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 René 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/
Mata Oh A Eh
Dr. Alban Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
Hear my own version of the story:
Talk about freedom, equality and justice
About supression come let me express
I criticize the system about opression
Calling on dictators and political leaders
No more wars, no force, no fights
History will forgive you if you make any change
But will not forgive you if you don't make any change
Tell me how it will be with a system change
In Africa tribes we sing:
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
In the Bible the Lord God said
„Let there be light!“ and there was light
„Let there be peace!“ and there was peace
Lord gave the world life, power an peace
World gave the power to some people
They invented war here and there
Hatred amongst people of the world
Love was buried beyond layers of the earth
Love was a blessing to the world from above
The world neglected it and world was lost
In Africa tribes we sing:
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
Special request to the free world posse:
Deutschland
Switzerland
Holland
England
Austria
Sweden
Belgium
Finland
France
Spain
Italy
Greece
Special request to the Manilla posse
Special request to the Athens posse
Special request to the Turkey posse
Special request to the Austrian posse
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
In Africa tribes we sing
The lyrics to Dr. Alban's song Mata Oh a Eh are a call for freedom and equality, as well as a criticism of systems of oppression and dictatorship. The song begins with "Mata oh a eh oh jo jo," a phrase that is repeated throughout the song and is said to be inspired by the traditional songs of African tribes. The singer then talks about the importance of advocating for freedom, equality, and justice, and calls on political leaders and dictators to give power to the people. He emphasizes that change is necessary, and that history will not forgive those who fail to make change happen.
The lyrics of the second verse refer to the Bible and the idea that God created the world with light and peace, but that power-hungry people have since corrupted that peace with war and hate. The singer laments the loss of love and the neglect of its importance in the world. In the chorus, he once again uses the phrase "Mata oh a eh oh jo jo," emphasizing the importance of traditional African music and the unity it can bring.
In the final verse, the singer makes a special request to various countries and cities worldwide to join in the call for freedom and equality. He repeats the chorus once again, urging everyone to come together in song and solidarity.
Overall, the song is a powerful and uplifting call to action, urging listeners to stand up against oppression and to fight for a fairer, more just world.
Line by Line Meaning
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
Refrain/Chorus
Hear my own version of the story:
The singer shares his perspective
Talk about freedom, equality and justice
Discussing fundamental human rights
About supression come let me express
Sharing his thoughts on suppression
I criticize the system about opression
Critiquing the system for its oppressive nature
Calling on dictators and political leaders
Addressing those in power
Free all the power and give it to the people
Advocating for the liberation of power
No more wars, no force, no fights
Calling for an end to conflict
History will forgive you if you make any change
Emphasizing the importance of change
But will not forgive you if you don't make any change
Highlighting the consequences of not enacting change
Tell me how it will be with a system change
Posing a question about the future
In Africa tribes we sing:
Refrain/Chorus
In the Bible the Lord God said
Citing a religious text
„Let there be light!“ and there was light
Quoting the creation myth
„Let there be peace!“ and there was peace
Advocating for peace
Lord gave the world life, power an peace
Acknowledging a higher power
They invented war here and there
Blaming humans for war
Hatred amongst people of the world
Highlighting the negative effects of hate
Love was buried beyond layers of the earth
Love was overlooked and neglected
Love was a blessing to the world from above
Stating the positive value of love
The world neglected it and world was lost
Suggesting love was not valued and the world became lost
Special request to the free world posse:
Addressing specific groups
Deutschland
Germany
Switzerland
Switzerland
Holland
The Netherlands
England
England
Austria
Austria
Sweden
Sweden
Belgium
Belgium
Finland
Finland
France
France
Spain
Spain
Italy
Italy
Greece
Greece
Special request to the Manilla posse
Addressing a specific group
Special request to the Athens posse
Addressing a specific group
Special request to the Turkey posse
Addressing a specific group
Special request to the Austrian posse
Addressing a specific group
Mata oh a eh oh jo jo
Refrain/Chorus
In Africa tribes we sing:
Refrain/Chorus
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@crisha721
wow! it took me 20 years to find this song, I only remembered "mata oooo aaa eee oyoo"
@aswathyremadevi4251
Same here 😁😂
@sharadmali9536
Lol, You guys are too behind then
@debashishghosal3327
Same here
@vivekj1
Same pinch😀
It took around 25 years for me to find this gem.
@vntimes5560
me too😀👍
@alexanderuas9102
Спасибо Албану за нашу молодость. Долгих лет тебе жизни доктор!!!
@neemadr3950
V danced like anything for this song in our childhood...after 25yrs still I dance whenever. I listenthis song....this song is legend...thanks Dr Alban for giving Suchh super song n making our body n even soul dances forever for this song whenever v listen....👍👍👍
@Hard-Criminal
Like anything???...with many things...naughty.😏😏😏.
@kintuthakkar4364
Same here