Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inh… Read Full Bio ↴Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inherited the force of the “Bété“ tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking.

It was within this Ivory Coast-based company that Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline. Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin (in 1999) to form a duo, Ano Neko, which means “Let’s create together“ in Bété language. The duo toured widely in France (1999-2000) where they settled temporarily. They also worked together on the creation with Ba Cissoko of “Le Cabaret Nomade“ and “L’Entre Deux Monde“.

When they returned to Abidjan in 2001, they took part in the MASA Off festival and, while they were there, recorded eight songs under the supervision of the late Marcellin Yacé.

In 2003, their artistic project refocused on Dobet Gnahoré and expanded when a backup vocalist and a percussionist joined them. They produced her first album entitled “Ano Neko“. This CD comprises songs recorded in Abidjan and others recorded in Belgium during the summer of 2003.

From Mandingue melodies to Congolese rumba, from Ivory Coast Ziglibiti to Cameroon Bikoutsi, from Ghanian High-Life to Zulu choirs, their compositions, carried along with jazz-like sounds, are varied and colourful. The sanza, the balafon, the calebasse and bongos are brought in to support the guitar, the vocal backup and Dobet’s warm and powerful voice...

Dobet sings in a range of African languages including Bété, Fon, Baoule, Lingala, Malinke, Mina or Bambara, thereby reproducing the Pan-African tradition of the Ki Yi Mbock group.

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Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Dobet Gnahoré:

Afrika Tu es mon inspiration, berceau du monde Ta beauté m’enflamme…
Akissi la rebelle Bayemi ssa ho, bayemi ssa ho Kalemizoo le Kalemizoo kalemizo…
Boudou Magnlon aglon ah boudou monglè Mon non on ka liè o…
Côte d'Ivoire J'suis ivoirien de père et de mère Te cache pas, viens…
Dala Wouè me non biako Kpata gbalé é Biako Enè Wouè me non Biako …
Deka Dialect wiyo edo gnin wiyo edo gnin teo mo kou…
Désert o?wasouna han ke?ne? wassouna o?wasouna han ke?ne? wassouna …
Détenon Détênon, monlé yorovala, paléagné ané yala yêlê. Na bôô, aka…
Inyembezi Zam Ndiyeke ndife Ndikhalin yembezi zegazi Ndifunukufa ndidedwaj…

Issa Wéha Wééha Ikana djouya idjéréla Idissé kafra finyéla I d…
Kokpa Wabia kopkpamela dekpako Assê koa bala kokpa wanè Ninin indj…
La clé Énohouné kpohoubibimé, gnêpêgnonhou diodioko Na guéléé mé na…
Le Monde Da la da la gbôa ayouno né pieds nus Da la…
Lobé Ôné yala yêlê légba ôka djélé adja nôhommé sôka pamé. Ôto…
Love L’amour a une peau de velours Love has a velvet…
Miziki Loû diè ha gbou man wouloumi Loû diè ha gbou man…
Palea Paléa Pkêhi nihaa goné Paléa missé Pkê-hi ni-ha goné ho Wôl…
Samahani Nisamehehe, kwa imani yangu mbaya Nisamehe, kwa kuwa mbali e…
Vis ta vie Ne perd pas ton temps baisse pas les bras Ne perd…

Zina She's weak, she's fragile You keep her in a cage T…

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