Dr. Alban (born August 26, 1957 as Alban Nwapa in Nigeria) grew up listening to Fela Kuti and James Brown. At age 23, he began studying dentistry. In order to be able to finance his university studies the music-loving medical student started making his own music. During this time Alban worked as a DJ in the well known Stockholm club 'Alphabet Street'. Very quickly his name became widely known, especially since Alban often sang to the records he put on the turntable as a DJ. DJ RenΓ© couldn't help but notice him and so the highly intelligent medical student was discovered. But first Alban finished his studies and even opened his own dentistry practice.
In 1990, he met Denniz PoP from the SweMix label. Alban laid aside his dentist's drill and realised his dream. Together with Denniz and Rap-Queen Leila K, his first record, Hello Africa - his declaration of love for his African home - broke all records. Alban Nwapa became Dr. Alban. His debut-album Hello Africa sold roughly 1 million copies world-wide.
One year later this success was surpassed by the second album One Love. 1.6 million singles of the song It's My Life were sold.
The album immediately sold over 1.7 million units. Then followed the albums Look Who's Talking and Born In Africa. All in all, Dr. Alban can look back on world-wide sales of over 5 million albums and over 6 million singles, which resulted in 7 times Silver, 30 times Gold and 30 times Platinum. His hit No Coke was even used to illustrate an anti-drugs campaign in Sweden.
After a re-release of No Coke, Dr. Alban confirmed his Euro dance style with his hits Look Who's Talking and Let The Beat Go On.
He created his own record company 'dr.records', on which he released Born in Africa, the first CD recorded completely in his studios. He became the producer of many artists such as La Cream.
More recently, his voice was featured on Sash!'s single Colour The World.
In 2000, he released the album titled Prescription.
In 2002 Dr. Alban featured Yamboo to release a remix for Sing Hallelujah!.
In 2007 Dr. Alban released the album titled Back To Basics.
Official website: http://www.dralban.net/
Free Up Soweto
Dr. Alban Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Killer rhythm
I tell you this one is a killer rhythm
When mi come a Soweto say mi hear killer rhythm
From Soweto a say mi go a Cape Town
From Cape Town a say mi a go to Durban
From Durban a say mi meet Mandela
Mi no like what a go on in a the system
Mi no like what a go on in a the system
Police brutality we can't take that no more
Mi no want no Babylon
A mi no want no system
Free up Soweto
Jah send mi come follow me
Jah send mi come come hey
Jah send mi for come a Soweto
Kru kpa kpa
Jah send mi for come meet Mandela
When we meet Mandela say we chart politics
Say we chart Sweden a say we chart Soweto
Police brutality we can't take that no more
Mi no like the Babylon mi no like the system
Mi no like the Babylon mi no like the system
Mi no like what are go on
In a the system right
Killer rhythm follow me
Killer rhythm
Kru... kpa
The lyrics of Dr. Alban's song "Free Up Soweto" speak about his experience traveling throughout South Africa, starting in Soweto, where he hears a "killer rhythm." As he moves from city to city, he expresses his opposition to the current political system, particularly police brutality, and his desire for freedom from Babylonian rule. When he meets Nelson Mandela, they discuss politics and the need for change.
The song highlights Dr. Alban's personal connection to the struggles of South Africans, particularly those fighting against the apartheid system. The repetition of "I no like the Babylon, I no like the system" indicates his strong opposition to the ruling powers and the oppression they impose on the people.
The line "Jah send mi come follow me" is a reference to Rastafarianism, a religion that originated in Jamaica and is closely associated with reggae music. Rastafarians believe in the importance of social justice and freedom from oppression.
Overall, "Free Up Soweto" is a powerful call for resistance against the systems of power that oppress individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Rhythm killer hey rhythm killer
This rhythm is so powerful and captivating that it could kill someone
I tell you this one is a killer rhythm
This particular rhythm is incredibly strong and influential
When mi come a Soweto say mi hear killer rhythm
When I arrived in Soweto, I heard this extremely potent rhythm
From Soweto a say mi go a Cape Town
I left Soweto and went to Cape Town
From Cape Town a say mi a go to Durban
From Cape Town, I moved on to Durban
From Durban a say mi meet Mandela
While in Durban, I had the opportunity to meet Mandela
When me meet Mandela a say we chart politics
When I met Mandela, we talked about politics
Mi no like what a go on in a the system
I dislike how things are operating within the current system
Police brutality we can't take that no more
We cannot tolerate any more instances of police brutality
Mi no want no Babylon
I do not want to be oppressed or controlled by any Babylonian forces
A mi no want no system
I do not want to be a part of a system that is corrupt and unjust
Free up Soweto
We must liberate Soweto from any oppressive forces
Jah send mi come follow me
Jah sent me, follow my lead
Jah send mi come come hey
Jah sent me, come with me
Jah send mi for come a Soweto
Jah sent me to come to Soweto
Kru kpa kpa
Onomatopoeia for the beat of the rhythm
When we meet Mandela say we chart politics
When we met Mandela, we had a discussion about politics
Say we chart Sweden a say we chart Soweto
We talked about both Sweden and Soweto
Mi no like the Babylon mi no like the system
I dislike any forces that seek to oppress or control me
Mi no like what are go on
I do not approve of what is happening
In a the system right
Within the current system, things are not right
Killer rhythm follow me
This powerful rhythm follows me wherever I go
Kru... kpa
Onomatopoeia for the beat of the rhythm
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBAN NWAPA, MOSES NGWENYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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