The son of a successful jeweler, Lô was born in Bobo-Dioulasso, a small village near Senegal's border with Mali. He grew up speaking Bambara, Wolof, and French. As a youngster, he became fascinated with music and taught himself to play drums and guitar. In 1976, he accepted an invitation to join a local group, Orchestra Volta Jazz, as a percussionist. He remained with the band until moving to the capital city of Dakar in 1980.
Lô quickly became involved with the music scene of Dakar. After a three-year stint as drummer for progressive vocalist Ouza, he joined the house band at the Hotel Savana in 1984. Although he performed with the group for a little over a year, the experience exposed him to a global range of pop influences.
Emigrating to France in 1985, Lô found work as a session drummer in Paris. Soon afterward, he purchased his first guitar and began writing songs. Although he formed a band with Ivoirean and French musicians and began working on an album in 1987, the group separated before its completion. Lô's debut solo album, Doxandeme (Immigrants), was released as a cassette in 1990. Despite receiving a Nouveau Talent award, the album fell short of Lô's artistic expectations. Although he began working on a second album, he became disenchanted and canceled the project. For the next four years, he maintained a low profile.
In 1995, Lô convinced Youssou N'Dour, whom he met in 1989 while playing on an album by traditional Wolof griot singer N'diaga M'baye, to produce an album for him. The resulting album, Ne La Thiass, was released on N'Dour's label, Jololi, shortly before Lô joined the multi-artist Jololi Revue tour in November 1996. Lô continued to promote the album during a European tour with his own eight-piece band, N'Diguel, in April 1997. The same year, Lô received Best Newcomer and Kora All-American awards in South Africa. Lô continued to expand his following to the United States as a featured performer with Africa Fete in 1998. The following year, he received the Ordre National de Merite de Leon from the president of Senegal. In 2000, he returned to recording with the release of Bambay Gueej. The title means "bamba, ocean of peace," and was co-produced by Nick Gold and Youssou N'Dour. Lamp Fall appeared in 2006 from Nonesuch Records. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
Degg Gui
Cheikh Lô Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala
Ta khaw si degg gui degg la, nélaw si degg gui degg la
Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Mentira traz medo e dor
A verdade e bem mais simples nos conectados
Num canal de amor
Mentira nao
Nos deixa dormir
Andar de cabeça erguida
Soluçao tomada
Parar de mentir
Abre abre o seu coraçao hoje
Ele te salvara amanha
Salvara amanha
Salvara amanha
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Deggeu si deggui deggala, nélaw si degg gui deggala
Nga takhaw si deggui deggala, degg degg, deggui deggla
Kham nga louma nékh si yow daddy sagna koor dior
Ndakh degg gui, dancoy dawal bamu matt
We, wo, la… Degg gui, yé, degg gui, degg gui deggala
Lalala li… Waw ni deggla
The lyrics to Cheikh Lô's song Degg Gui seem to be a blend of Wolof, French, and Portuguese languages. The song appears to talk about the importance of honesty and truth in our lives. The phrase 'Ta khaw si degg gui degg la, nélaw si degg gui degg la, Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala' translates to 'If you say the truth, you will suffer, If you don't say the truth, you will suffer, If you say the truth, you will still suffer, but not for long.' It seems to encourage people to speak the truth instead of living in denial or being dishonest.
The phrase 'Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma, Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou Thi degg gui deggala' is translated to 'Beware of evil tongues, they are like baobab trees. If you want to cut it down, it will cause you pain. Despite all these, speak the truth.' The baobab tree is significant because of its size and strength, which means that cutting it down is a difficult task that comes with consequences. It could mean that speaking the truth could be challenging, but it is necessary in one's growth and development.
The last phrase 'Kham nga louma nékh si yow daddy sagna koor dior Ndakh degg gui, dancoy dawal bamu matt We, wo, la… Degg gui, yé, degg gui, degg gui deggala Lalala li… Waw ni deggla' is almost incomprehensible, but it appears to be a mixture of Wolof, Portuguese, and English. It could mean, 'when you see what your father has done in his life, follow the path he has created for you so that you will not be lost. Degg Gui, Degg Gui deggala.' The song seems to be communicating some African values about truth, honesty, and the impact of our actions on those who come after us.
Line by Line Meaning
Ta khaw si degg gui degg la, nélaw si degg gui degg la
When you're hungry or thirsty, you'll go to the place where you can be satisfied
Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala
When you're in need of something, you'll keep seeking it until you find it
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Sometimes the situation you're in is tough, but you have to find a way to survive
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou Thi degg gui deggala
Even when everything seems to be going wrong, you need to keep going to get to where you want to be
Mentira traz medo e dor
Lies bring fear and pain
A verdade e bem mais simples nos conectados
The truth is simple when we are connected
Num canal de amor
In a channel of love
Mentira nao
No more lies
Nos deixa dormir
They let us sleep
Andar de cabeça erguida
To walk with your head held high
Soluçao tomada
Solution found
Parar de mentir
To stop lying
Abre abre o seu coraçao hoje
Open your heart today
Ele te salvara amanha
It will save you tomorrow
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Sometimes the situation you're in is tough, but you have to find a way to survive
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou Thi degg gui deggala
Even when everything seems to be going wrong, you need to keep going to get to where you want to be
Deggeu si deggui deggala, nélaw si degg gui deggala
When you need something, you'll go to the place where you can get it
Nga takhaw si deggui deggala, degg degg, deggui deggla
When you're thirsty or hungry, you'll keep searching until you find it
Kham nga louma nékh si yow daddy sagna koor dior
You need to take care of yourself and find your own way in life
Ndakh degg gui, dancoy dawal bamu matt
If you look carefully, you'll find what you're looking for
We, wo, la… Degg gui, yé, degg gui, degg gui deggala
Yes, yes, yes... go to the place where you can be fulfilled, go to the place where you can be happy
Lalala li… Waw ni deggla
Singing... come and taste it
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, VAGH ET WEINMANN MUSIC, WAGRAM PUBLISHING, SPACE PARTY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Flavia COELHO SILVA, MAMADOU MOUSTAPHA LO, François Xavier Bossard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kafkant9021
Ta khaw si degg gui degg la, nélaw si degg gui degg la
Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala
Ta khaw si degg gui degg la, nélaw si degg gui degg la
Nga diogui si degg gui degg la, degguit degguit, degg gui deggala
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Mentira traz medo e dor
A verdade e bem mais simples nos conectados
Num canal de amor
Mentira nao
Nos deixa dormir
Andar de cabeça erguida
Soluçao tomada
Parar de mentir
Abre abre o seu coraçao hoje
Ele te salvara amanha
Salvara amanha
Salvara amanha
Kharitt sama wakhma degg yow, li thi ganaw degg guenalouma
Naniou mouri mbalanou wakhantoubi, té dioublou
Thi degg gui deggala
Deggeu si deggui deggala, nélaw si degg gui deggala
Nga takhaw si deggui deggala, degg degg, deggui deggla
Kham nga louma nékh si yow daddy sagna koor dior
Ndakh degg gui, dancoy dawal bamu matt
We, wo, la… Degg gui, yé, degg gui, degg gui deggala
Lalala li… Waw ni deggla
@khadidjamyma
Standing in front of the truth is true, sleeping with the truth is true
Coming from the truth is true, this truth this truth, the truth is true
Standing in front of the truth is true, sleeping with the truth is true
You coming from the truth is true, this truth this truth, the truth is true
Friend of mine tell me the truth, what's behind truth is not likable
Lets not waste time on small talk and look forward to the truth that is true
Friend of mine tell me the truth, what's behind truth is not likable
Lets not waste time on small talk and look forward to the truth that is true
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND PORTUGESE, GOOGLE TRANSLATE WILL PROBABLY DO
Friend of mine tell me the truth, what's behind truth is not what I would like
Lets not waste time on small talk and look forward to the truth that is true
Living in the truth is true, sleeping with the truth is true
You standing in front of the truth is true, this truth this truth, the truth is true
You know what I like about you Daddy Sagna, The beloved of Dior
Cause the truth, you give it entirely
We, wo, la ...the truth, yé, the truth, the truth is true
Lalala li...Yes its true
@Faalasenegalaise1128
Je l’écoute toujours en 2023 ❤ le meilleur musicien Cheikh Ndigueul Lo ❤ les paroles , les images …tout est original ☺️ le grand artiste Mentor Ba est dans le clip Repose en paix 🪦 légende ❤️ à jamais ✨
@chriseso8346
Trop fort ! il s'appelle Cheikh Lo et moi j'ai entendu shake l'eau (traduction : agiter , secouer l'eau). Alors, pour moi, ce gars c'est l'OCEAN ! TOPPPPP !
@amadoukane_
Waouh. Joli
Merci pour ce clin d'œil à notre artiste international.
@sirafla
Degg gui signifie la vérité en ouolof, une langue du Sénégal. L'atmosphère évoque le paganisme des adeptes d'une religion traditionnelle qui croit aux forces de la nature et de ses éléments. Ils sont très souvent confrontés à ceux qui contestent leurs habits colorés faits de morceaux de tissus, leurs coupes de cheveux peu conventionnelles, leurs modes d'expressions par la musique, la danse, la méditation, la décontraction et la liberté en général. Inoffensifs, rêveurs, chanteurs, ils dérangent ceux qui ne les comprennent pas. Mais ils s'en moquent et vivent comme ça et vivent longtemps.
@mbouroumbourou3468
L’impression de marché sur l’air, de flotter quand j’écoute sa musique… Cheikh lo fait et refait du cheikh lo et on aime ça ! il nous surprend mais on est pas étonné. Cheikh lo ça s’écoute, ça se danse, ça se vibre et ça « s’enjoy ». J’espère que dinala meusseu sétane si scene. Et merci encore. Dieurejeuf bayefall.
@Ray-qf6ux
Merci Chantal pour cette découverte ❣♬
Une musique superbe métissée afro cubaine antillaise brésilienne française...
Quand je pense qu'il y a encore des xénophobes en France alors que c'est un enrichissement permanent dans tous les domaines. Connaître l'autre, c'est se connaître. N'en déplaise à Marine ☠
@ashenafi7460
Thank you so much Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Ivory coast, and more.. I fall in love with Saharan Africa music.
@remalofficiel1449
J’adore cette chanson qui est encore là en 2022?❤️
@cjrosso
Flávia Coelho voice is just beautiful!!!!
@abdoudiop9895
Tout y est. La voix, le rythme les images. C'est époustouflant. Un vrai artiste