One of Hezron’s stand-out tracks on his 2023 M.O.A.M album is “Kuja Nyumbani,” best translated to “I Want To Go Home“. According to Hezron Clarke: “This song that’s premiered on World of Reggae is called Kuja Nyumbani. And this is a song that I wrote so many, many years ago, decades ago, when I was a child.This song is a true testimony of what I felt back then, after hearing the stories of what our ancestors went through and our freedom fighters. So I decided that I was gonna write this song from the heart back then, and it has now become, in this time, a full manifestation, you know, going to be released. And so I bring you this song, Kuja Nyumbani. Thanks World of Reggae, for premiering this song.“
Reggae has always been a bridge between past and present, between struggle and liberation. And with his latest single, “Kuja Nyumbani” (I Want to Go Home), Hezron Clarke delivers one of his most powerful works yet—an emotional plea to Mama Africa, reconnecting the African diaspora with its roots. Dropping February 7 via Hardshield Records/Tad’s Record, the song arrives in time for Reggae Month (Jamaica) and Black History Month (USA), carrying deep historical weight and modern-day relevance.
Set to a steady reggae groove infused with traditional African sounds like the kalimba (thumb piano), Kuja Nyumbani tells a harrowing yet heartfelt story. The lyrics speak of centuries of displacement, oppression, and longing for home, painting vivid images of the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade:
“I have a very long tale to tell of 400 years, to you this letter I send, mama Africa, I have much complaints / Hope you can understand the handwriting, we are not allowed the use of a pen / I know that you are wondering why the ink smells and looks so red, I collected this red ink from the place of where they tortured slaves.”
Hezron actually wrote the song when he was just 19 years old, during a period of deep Afrocentric thought. Later, after migrating to the U.S., he expanded the song’s vision by incorporating Swahili lyrics, transforming Mama Africa into Kuja Nyumbani. The song took on even deeper meaning in 2023, when Hezron was invited to Ghana by promoter Cynthia Raymond, after she was moved to tears by its message.
That invitation led to a life-changing journey, where Hezron performed five shows in Ghana, visited the historic Cape Coast Castle(where enslaved Africans were held before being shipped across the Atlantic), and met Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of the Ashanti Empire, who gave him the African name Kwame Bonsu—a rare honor, only shared with actor Idris Elba.
The song’s release is paired with an evocative black-and-white video, directed by Devon Morris, featuring imagery of key revolutionaries and freedom fighters, including Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, and Nanny of the Maroons. The visual storytelling amplifies the song’s urgency—reminding us of the ongoing fight for liberation and identity.
Taking the Mission Worldwide
As part of his Man On A Mission (M.O.A.M.) campaign, Hezron continues to push reggae forward with purpose. After his first leg of the Africa Tour—covering Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo—he’s now gearing up for performances in the UK and Canada, including the Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival. Later this year, he’ll return to Africa for massive events like Felabration (Nigeria)and Abissa Festival (Côte d’Ivoire).
But Hezron’s journey isn’t just about performing—it’s about giving back. He’s setting up the Save The Children Foundation in Ghana, inspired by his song of the same name, which has reached anthemic status in Jamaica.
For Hezron, reggae isn’t just music—it’s a calling. Kuja Nyumbani isn’t just another song—it’s a letter home, a cry for reconnection, and a reminder that the roots of reggae and Africa are forever intertwined.
