Oluwa by Joel Lwaga comes in barely 5 months after the release of the popular runaway hit song Olodumare. Written and produced in a similar fashion, Oluwa also comes off as a testimony of growth, success, and prosperity amid human adversaries.
Joel Lwaga’s music language is inspiration. He excels and thrives here. Through life’s hardships and victories, the artist will come out with a song to inspire. Looking at some of the artist’s past tracks, one can tell there’s been a change in his life for the better.
Consider Sitabaki Kama Nilivyo, Mimi Ni Wa Juu, and Mifupani. These are songs with a backdrop of difficulties, but faced with the bravery of unwavering faith and hope: “I will not remain the same”, “I belong above”, “You who strengthens me in my weakness, I believe You.”
With Olodumare and Oluwa, there’s a change in tone. These are songs one would sing on the other side of hardship—on the side of victory. Oluwa has has been expertly written and produced. It bears Joel Lwaga’s style of excellence.
Question is, does Oluwa glorify the heavenly Father? Let’s explore!
Song factsheet
| Song title | Oluwa |
| Artist | Joel Lwaga |
| Release date | March 7, 2025 |
| Genre | Gospel |
| Recording type | Studio recording |
Facts for nerds
| Producer | Allané (Allan Edward Pyuza) |
| Song duration | 2:55 |
| Genre | Gospel |
| Key | G |
Song review
Meaning of Oluwa
Oluwa is a Yoruba word for God. The name is often used as a prefix for other names.
Scripture reference
There are multiple Biblical references to people who overcame adversity, came out in victory, and celebrated in songs and psalms. Think of:
- The song of Moses and Mirriam after Israel crossed the Red Sea
- The song of Deborah and Barak after Israel’s victory over Canaanites
- Hannah’s song of thanksgiving for Samuel
- David’s song of deliverance from Saul
Let’s have a look at the song of Mirriam and Moses. Hang on tight, it’s going to be a long read.
Exodus 15:1-18 NIV
[1] Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
[2] “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
[3] The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.
[4] Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
[5] The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.
[6] Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.
[7] “In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.
[8] By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
[9] The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’
[10] But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
[11] Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
[12] “You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies.
[13] In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
[14] The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
[15] The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away;
[16] terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by.
[17] You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
[18] “The Lord reigns for ever and ever.”
From this and the other songs, what is the character of a victory or celebratory song?
- A central focus on God – God is the hero of the story, the author of the victory. Among Him, the enemies and self, God gets the most mention. Only 4 verses lack a mention of God.
- Acknowledgement of adversity – Pharaoh’s army, chariots and officers, Philistines, chiefs of Edom, and Canaanites. Even in mention of adversities, the song narrates how God brought about victory.
- God’s deliverance – The song gives an account of the ensuing battle, loaded with descriptions of God’s powerful and awesome actions to deliver the Israelites. It calls God a warrior. No shred of credit is given to any other person.
- Praise and thanksgiving – the artist declares that they will praise God, recounting in awe his might all over the song.
How does Oluwa compare?
The song Oluwa by Joel Lwaga captures most aspects of a victory song, albeit dwelling more on the artist’s personal experience and adversity than on God, and His work to deliver.
On the first verse, the artist narrates how he has been lifted to the dismay of adversaries. Half of the second verse then goes on to describe the ill-intent of adversaries if they were in a all-powerful position of God. However, this analogy is not Biblical as it undermines the sovereign power of God as the only overarching power. The analogy is a rather wordly rhetoric which waters down theological significance of the song.
On the other half, Joel does well to describe God’s impartial and sovereign ways in blessing His people:
One of the attributes alluded to is God’s wisdom in there being no counsel against Him (hunaga counsellor):
Proverbs 21:30 NKJV
[30] There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
Second is God’s impartial nature to physical appearance (Huangalii sura unaona mtima)
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV[7]
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Finally, Joel Lwaga touches on God’s ability to thwart evil schemes (Unawachanganya watesi unawakwera)
Psalms 33:10 NIV
[10] The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
What’s your verdict on the song? Does it glorify God? We’d love to hear from you on the comments!
Oluwa by Joel Lwaga lyrics
Yani toka chini toka chini
Baba umeniweka
Pande za juu
Mavumbi umenifuta umenifuta umenibadilisha
Mujiza huu
Yani mpaka
Wafitini wafitini wanapata presha
Imekuwaje huyu
Kila walopanga walopanga kusambaratisha
Ni wanafeli tu
Numekupata nimejipata eeeh
Nadunda kila sehemu
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Umebadili game
Numekupata nimejipata eeeh
Nadunda kila sehemu
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Umebadili game
Everybody say
Olu Olu OluwaOlu Olu
Wonderful Lord aah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aah
Kuna watu wangekuwa Mungu aisee
Ingekuwa kimbembe
Majina yetu akina sisi wengine
Wangepiga kiwembe
Ila we Baba unavyogawa
Mibaraka hunaga counsellor
Huangalii sura unaona mtima
Unawachanganya watesi unawakera
Nimekupata nimejipata eeeh
Nadunda kila sehemu
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Umebadili game
Nimekupata nimejipata eeeh
Nadunda kila sehemu
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Umebadili game
Everybody sayOlu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Olu Olu Oluwa
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Nimekupata nimejipata eeeh
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Olu Olu wonderful Lord aaah
Nimekupata nimejipata eeeh
Olu Olu Wonderful Lord aaah
Walonikataa wananitaka eeeh
Olu Olu wonderful Lord aaah
Audience
The song Oluwa fits best as a song for personal inspiration and entertainment.
Have you listened to the song? Let us know what you think of it in the comments!
[Cover image source: Facebook/Joel Lwaga]