Ancient Routes (Original) Lyrics — Ali Boubacar Bonkano

Check the mic pre, 1-2, tap the line, tap the wax Sahel wind blowin', Niamey lit up on the skyline Ancient thrones still echo when the spot get quiet Ali Boubacar Bonkano, roots locked in deep Songhai crown in the blood, (Askia) mind, move calculated Damagaram stood firm while (Tanimoun) ran the block On the hill, (Sarraounia Mangou) made the battlefield listen Knee bowed once, tongue paid homage No bow to the column, no break, never yield Tectonic plates shake when the block get hot Surrounded by seven sets, but Niger holds the throne From the Djado Citadel cliffs, watch the legacy take form Bloodline stands tall Ali Boubacar Bonkano — bloodline never gonna fall Red dirt on the kicks, posted on the block Aldjanour, Guéladio, Say, Tillabéri That's where real heads hold turf Niger River flexin' like it know where it came from 'Fore they drew borders on the map Kings already had runs, pushin' heavy weight Had the block locked down 'fore contract inked up 'Fore a boundary line got dropped Had the whole sector locked down West Coast of Africa, Sahel in the frame Niger right in the core Long before the modern name (Mansa Musa), on the run, clockin' heavy paper (Sundiata Keita), layin' iron in the foundation Trade routes cuttin' deep Deep in the region Old paper, old plays, heavy hustle Way before the new jabber Caravans rollin' up No flyer, no hesitation, straight raw biz (Sonni Ali Ber) 'Fore (Askia) copped the crown Songhai pushin' weight Built power up and down (Askia Muhammad) Crown on his head Songhai on the chessboard Had the opposition seein' red Dendi down the stream (Askia) bloodline runnin' Royal houses stayin' legit Gobir on the edge Katsina pushin' trade Hausa sets stackin' Different hands on the wheel Same land, different season Agadez caravan Packed to the gills, top tier weight Gold in the bag Salt in the pack Desert wind on the grill Aïr Mountains rising Tuareg mob steady, solid set Assodé at the crossroads OG status already Had goods on deck Had wheels in motion Desert doin' business 'Fore square world caught the notion Djado Plateau

Brick and stone in the desert Ancient walls standin' where Sahara kept the record Djado Citadel Cliffs cuttin' through the dark Old-school Niger rock Still leavin' its mark Damagaram blew up Hausa power out East (Tanimoun Dan Souleymane) Held the line, ran the block Zinder behind the brick Trade lines stay true Sultanate runnin' thick 'Fore square world knew Then France pulled up Tryin' to flip the spot raw Military flex Colonial machine 1899, territory under command 1922, put a stamp on the land New rules on paper, new heat on the floor But he stood tall, ten toes down Ain't no backing down Queen (Sarraounia Mangou) Had the spot locked on alert 1899, she already clocked the play Lougou on the battlefield She refused to fold When heat came She took control Warrior mind, iron will Azna resistance Postin' up on the hill Colonial column coming She stood against the force (Hamani Diori) at the table Playin' chess, stayin' cool (Djibo Bakary) pressin' at the gate December fourth, '58 Niger got autonomy August third, '60 Set that date in stone Niger bossed up and came into its own Republic of Niger Name stamped in the frame New flag in the sky Sovereignty on display Born January first Twenty-and-one on the clock From a place where road gets rough But roots stay solid on the block Niamey in the distance City glowin' bright Ali Boubacar Bonkano, born to the throne (Askia) had the crown Ali Boubacar Bonkano got the pen Different kind of power Back then it was caravans Different kind of plans Algeria up North Libya touchin' North-East Chad on the East side Nigeria down South Benin on the border Burkina to the West Mali Northwest Niger chest out, best Seven borders 'round Niger Still Niger where it sits Ten toes deep This home for keeps Ali Boubacar Bonkano standing tall Etched in the bedrock, legacy sealed till the sky fold Peace