Gratitude: Awu Wemadoda
- Deric Hollings
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
When eating breakfast after conducting physical training today, I listened to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Lexa Raballo during which she spun “Awu Wemadoda [(Extended Club Mix)]” (2023) by Spencer Brown, Wilt Claybourne, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Regarding the afro house track, one source claims that the South African lyrics translate to “men, please catch that dog, it bites.” As I have no way of verifying the translation, I’ll presume it’s accurate, because “awu” makes the same sound as “ou” from the expression of pain “ouch!”
This morning, while eating and listening to the song, I experienced gratitude—a sense of thankfulness and happiness in response to receiving a gift, either a tangible benefit (e.g., a present, favor) given by someone or a fortunate happenstance (e.g., a beautiful day).
I’m thankful for music that provides respite (an interval of rest or relief) from the cruelties I intentionally face within the world. As an amateur Stoic who practices Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on a daily basis, I’m grateful for songs like “Awu Wemadoda”.
In my blog, I don’t share some of the stories of clients with whom I work that represent the outright meanness of which fallible human beings are capable. Though in anonymized fashion, I use professional anecdotes of a less challenging nature to demonstrate practice of REBT.
Some of the more difficult accounts about which I don’t write are matters with which I’ve been familiar since childhood. If I didn’t practice REBT in my own time, then I’d likely have a much harder experience than necessary when working with clients.
Thus, I appreciate momentary pauses during which I listen to EDM DJ sets. This morning, “Awu Wemadoda” served as a brief period of healthy escapism as I ate. Afterwards, I was ready to roll up my proverbial sleeves and face the metaphorical dog of life. “Awu wemadoda,” indeed!
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Anjunabeats Wiki. (n.d.). Wilt Claybourne. Retrieved from https://anjunafamily.fandom.com/wiki/Wilt_Claybourne
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Gratitude. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/gratitude
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Lexa Raballo. (2025, May 14). Dreamysunrise DJ set @ Lake Como, Italy / Melodic & afro house [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/zjazNH3oo-8?si=ISuas-upm2INHMF_
Soundcloud. (n.d.). Lexa Raballo. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/lexa-raballo
Spencer Brown. (2023, August 10). Awu Wemadoda (Extended Club Mix) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/fHsAtjBqp5Q?si=sOczrSBkq6_39YXm
Spencer Brown. (2023, August 23). Spencer Brown, Wilt Claybourne & Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Awu Wemadoda (Official music video) [Image; video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/IU5cJtWavDU?si=3VQ-k-P-kyscVi-4
Systemstheorist. (2023). Spencer Brown’s Awu Wemadoda lyrics translated? Reddit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/AboveandBeyond/comments/165o8el/spencer_browns_awu_wemadoda_lyrics_translated/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Afro house. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_house
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladysmith_Black_Mambazo
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Spencer Brown (musician). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Brown_(musician)
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