Ismaël Lô is a versatile singer and artist, he plays the guitar and the har… Read Full Bio ↴Ismaël Lô is a versatile singer and artist, he plays the guitar and the harmonica. He was born in Dogondoutchi in Niger on 30 August 1956 to a Senegalese father and a Nigerian mother. Shortly after Lô's birth the family returned to Senegal where they settled in the town of Rufisque, near the capital Dakar.

In the 1970s, Lô studied at the School of Art in Dakar later joining the popular Super Diamono. He left the group in 1984 to start a solo career. Over the next four years Lô recorded five popular solo albums.

In 1990 Lô signed a recording deal with Barclay and recorded in France his sixth solo album, Ismaël Lô. Thanks to the success of the single Tajabone the album became a hit in the European charts. The album launched his international career.

Iso was recorded and released in 1994, and also became a success. The album contains soft guitar melodies and traditional senegalese mbalax. The following year Lô toured in Africa. The compilation album Jammu Africa was released in 1996.

In 1999, Tajabone was featured in Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother.

Raciste
Ismaël Lô Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Raciste tu es vraiment inconscient
Raciste tu es vraiment fatigué

Raciste tu es vraiment inconscient
Raciste tu es vraiment fatigué

As-tu déjà vu du sang noir
As-tu déjà vu du sang blanc

As-tu déjà vu du sang jaune

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ismaël Lô's song "Raciste" address the issue of racism, condemning those who hold discriminatory views towards people of different races. The repetition of the phrase "raciste tu es vraiment inconscient" and "raciste tu es vraiment fatigué" highlights the frustration and repetition of having to confront racism time and time again.

The following lines challenge the racist's ignorance, asking if they have ever seen the blood of people of different races. This is a poignant reminder that despite the differences in skin tone and cultural background, we are all the same on the inside. The lyrics suggest that racism is not only hurtful, it is also senseless and unfounded.

Overall, the song is a powerful message against racism, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating diversity. It encourages listeners to confront their own prejudices and to work towards creating a society where every person is valued and respected regardless of their race.

Line by Line Meaning

Raciste tu es vraiment inconscient
You hold racist beliefs without realizing the harm and ignorance they cause

Raciste tu es vraiment fatigué
Your prejudice and hate have made you tired, draining your energy and empathy

As-tu déjà vu du sang noir
Have you ever realized that the color of one's skin does not determine the color of their blood?

As-tu déjà vu du sang blanc
Have you ever considered that people of different races are more alike than they are different, including the color of their blood?

As-tu déjà vu du sang jaune
Have you ever thought about the fact that humans of all races have the same bodily functions and fluids, including the color of their blood?

Writer(s): Ismael Lo

Contributed by Bella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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