alongside songs such as “Mola,” “Melody,” “Yayayo,” “Levels,” “Waka Me” and “Bonamoussadi.”
Project Details
Song: Na Wa
Artist: AWU / AWU Sing Song
Album: Sounds of Heritage
Track: 4 of 15
Release: November 12, 2021
Duration: Approximately 3:15
Producer: PhilBill
Label: Deekay House / Numero Eight
Distributor: Africori
Genre: Kossa-Fusion / Afrobeat / World
Official Video: February 3, 2023
Video Director: Sesan
