Salsa has been a hugely popular style in Central and West Africa since the 1940s-1950s, and the goal of Africando was to merge salsa rhythms from both sides of the Atlantic, mainly based on the African salsa tradition.
Africando was initiated by West African producer Ibrahim Sylla, Malian arranger Boncana Maiga (of Fania All Stars) and legenday charanga singer Ronnie Baro. Some of the musicians initially involved were: Pape Seck (ex member of Star Band), Nicholas Menheim (associate of Youssou N'Dour), and Medoune Diallo (formerly with Orchestre Baobab).
The first two albums were a big success both in Africa and in the rest of the world. Singer Pape Seck died in 1995, and was replaced by Gnonnas Pedro from Benin (who died August 2005) and Ronnie Baro of Orquestra Broadway.
For the latest albums, well known African musicians, such as Tabu Ley Rochereau, Koffi Olomide, Salif Keita, Sekouba Bambino, Amadou Balake; and Thionne Seck were invited. This new constellation led to the new name Africando All Stars. Whilst in the beginning, the songs were Latin classics sung in wolof language or a mix of wolof and spanish, newer songs were African classics, redone with latin rhythms and instrumentation. With both approaches, Africando has been equally successful.
Aicha
Africando Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Elle est passee a cote de moi
Sans un regard, Reine de Sabbat
J'ai dit, Aisha, prends, tout est pour toi
Voici, les perles, les bijoux
Aussi, l'or autour de ton cou
Les fruits, bien murs au gout de miel
J'irai a ton souffle nous mene
Dans les pays d'ivoire et d'ebene
J'effacerai tes larmes, tes peines
Rien n'est trop beau pour une si belle
Oooh ! Aisha, Aisha, ecoute-moi
Aisha, Aisha, t'en vas pas
Aisha, Aisha, regarde-moi
Aisha, Aisha, reponds-moi
Je dirai les mots des poemes
Je jouerai les musiques du ciel
Je prendrai les rayons du soleil
Pour eclairer tes yeux de reine
Oooh ! Aisha, Aisha, ecoute-moi
Aisha, Aisha, t'en vas pas
Elle a dit, garde tes tresors
Moi, je vaux mieux que tout ca
Des barreaux forts, des barreaux meme en or
Je veux les memes droits que toi
Et du respect pour chaque jour
Moi je ne veux que de l'amour
Aaaah !
Comme si j'n'existais pas
Elle est passee a cote de moi
Sans un regard, Reine de Sabbat
J'ai dit, Aisha, prends, tout est pour toi
Nbrik Aisha ou nmout allik
'Hhadi kisat hayaty oua habbi
Inti omri oua inti hayati
Tmanit niich maake ghir inti
Lalala....lalala...
The lyrics of Africando's song Aicha tell a story of unrequited love and the desire to win over the heart of the woman called Aicha. The singer describes how he feels invisible to her as she passes by without even looking at him, and yet he is willing to give her everything he has. He offers her pearls, jewelry, and ripe fruit, all to win her affection. He even offers to travel with her to far-off lands, wiping away her tears and bringing her joy. Despite his pleas for her to listen, to not leave him, and to respond to him, Aicha remains steadfast in her demand for respect, equality, and love.
The song's verses celebrate the beauty and worthiness of women like Aicha, who deserve to be treated with dignity and honor. The chorus, with its repeated calls for Aicha to listen, to stay, and to respond, emphasizes the depth of the singer's desire and devotion to her. The song ultimately becomes a tribute to all the Aichas of the world, who demand to be seen, heard, and respected.
Line by Line Meaning
Comme si j'n'existais pas
He feels invisible to her, like he doesn't even exist in her eyes.
Elle est passee a cote de moi Sans un regard, Reine de Sabbat
She passed by him without giving him a single glance, like the Queen of Sheba.
J'ai dit, Aisha, prends, tout est pour toi
He offers everything he has to her, telling her that it's all for her.
Voici, les perles, les bijoux Aussi, l'or autour de ton cou Les fruits, bien murs au gout de miel Ma vie, Aisha si tu m'aimes
He presents a list of treasures to her, including pearls, jewels, gold, and ripe fruits, declaring that his life belongs to her if she loves him.
J'irai a ton souffle nous mene Dans les pays d'ivoire et d'ebene J'effacerai tes larmes, tes peines Rien n'est trop beau pour une si belle
He promises to follow her wherever her breath leads them, be it to the lands of ivory and ebony. He vows to wipe away her tears and pains because nothing is too beautiful for her.
Oooh ! Aisha, Aisha, ecoute-moi Aisha, Aisha, t'en vas pas Aisha, Aisha, regarde-moi Aisha, Aisha, reponds-moi
He calls out to her, begging her not to leave, and asking her to listen, look, and respond to him.
Je dirai les mots des poemes Je jouerai les musiques du ciel Je prendrai les rayons du soleil Pour eclairer tes yeux de reine
He claims that he will recite poetry, play celestial music, and use the rays of the sun to light up her eyes like those of a queen.
Elle a dit, garde tes tresors Moi, je vaux mieux que tout ca Des barreaux forts, des barreaux meme en or Je veux les memes droits que toi Et du respect pour chaque jour Moi je ne veux que de l'amour
She responds by telling him to keep his treasures because she deserves better than that. She desires equal rights and respect, and most importantly, love.
Aaaah ! Comme si j'n'existais pas Elle est passee a cote de moi Sans un regard, Reine de Sabbat J'ai dit, Aisha, prends, tout est pour toi
The first stanza is repeated almost exactly, highlighting his frustration and the fact that she didn't even acknowledge his offer.
Nbrik Aisha ou nmout allik 'Hhadi kisat hayaty oua habbi Inti omri oua inti hayati Tmanit niich maake ghir inti
This phrase in Arabic means 'I love you Aisha, I will die for you. This is the story of my life and my love. You are my life and my world. I could only live with you and no one else'.
Lalala....lalala...
The song ends with nonsensical la-la's, perhaps indicating that he has given up and is left with nothing meaningful to say.
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@olamartialsloveneadjakpa4686
Parole de la chanson
Comme si je n'existais pas,
elle est passée à côté de moi
Sans un regard, reine de Saba,
j'ai dit, Aïcha, prends, tout est pour toi
Voici, les perles, les bijoux,
aussi l'or autour de ton cou
Les fruits, biens mûrs au goût de miel,
ma vie, Aicha si tu m'aimes!
J'irai où ton souffle nous mène,
dans les pays d'ivoire et débène
J'effacerais tes larmes, tes peines,
rien n'est trop beau pour une si belle
Aïcha, Aïcha écoute-moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha t'en vas pas,
Aïcha, Aïcha regarde moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha reponds-moi
Je dirais le mots des poèmes,
je jouerais les musiques du ciel,
je prendrais les rayons du soleil,
pour éclairer tes yeux de reine
Oooh! Aïcha, Aïcha écoute-moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha t'en vas pas
Elle a dit: "Garde tes trésors,
moi, je vaux mieux que tout ça.
Des barreaux sont des barreaux même en or
Je veux les mêmes droits que toi
Et du respect pour chaque jour,
moi je ne veux que l'amour"
Nebghik Aicha onmout Aalik
Hadi Sert hayati o houbi
Nti ômri onti hayati
Tmenit niich maak ghir nti
Aïcha, Aïcha, Ana nebghik
Aïcha, Aïcha, t'en vas pas,
Aïcha, Aïcha, onmout aalik
Aïcha, Aïcha, réponds-moi
@simbon5531
Souvenirs intarissables et inoubliables. Paradoxalement, seuls les souvenirs, qu'ils soient tristes ou agréables, permettent toujours de dompter les miasmes de la vie. Bravo Africando.
@michaelbrand8279
This is a great "salsa version" of Kaled's famous song "Aïcha" that I heard last night on the weekly "FrancoMix" show on KRVS/88.7 FM (Lafayette, LA)!
@florencelimande5343
Soul-fulfilling piece of music! Hats-off Africando ! Love your music ❤️
@edwingng7973
I got to know Africando about 25 years ago.
Still listen to their music practically every day... Amazing music and wonderful salsa dancing memories
@athanasegodjo4052
@jackjosephtz3
👍 from Tanzania
@teresamaro9549
2019 never getting tired of listening one of my best track in the world
@danythebest2402
Cool
@edwingng7973
Do you know the song Ntoman? I think it's the best one of Africando (might be a personal choice obviously)
@harlemblackson
Que recuerdos de mi Timbiquí por allá en el 98