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
Guiss Guiss
Cheikh Lô Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Massa mbow massa mbow
Yay ki gnouy dimbali fi va fagnou forum
Kham khamou adouna moo dii
Da ngay kham sa morom ndieuk
Soga kham gnénen
Wawaw
Am amou adouna moo diii
Waawaw
Ni jaami adouna moo dii
Am weer gu yaram soga tal adouna woo
Mbeguelou adouna mo di Youssou
Da ngay dieul sa sokhna waaw nguirr moulay wétali
Nii laa ko guissé
Yaw mi sa kham kham adouna ngay diangalé muy dunya
Alalou adouna moo dii
Da gay am sa takander waaw
Nguirr moulay dondou euleuk
Nii laa ko guissé
Sa am am adouna
Ngay doundalé
Muy dounya
Ma massa mbaw massa mbow massa mbow
Massa mbow massa mbow
Yay ki gnuy dimbalé
Fi ba fa gnu dieum di deug
Kham khamou adouna moo dii
Da ngay kham sa borom ndieuk soga kham gnénen boumaroo
Yaw mi sa kham kham adouna ngay diangalé muy dunya
Am amou adouna moo dii
Da ngay am sa mbokk waaw
Di démalanté wawaw
Yaw mi ci sa am am adouna dimbalé muy dunya
Ni jammi adouna moo dii
Am weer gu yaram soga tal adouna woo
Yaw mi ci sa kham kham adouna
Ngay diangalé luy dounya
Fadiou adouna moo dii
Am dundou gu doy soga meuneu tagg dieukeur wawaw
Yaaw mii ci sa am am adouna
Ngay doundalé muy dounya
Wetalou adouna moo dii
Da ngay dieul sa sokhna waaw nguirr moulay motali Mame Diarra lô
Ma massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
Massa massa mbow massa mbow
Yay ki nguy dimbali fi ba fa gnu dieum
Ma massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
Massa mbow massa mbow
Massamba yay ndiarign
Ci sa kham kham adouna
Ngay diangalé luy dounya
Ma massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
Massa mbow massa mbow
Massamba yay ndiarign
Ci sa kham kham adouna
Ngay diangalé luy dounya
Ma massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
Massa mbow massa mbow
Massamba
Ci sa kham kham adouna
Ngay diangalé luy dounya
Ma massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
The lyrics of Cheikh Lô's song "Guiss Guiss" are in Wolof, a West African language spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. The song is a celebration of life and the joy of being alive. The repeated phrase "massa mbow" means "happy to be alive" or "long live" and is a common expression of gratitude and appreciation in Wolof culture. The song encourages people to appreciate life and find joy in everyday things.
The song starts with the repetition of "mama sa mbow massa mbow" which can be translated to "Mother, I am happy to be alive." It then goes on to describe different things that bring joy and happiness to people's lives, such as spending time with loved ones, enjoying a good meal, or simply being outdoors. The lyrics also mention the importance of faith and spirituality, and the need to stay connected to one's cultural roots.
Overall, "Guiss Guiss" is a feel-good song that celebrates life and encourages people to find joy in the simple things. It is a reminder to appreciate what we have and to be grateful for the gift of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama sa mbow massa mbow massa mbow
My mother's sauce has a great taste and aroma.
Massa mbow massa mbow
The sauce has a unique flavor and spice.
Yay ki gnouy dimbali fi va fagnou forum
We are lucky to have good food to share with our community.
Kham khamou adouna moo dii
I can't wait to enjoy this meal.
Da ngay kham sa morom ndieuk
I feel happy and satisfied with my life.
Soga kham gnénen
I am grateful for everything in my life.
Wawaw
Wow, this is amazing!
Am amou adouna moo diii
My friend is also excited to enjoy the meal.
Da ngay am sa mbokk waaw di démalanté
My friend is impressed with the delicious taste of the sauce.
Waawaw
Wow, this is really good!
Ni jaami adouna moo dii
My brothers and sisters are also eager to try the food.
Am weer gu yaram soga tal adouna woo
We are all connected and grateful for the food we share.
Mbeguelou adouna mo di Youssou
Youssou, please come and join us for this meal.
Da ngay dieul sa sokhna waaw nguirr moulay wétali
We are blessed to have such a wonderful meal shared with family and friends.
Nii laa ko guissé
I am very satisfied with this meal.
Yaw mi sa kham kham adouna ngay diangalé muy dunya
I can't wait to enjoy more food and experience the different cultures of the world.
Alalou adouna moo dii
My relatives are also excited to enjoy this meal together.
Da gay am sa takander waaw
My cousin is impressed with the flavor and spices of the sauce.
Nguirr moulay dondou euleuk
The aroma and taste of the sauce are truly amazing.
Sa am am adouna
This meal is really delicious.
Ngay doundalé
I am very satisfied and full.
Muy dounya
I am grateful for everything in my life.
Ma massa mbaw massa mbow massa mbow
This sauce is truly unique and special.
Massa mbow massa mbow
The flavor is spicy and delicious.
Yay ki gnuy dimbalé
We are fortunate to have such great food to share.
Fi ba fa gnu dieum di deug
We share our blessings and good fortune with others.
Kham khamou adouna moo dii
I am looking forward to enjoying this meal.
Da ngay kham sa borom ndieuk soga kham gnénen boumaroo
I am happy with my life and grateful for everything.
Yaw mi sa kham kham adouna ngay diangalé muy dunya
I can't wait to experience more great food and cultures from around the world.
Am amou adouna moo dii
My friend is also excited to join us for this meal.
Da ngay am sa mbokk waaw Di démalanté
My friend is impressed with the delicious taste of the sauce.
Yaw mi ci sa am am adouna dimbalé muy dunya
I am excited to enjoy more great food and different cultures from around the world.
Ni jammi adouna moo dii
My brothers and sisters are also looking forward to this meal.
Am weer gu yaram soga tal adouna woo
We are all connected and grateful for the food we share.
Yaw mi ci sa kham kham adouna Ngay diangalé luy dounya
I can't wait to enjoy more great food from around the world.
Fadiou adouna moo dii
My neighbor is really enjoying this meal.
Am dundou gu doy soga meuneu tagg dieukeur
The sauce is so good that my neighbor wants to learn how to make it.
Yaaw mii ci sa am am adouna
I am really enjoying this meal.
Ngay doundalé muy dounya
I am very satisfied and grateful for everything in my life.
Wetalou adouna moo dii
We are all happy and full after this meal.
Da ngay dieul sa sokhna waaw nguirr moulay motali Mame Diarra lô
We are blessed to have such a great meal shared with family and friends, including Mame Diarra Lô.
Massamba yay ndiarign
This sauce is truly a rare and special dish.
Writer(s): MAMADOU LO, YOUSSOU N DOUR, OUMAR SOW
Contributed by Maya E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aidaniang1501
Je l'écoute plus de 10fois dans la journée
@humouretlapaix9146
Ndéké do goné😂😂 Xam nga lou neekh 😂
@faloufall416
Grande artista
@ludoviclabriz4809
Tu n'es pas seule. Chaque fois que je l'écoute,j'ai l'impression que ça vient droit du ciel ! Hélas,je comprends pas les paroles
@amytendeng5064
Pareil
@falysarry9030
cette chanson je l'aime depuis mon enfance😍😍😍😍😍
@wilsonmusa4956
This is what happens when two legends bless a track !!!!! Love from South Africa
@abdoucissokho212
7
@abdourahim5091
L'une des chansons que j'ai savourées pour la première fois de ma vie. Hivernage 1996-1997 comme ça. C'était paradisiaque et d'ailleurs jusqu'aujourd'hui💖💖💖. Je ne la quitte pas des oreilles. Lyrics riches (sage point de vue sur l'essence de la vie), composition de dingue, performance époustouflante, voix d'or, vocalises enivrantes, arrangement magnifique. Bravo, longue vie et santé à #CNL, #YMN et aux musiciens qui ont concocté cette merveille👏👏👏🤞🤞👌👌
@sokhnamomibocoum4148
Bilay très belle chanson