Kanda Bongo Man (born 1955), from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is … Read Full Bio ↴Kanda Bongo Man (born 1955), from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a prominent soukous musician. He is most famous for the structural changes he implemented to soukous music. The previous approach was to sing several verses and have one guitar solo at the end of the song. Kanda Bongo Man revolutionized soukous by encouraging guitar solos after every verse and even sometimes at the beginning of the song. His form of soukous gave birth to the kwassa kwassa dance rhythm where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips.

Kanda Bongo Man still tours frequently in Europe and the United States. On July, 2005 he performed at the LIVE 8: Africa Calling concert in Cornwall.

Kekete bue
Kanda Bongo Man Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Allez kete kete kete
Kekete bue
Tout le monde kekete bue
Mema bango na kekete bue
Kumba bango na kekete bue
Allez keke tshu
Kumbela kumbela kumbama
Motema pasi ah nga nakoka te

Kekete bue kumba bango na kekete bue

Allez keke tshu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kanda Bongo Man's song "Kekete Bue" convey a joyful and energetic message that encourages everyone to join in the celebration. The repetitive phrase "Allez kete kete kete" serves as a call to action, telling people to come together and dance. The term "kekete bue" can be interpreted as a dance move or a way to express oneself through movement. The lyrics express that everyone, regardless of their background or social status, should participate in the dance. The mention of "mema bango" and "kumba bango" suggests inclusivity, as it encourages both men and women to join in the dance.

The lyrics also mention "kumbela kumbela kumbama," a phrase that adds a rhythmic element to the song. This phrase could be interpreted as a chant or a mantra that enhances the overall energy of the dance. Additionally, the mention of "motema pasi ah nga nakoka te" suggests a personal feeling of upliftment and freedom. It conveys the idea that the song and dance have the power to elevate one's spirit and make them feel liberated.

Overall, Kanda Bongo Man's "Kekete Bue" is a lively and infectious song that encourages unity, inclusivity, and the expression of joy through dance.

Line by Line Meaning

Allez kete kete kete
Let's go very fast

Kekete bue
Dance all together

Tout le monde kekete bue
Everyone dancing together

Mema bango na kekete bue
They are all delighted while dancing

Kumba bango na kekete bue
They are jumping while dancing

Allez keke tshu
Let's jump

Kumbela kumbela kumbama
Jump without stopping

Motema pasi ah nga nakoka te
My heart is not tired at all

Kekete bue kumba bango na kekete bue
Dance all together, they are jumping while dancing

Allez keke tshu
Let's jump