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.

Vis ta vie
Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics

Ne perd pas ton temps
baisse pas les bras
Ne perd pas ton temps
baisse pas les bras

Tu vois, vois ,ça tu vois
Tu vois, vois, ça tu vois
Ils sont là à parler
Ils sont là assis là hooo tu vois

On rencontre du monde sur nos routes
On ne sais pas sur qui on va bomber
Des gens qui croient en toi ou
des serpents Avec un grand sourire

Ne parle pas ne raconte pas ta vie
Toute les oreilles ne sont pas propre
Méfies toi de toi congosas
Méfies toi kpakpato
Ils voudrons profite de toi
ils vont te raconter des histoires
Méfies toi des kpakpato
Méfies toi des jaloux

Tu vois, vois ,ça tu vois
Tu vois, vois, ça tu vois
Ils sont là à parler
Ils sont là assis là hooo tu vois

Ne perd pas ton temps
baisse pas les bras
Ne perd pas ton temps
baisse pas les bras

Lyrics © LE CAFE DE LA DANSE, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Written by: Colin LAROCHE DE FELINE, Gnahore DOBET, Tam sir junior yihe NGO NJOCK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS