Signed to XL Recordings, they released the Oya EP in June 2014 which also includes the song River. Mama says was released in November, extracted from their eponymous Richard Russell produced album launched in February 16th, 2015. A third song from "Ibeyi", Ghosts, was promoted in January 2015 before they embarked on an extensive European and US Tour.
http://www.ibeyi.fr
Deathless
Ibeyi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(He said, he said)
Do you smoke?
What's your name?
Do you know why I'm here?
(She was, she was)
Innocent
Sweet sixteen
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
(He said, he said)
You're not clean
You might deal
All the same with that skin
(She was, she was)
Final looks
With her books
Left for dead in the streets
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
The song "Deathless" by the French-Cuban musical duo, Ibeyi, is a powerful anthem of resilience and self-empowerment in the face of discrimination, violence, and oppression. The lyrics recount a conversation between a man and a woman, where the man questions the woman's background and intentions while making assumptions about her based on her appearance. Despite his attempts to belittle her and make her feel less than, she refuses to be defined by his narrow-mindedness and declares herself as "deathless".
The repetition of the phrase "Whatever happens, whatever happened, we are deathless" is a bold statement of defiance against anyone or anything that might try to diminish or harm their sense of self-worth and humanity. The fact that the song features portions of a speech by Michelle Obama in which she says, "I have been at every table, I have worked at every stage", reinforces the idea that the struggle for equality and human dignity is ongoing and requires continuous effort and vigilance.
Overall, "Deathless" aims to inspire listeners to embrace their own strength and resilience, to stand up and speak out against injustice, and to celebrate the unyielding human spirit that cannot be defeated.
Line by Line Meaning
(He said, he said)
The singer is setting the overall scene and introducing the first character.
(He said, he said)
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the importance of the character's words.
Do you smoke?
The character is asking the second character if she does drugs.
What's your name?
The character is asking the second character for her name.
Do you know why I'm here?
The character is asking the second character if she knows why he has approached her.
(She was, she was)
The singer is introducing the second character and describing her state.
Innocent
The second character is described as innocent.
Sweet sixteen
The second character is described as being sixteen years old.
Frozen with fear
The second character is so scared that she cannot move.
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
The artist is saying that regardless of past events or future outcomes, they will remain strong and defiant.
We are deathless
The singer and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
We are deathless
The artist and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
You're not clean
The first character is accusing the second character of being involved in drugs or other illicit activities.
You might deal
The first character is saying that the second character may engage in drug dealing.
All the same with that skin
The first character is referencing the second character's race or ethnicity, implying that it is a factor in their judgment of her.
(She was, she was)
The artist is referring to the second character again.
Final looks
The second character is described as giving a final look, possibly implying that she knows she is about to be hurt or killed.
With her books
The second character is described as holding her books, which may represent her innocence or youth.
Left for dead in the streets
The second character is abandoned, injured or killed in public without anyone to help her.
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
The artist is restating their commitment to staying strong and unbroken in the face of trauma.
We are deathless
The artist and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
We are deathless
The artist and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
The singer is restating their commitment to staying strong and unbroken in the face of trauma.
We are deathless
The artist and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
We are deathless
The singer and the second character will not be destroyed by violence or trauma.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Lisa-Kainde Diaz, Naomi Diaz, Kamasi Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizal.8473
These girls are COMMUNISTS. In Cuba we are taught to hate the “Yankees”, hate the USA & hate Capitalism. Their father was a musician during the USSR era of Cuba & was always traveling out of Cuba when it was ILLEGAL for average Cubans to do so. They praise Che & Fidel openly & preach Communism during their interviews WHILE earning Capitalist foreign dollars. Those dictators (Fidel murdered Che over power, every Cubans knows that) are the reason Cuba is a rotting, disgusting, vile, shameful & oppressive country.
This a video of Che, Fidel & Camilo sentencing black men to a firing squad WITHOUT a trial on NATIONAL CUBAN TELEVISION:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogKBqxnaWhU
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THESE WOMEN LOOK UP TO!
They should be be ashamed & exiled (like millions of Cubans have been since 1959) because of their Anti-American agenda. Don’t support these ladies, you Yankees! They HATE you & always will just like their "role models" have taught them to.
@sabinatkachuk5591
(He said, he said)
(He said, he said)
Do you smoke?
What's your name?
Do you know why I'm here?
(She was, she was)
Innocent
Sweet sixteen
Frozen with fear
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
(He said, he said)
You're not clean
You might deal
All the same with that skin
(She was, she was)
Final looks
With her books
Left for dead in the streets
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
Whatever happens, whatever happened (oh hey)
We are deathless
We are deathless
@LadyShaQui
To me this video is a representation of your higher self. Most times we look in the sky or other places for a savior. Yet our truth and its answers are within. I appreciate this beautiful reminder.
@yevgeniyaleshchenko849
Beautiful interpretation!
@waldobaez4751
a collab between ibeyi and solange would be a spiritual journey
@MZPOETSKYLOVEBLACK
Yes❤
@talitam.8414
OMG YES! 🙌🏾
@modjo5284
Definitely!
@flymamma2666
Obviously THEY SCARED OF TRU GODDESSES WHO GOT ALL THEY SHYT NATURAL....SOLANGE IS STILL A KNOWLES.....N A THIEF ASK @ALEXYSSKTYLOR SHE HAD HER CHICKS TRY N STEAL #VAGINAPOWER
@marianina0731
Damn you're right
@shalayadavis4156
"They tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds."
@olivedabove
Super Hans not everything has to be political