The duo produced music that mixed traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "Afro-blues".
In 2004 they put out an acclaimed album produced by Manu Chao.
In 2006 they were acknowledged with BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the two categories: Africa and Album of the Year (for the "Dimanche à Bamako" release).
In 2008 they released their 6th album Welcome To Mali with the participation of K'Naan, Keziah Jones, -M- and Damon Albarn. Their song "Sabali" was placed 15 on Pitchfork Media's Top 100 Best Tracks of 2008.
The duo won the Best Group category in the inaugural Songlines Music Awards (2009) – announced 1 May 2009 – the new world music awards organised by the UK-based magazine, Songlines.
Their eighth album Folila was released on 2 April 2012. Folila, which means "music" in Bambara, was recorded in Bamako and New York with special guests including Santigold, TV on the Radio, and Jake Shears.
On 22 September 2017 they released their album La Confusion.
www.amadou-mariam.com
M'bifé blues
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Djara bi m'bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Ka na ta ka né to
Djani ne m'bifé
Djani ne bé-fé
Djani ne
Chéri je t'aime
Mon amour, je t'aime
Ne pars pas sans moi
Garçon je t'aime
En vérité je t'aime
Viens chéri, j'ai besoin de toi
N'écoute pas les "on dit"
Tu m'aimes, je t'aime où est le problème?
Chéri m'bifé
Djara bi m'bifé
The lyrics to Amadou & Mariam's song M'bifé Blues is written in the Bambara language, and it's a song about love, longing, and passion. The phrase "m'bifé" means "my heart" and is used throughout the song to express the depth of the singer's emotions. The repetition of the phrase in the verses and chorus gives the song a sense of urgency and yearning.
The first verse talks about the singer's heart and their need for their lover. They plead with their partner not to leave without them, expressing how much they need them. The second verse is a declaration of love, where the singer tells their lover not to pay attention to rumors or what others say, but to focus on the fact that they love each other. The chorus repeats the phrase "m'bifé" to emphasize the depth of their affection.
The song's musical style combines traditional African rhythms with bluesy guitar riffs, creating a unique sound that pays tribute to the band's roots while also incorporating modern influences. The use of the djembe, a West African hand drum, adds to the song's rhythmic complexity and creates a powerful, driving beat.
The song's lyrics have been compared to traditional West African love songs, where the singers express their emotions directly and passionately. The lyrics also explore the themes of separation and longing, which are common in many African love songs. M'bifé Blues has been praised for its emotional depth and sincerity, as well as its unique blend of African and Western musical traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Chéri m'bifé
Sweetheart, I'm begging you
Djara bi m'bifé
My love, I'm begging you
Ka na ta ka né to
Don't leave me behind
Ka na ta ka né to
Don't leave me behind
Djani ne m'bifé
I love you, sweetheart
Djani ne bé-fé
I truly love you
Djani ne
I love you
Contributed by Kylie H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LucasBorioMakeUp
This song allways destroyed me. Feel so blessed to have been raised with this album as a little kid. In a way, it made and makes part of the musician i am today
@audreygabon9605
Tanti Reina et Aissata c'est pour vous!❤
@javibcht
Me hizo llorar sin entender el idioma. No hay barreras en el arte, en el amor, en el querer.
Estas lágrimas las agradezco
@thomastyldum9379
Hauntingly beautiful! I belive mbife means «love» in the mali language Bambera.
@titou1456
Mariam,,,tu as tout à fait raison...
On ne vit pas pour les autres...♥️👍
@gerardvermeer2
Proverbe Xhosa: on ne devient un person que avec des autres persons
@rorolouise4325
Cette chanson est juste parfaite ! Bravo c’est vraiment génial !
@gerardvermeer2
C’est une tres bonne combination, parfaitement faite
@danieleeggenschwiler9920
How beautiful, my heart is dancing 💙 Amadou and Mariam, see you in December 2018 in Switzerland 😍
@rogerio.amancio
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!