In 1996 he won the Kora award for best Southern African artist. He performed internationally with Youssou N'Dour, Angélique Kidjo and Papa Wemba. He was known for his Pan-Africanist approach to music, attempting to unite different African styles. He generally performed in a Masai costume carrying a trademark fly-whisk, an East African symbol of royalty.
He died in 2006 after a battle with diabetes and prostate cancer.
The Prince
Jabu Khanyile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et j'ai la haine, haine, haine
Posé dans le hall, hall, hall
Si je fais les sous, sous, sous
Non c'est pas pour elle, elle, elle
Faut l'oseil pour la mif, mif, mif
On m'a brisé les ailes, ailes, ailes
Je comprends plus, je fume la weed, weed, weed
Trop de cicatrices sur le dos, je veux rien savoir igo j'te fais ta fête
Posé sur un caddie ça cogite j'ai le cafard les jours se répètent les tehs s'enchainent
XXX sur la plaquette
Igo dans ma tête c'est la guerre, me faut un sac de billets mauves
Devant le bat' ça galère, je me détends en attendant le prochain clicos
Je regard vers le ciel attiré par l'argent sale
Igo on fait de l'oseil, on s'fume, après la chute l'atterissage
Mon frère bloqué au hebs, j'suis dans le mal
Le trone me filoche, igo la courronne m'attire
Posé, posé, posé, je veux être le prince de la ville
Je regarde au loin, sous beuh un peu comme Nabil
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui je veux être le prince de la ville
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Igo la courronne m'attire
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Je veux être le prince de la ville
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui, oh oui
Je suis pompette soir-ce je suis dans ma folie
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui alors qu'est-ce t'en penses ma jolie
Le trone me guette, il m'attire je pense que t'as compris
Je me met à écrire toute l'année je suis dans l'insomnie
Les pieds dans la tess qu'est-ce tu veux j'y fasse
On vient du 9-4: capitale de la frappe
Igo on se démarque a deux dans la surface
On fout la pagaille, ouai ouai fait les bails
Mais qu'est-ce-qu'y se passe?
Mes loups sont de sortie ce soir, vont chasser
L'équipe est dense qui pourra passer
Je suis dans ma tess, ché-père à travers mes lunettes je vois les faits-divers
Les petits commencent la guerre, pas de remplaçant tous titulaires
J'ai pensé à m'y faire, dans ta face la XXX
J'ai tisé, j'ai bégère, ma ré-soi foutu en l'air
Le trone me filoche, igo la courronne m'attire
Posé, posé, posé, je veux être le prince de la ville
Je regarde au loin, sous beuh un peu comme Nabil
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui je veux être le prince de la ville
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Igo la courronne m'attire
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Je veux être le prince de la ville
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui, oh oui
The lyrics of Jabu Khanyile's song, "The Prince," mainly focus on the desire to be successful in the city and the struggles one faces in achieving that goal. The song opens with the singer declaring his desire to be the prince of the city, but also expressing his frustration and anger at the difficulties he faces. He talks about how making money is not just for himself, but also for his family, and how he feels like he has been grounded. He is smoking weed, feels he has little love in his heart, and has many scars on his back. He realizes that he is trapped in a cycle of repetitive days with nothing to look forward to.
The singer touches upon the reality of life in the city, with references to drugs, violence, and a competitive environment. He feels like he is constantly at war, and the only way to win is to have a lot of money. The lyrics also mention his friend being locked up and the sense of fear and anxiety he has about the future.
The chorus of the song reiterates the desire to be the prince of the city and highlights the symbolism of the throne and crown. The song ends with a final wish to be the prince of the city while acknowledging the struggles that come with it.
Overall, "The Prince" is a commentary on the harsh realities of life in the city and the pursuit of success in that environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Je veux être le prince de la ville oh oui, oh oui
The singer desires to be the most powerful and influential person in their town.
Et j'ai la haine, haine, haine
The singer feels intense anger and resentment.
Posé dans le hall, hall, hall
The singer is relaxed and calm while hanging out in the lobby.
Si je fais les sous, sous, sous
If the artist is making money,
Non c'est pas pour elle, elle, elle
It's not for someone specific.
Faut l'oseil pour la mif, mif, mif
The singer needs money to support their family.
On m'a brisé les ailes, ailes, ailes
The singer has been emotionally or psychologically damaged by someone or something.
Je comprends plus, je fume la weed, weed, weed
The artist is confused and finding comfort in smoking marijuana.
Le coeur noir, j'ai peu d'amour en fait
The artist is emotionally distant, potentially due to past hurt or trauma.
Trop de cicatrices sur le dos, je veux rien savoir igo j'te fais ta fête
The artist has been hurt in the past and wants revenge.
Posé sur un caddie ça cogite j'ai le cafard les jours se répètent les tehs s'enchainent
The singer is lost in thought and feeling down, stuck in a repetitive cycle.
XXX sur la plaquette
There is some unidentified substance on the drug plate.
Igo dans ma tête c'est la guerre, me faut un sac de billets mauves
The singer is in personal conflict and believes that money is the solution.
Devant le bat' ça galère, je me détends en attendant le prochain clicos
The singer is hanging out outside the building, waiting for someone or something to pass the time.
Je regard vers le ciel attiré par l'argent sale
The singer's attention is drawn to illegal money-making opportunities.
Igo on fait de l'oseil, on s'fume, après la chute l'atterissage
The artist and their friends are making money and using drugs, but they are aware that this lifestyle has consequences.
Mon frère bloqué au hebs, j'suis dans le mal
The artist is struggling while their brother is in prison.
Le trone me filoche, igo la courronne m'attire
The singer wants power and status.
Posé, posé, posé, je veux être le prince de la ville
The singer desires to be calm and in control while ruling their town.
Je regarde au loin, sous beuh un peu comme Nabil
The artist is looking into the distance while smoking marijuana, like a character named Nabil.
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
What's going on, what's happening?
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui, oh oui
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Je suis pompette soir-ce je suis dans ma folie
The singer is tipsy and feeling wild and crazy.
Alors qu'est-ce t'en penses ma jolie
What do you think, my pretty?
Le trone me guette, il m'attire je pense que t'as compris
The singer is drawn to power and control, and is hoping the listener understands this desire.
Je me met à écrire toute l'année je suis dans l'insomnie
The singer writes all the time and doesn't sleep well.
Les pieds dans la tess qu'est-ce tu veux j'y fasse
The singer is living in the poor section of town and can't change it.
On vient du 9-4: capitale de la frappe
The artist and their friends are from the 94 area code, which is known for making money illegally.
Igo on se démarque a deux dans la surface
The artist and one other person stand out in their environment.
On fout la pagaille, ouai ouai fait les bails
The singer and their friends are causing chaos and acting out.
Mais qu'est-ce-qu'y se passe?
What is happening?
Mes loups sont de sortie ce soir, vont chasser
The artist's friends are out looking for something, possibly indicating illegal activity.
L'équipe est dense qui pourra passer
The group is strong and intimidating; no one can get past them.
Je suis dans ma tess, ché-père à travers mes lunettes je vois les faits-divers
The artist is in the poor section of town and observing local news through their glasses.
Les petits commencent la guerre, pas de remplaçant tous titulaires
Young people are starting a war and there are no substitutes, everyone is taking part.
J'ai pensé à m'y faire, dans ta face la XXX
The artist has considered getting involved in something and uses a vulgar slang term to express this thought.
J'ai tisé, j'ai bégère, ma ré-soi foutu en l'air
The singer has been smoking marijuana and drinking, which has caused them to feel negative and hopeless.
¿Qué pasa, qué pasa, qué pasa?
What's going on, what's happening?
Oh oui, oh oui, oh oui, oh oui
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Contributed by Grace O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@murumewaT
Rest in peace superstar This man had his own unique south african touch Love this
@bantudiaspora2817
Jabu Khanyile, RIP: Years ago while in Sandton Jo'bg South Africa (SA), I missed his concert the night I had to return to the US. Upon my return, I heard the sad news that he had passed on!!! Jabu's spirit will always be with us, and I will visit his grave when I return to SA. Together (all Africans and non-Africans), we can proudly bring Africa back to it's identity-the heaven it has always been in spite of it's documented suffering. Mother Africa has continued to suffer insults to it's identity in each and every way mainly due to ills not indigenously African, e.g. Slavism, Colonialism, Neo-colonialism, Wars, Dictatorship-ism, Tribalism, terrible infectious disease-isms, etc., but we are inexorably overcoming most of that. The positive souls/spirits like Khanyile and our ancestors have kept the burning flames of hope alive. Long live Africa and let love and diversity flourish in Africa!!!
@lovemorebanda4719
Jabu was an absolute genius.
@Rebhara
Growing up, i never liked Jabu but here i am today, enjoying these sweet melodies.I was lost🕺🕺🕺🕺
@ditshwanelomalete6832
This song has that African spirit. All of his songs are nostalgic! You remember back in the day how it was!
@mklawrie
...the genius that was Jabu. A talented musician.
@brianimanlevymutsapata5495
very beautiful music,soulful and inspirational yet full of emotions.You can see,hear and feel Africa within his voice,instruments and on the videos as well.
@simphiwedlamini343
We need more Jabu Khanyile videos. He has done a lot of music
@okaMbulazi
I dont know why God decide to take you so early, but i guess He knows why. I love his music.
@nmatodzi
Where ever you are, we still love you and your music. RIP.