Kassav' was formed in 1979 by Pierre-Edouard Décimus, a long-time professional musician who worked with Freddy Marshall. Together, the two of them decided to take carnival music and make it a more modern and polished style. It was the leading band to emerge from the formative years of Zouk. They gave the style a pan-Caribbean sound by taking elements from kompa, salsa, and calypso, and became world famous. Their first album, Love and Ka Dance (1980), established the sound of zouk.
Kassav' continued to grow more popular, both as a group and with several members' solo careers, finally peaking in 1985 with Yélélé, which featured the international hit "Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni" (meaning "Zouk is our only drug" in French Antillean Creole) With this hit, zouk rapidly became a widespread dance craze in Latin America and the Caribbean, and was popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Zouk performers became known for wildly theatrical concerts featuring special effects spectacles and colorful costumes.
Doubout Pikan
Kassav' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Liv-a yo nou aprann
Sé yo nou anvi sanm
Listwa-an nou yo vin pran’y an koutchanm
Yoruba té vayan
Fwet a mizè yo pran
Fè yo konpwann
Vié mes-a yo, brilé tet-an nou
Listwa-a yo, pa sel ki tan nou
Listwa-an nou, kay fè nanm an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, kay démaré nou
Manni-a yo, étenn lespri-nou
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Si’w vwè nou té aprann
Sa nou pé fè ansanm
Menm si nou pa ka sanm
Listwa an nou pa té ped an koutchanm
Nou pé rivé pi lwen
Si bagay pa biten
Kon dé lanmen
Sé toujou yonn ki pé lavé lot bien
Mi an ka di an sèten
Nou ké rivé lwen
Si nou sonjé bien
Bagay sé pa biten
Yonn pé ké janmen lot
Yonn ké respekté lot
Pa ké ti ni fot, sé ké yonn a lot
Yonn kay pé soutjenn lot
Aksepté sa, fin épi sa
Wayayayay nou sav la nou yé
Sé pa jòdi, nou kontan di
On Kassav ki ni
Avan lanmou, sé respé nou té ti ni
Aaaaaaaaiyé…. !
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi
Cheik Anta Diop Pa bigidi
Tonton Bishop Pa bigidi
Robert Loyson Pa bigidi
Eugene Mona Pa bigidi
Sidanbarum Pa bigidi
É Mandela Pa bigidi
Décimus…. Pa bigidi
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi ….
The song "Doubout Pikan" by Kassav is a tribute to the ancestors and a call for unity among the African diaspora. The lyrics highlight the importance of learning from our ancestors, respecting each other and working together towards a common goal. The opening verses suggest that by learning from the past and working together, we can create a better future for ourselves and our communities.
The next verses pay homage to various historical figures who have played a significant role in the fight for freedom and equality, such as Cheik Anta Diop, Tonton Bishop, Robert Loyson, Eugene Mona, Sidanbarum, and Nelson Mandela. By mentioning these prominent figures, the song highlights the idea that we are all part of a larger history and a shared struggle for liberation.
The chorus of the song serves as a rallying cry for unity, as the repetition of "Wi wi wi wi" (Yes, yes, yes) emphasizes the importance of working together and supporting each other as we strive for a better future.
Overall, "Doubout Pikan" is a powerful song that celebrates the strength and resilience of the African diaspora, while also reminding us of the importance of working together towards a common goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Yenki sa ki adan
Let's learn from our past experiences.
Liv-a yo nou aprann
We should be willing to learn.
Sé yo nou anvi sanm
Our goal is to unite.
Listwa-an nou yo vin pran’y an koutchanm
We must learn from our history to move forward.
Yoruba té vayan
The Yoruba people were enslaved.
Fwet a mizè yo pran
They faced persecution.
Fè yo konpwann
We acknowledge their struggles.
Jòdijou doubout pikan
There are still challenges to overcome.
Vié mes-a yo, brilé tet-an nou
We must honor our ancestors.
Listwa-a yo, pa sel ki tan nou
Their history is not just their own, it's also ours.
Listwa-an nou, kay fè nanm an nou
Our history shapes who we are.
Sé nanm-an nou, kay démaré nou
We must use our spirit to move forward.
Manni-a yo, étenn lespri-nou
We must keep our minds open.
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
We respect their ways, but they are not ours.
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Our history shapes our soul.
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Our soul is our true strength.
Si’w vwè nou té aprann
If you could see what we have learned.
Sa nou pé fè ansanm
We can do so much together.
Menm si nou pa ka sanm
Even if we don't always agree.
Listwa an nou pa té ped an koutchanm
Our history cannot be erased.
Nou pé rivé pi lwen
We can achieve even more.
Si bagay pa biten
If things don't work out.
Kon dé lanmen
Like shaking hands.
Sé toujou yonn ki pé lavé lot bien
It's always one person helping the other.
Mi an ka di an sèten
I am sure.
Nou ké rivé lwen
We will go far.
Si nou sonjé bien
If we remember well.
Bagay sé pa biten
Things won't be so bad.
Yonn pé ké janmen lot
One will never overshadow the other.
Yonn ké respekté lot
We will always respect each other.
Pa ké ti ni fot, sé ké yonn a lot
We won't make mistakes, because we are together.
Yonn kay pé soutjenn lot
We can support each other.
Aksepté sa, fin épi sa
Accept that, and finish with that.
Wayayayay nou sav la nou yé
We know where we are.
Sé pa jòdi, nou kontan di
It's not only today, we're happy to say.
On Kassav ki ni
Our Kassav belongs to us.
Avan lanmou, sé respé nou té ti ni
Before love, comes respect.
Aaaaaaaaiyé…!
Let's go!
Mwen di’w wi
I'm telling you yes.
A pa non
It's not no.
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi
Hey! Don't be stubborn! Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Cheik Anta Diop Pa bigidi
Cheik Anta Diop wasn't stubborn.
Tonton Bishop Pa bigidi
Tonton Bishop wasn't stubborn.
Robert Loyson Pa bigidi
Robert Loyson wasn't stubborn.
Eugene Mona Pa bigidi
Eugene Mona wasn't stubborn.
Sidanbarum Pa bigidi
Sidanbarum wasn't stubborn.
É Mandela Pa bigidi
Mandela wasn't stubborn.
Décimus…. Pa bigidi
Décimus wasn't stubborn.
Lyrics © PEERMUSIC FRANCE, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PIERRE-EDOUARD DECIMUS, JACOB DESVARIEUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@floratouts2426
Yenki sa ki adan
Liv-a yo nou aprann
Sé yo nou anvi sanm
Listwa-an nou yo vin pran’y an koutchanm
Yoruba té vayan
Fwet a mizè yo pran
Fè yo konpwann
Jòdijou doubout pikan
Vié mes-a yo, brilé tet-an nou
Listwa-a yo, pa sel ki tan nou
Listwa-an nou, kay fè nanm an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, kay démaré nou
Manni-a yo, étenn l'espritnou
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Si’w vwè nou té aprann
Sa nou pé fè ansanm
Menm si nou pa ka sanm
Listwa an nou pa té ped an koutchanm
Nou pé rivé pi lwen
Si bagay pa biten
Kon dé lanmen
Sé toujou yonn ki pé lavé lot bien
Mi an ka di an sèten
Nou ké rivé lwen
Si nou sonjé bien
Bagay sé pa biten
waye
Aksepté sa, fin épi sa
Wayayayay nou sav la nou yé
Sé pa jòdi, nou kontan di
On Kassav ki ni
Avan lanmou, sé respé nou té ti ni
Aaaaaaaaiyé…. !
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi
Cheik Anta Diop Pa bigidi
Tonton Bishop Pa bigidi
Robert Loyson Pa bigidi
Eugene Mona Pa bigidi
Sidanbarum Pa bigidi
É Mandela Pa bigidi
Décimus…. Pa bigidi
Manni-a yo, étenn l'espritnou
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi ….
@floratouts2426
Yenki sa ki adan
Liv-a yo nou aprann
Sé yo nou anvi sanm
Listwa-an nou yo vin pran’y an koutchanm
Yoruba té vayan
Fwet a mizè yo pran
Fè yo konpwann
Jòdijou doubout pikan
Vié mes-a yo, brilé tet-an nou
Listwa-a yo, pa sel ki tan nou
Listwa-an nou, kay fè nanm an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, kay démaré nou
Manni-a yo, étenn l'espritnou
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Si’w vwè nou té aprann
Sa nou pé fè ansanm
Menm si nou pa ka sanm
Listwa an nou pa té ped an koutchanm
Nou pé rivé pi lwen
Si bagay pa biten
Kon dé lanmen
Sé toujou yonn ki pé lavé lot bien
Mi an ka di an sèten
Nou ké rivé lwen
Si nou sonjé bien
Bagay sé pa biten
waye
Aksepté sa, fin épi sa
Wayayayay nou sav la nou yé
Sé pa jòdi, nou kontan di
On Kassav ki ni
Avan lanmou, sé respé nou té ti ni
Aaaaaaaaiyé…. !
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi
Cheik Anta Diop Pa bigidi
Tonton Bishop Pa bigidi
Robert Loyson Pa bigidi
Eugene Mona Pa bigidi
Sidanbarum Pa bigidi
É Mandela Pa bigidi
Décimus…. Pa bigidi
Manni-a yo, étenn l'espritnou
Kakwè-a yo, a pa kakwè-an nou
Listwa-an nou, ké fè nanm-an nou
Sé nanm-an nou, ki tout fos-an nou
Mwen di’w wi
A pa non
Mwen di’w wi
Way ! pa bigidi ! Wi wi wi wi ….
@journetkouman3176
Quelle performance et quelle rage je reconnais là mon peuple caraïbes Antilles ,noir d'Afrique, d'Amérique fier et toujours débout bravo à vous nos porte drapeau rip Jacobs
@tidaiakhephren1468
C est ce que j adore avec Kassav:
on zook, on love, on parle et on dit les vraies affaires!!
Quelle que soit la chanson, elle est Éternelle depuis...... pour moi ,1979.
💚💛❤
@maudenguyen-gougeon1914
Magnifique chanson , très bel chanson , merci a tous les membres du groupe. Une pensée particulière pour notre tant aimé Jacob , qu’il puisse reposer en paix ainsi que son âme. Il nous manque énormément mais il reste dans nos cœurs pour toujours. A tous jamais Jacob
@TWFH100
Patrick and now Jacob from a boy i Love this band
@klendji97
enfin enfin, nos artiste on trouvé , le role dans la société antillais c'est bien plus réaliste et riche une chanson ,qui raconte un peu de notre histoire , loin des doudou cheri, et des autres qui passent leurs foss dans des faux combats à critiquer leurs femmes et leurs freres, c'est un 10/10 pour cette chanson kassav je pense que' c'est le chemin à suivre , un ti regret k il y à pas un grain de st eloi sur la chanson, mais c'est deja top big foss
@lalor27
Je vais les voir en concert à la fin de la semaine avec ma soeur et une amie ! on a plus que hâte ! Nou ké krasé Zénith la ! On sait déjà qu'on n'aura rien à regretter ! waÿ waÿ ! ! !! ! !
@wendymaescalck7375
A l'époque c'est Hallelujah qui me transportais de la sorte( et tjrs à ce jour). C"est mon corps et mon esprit qui sont complètement accaparé le temps de ces chansons et ceci pour mon plus grand plaisir! Ensuite, je m'évade une fois la musique finie,.... je vous rejoins avec de bonnes humeurs . Au plaisir,de vous rapportez toute l"énergie que vous éveillez en moi . Wendyzouty
@tropicopop
Kassav forever , from the concert at the national stadium in >Abidjan 1986 ( with polica razzia and all .... ) I ´m still with you! thomas
@kassav
Knowing our history builds our soul Our soul will deliver us, our soul will make us strong Doubout pikan would mean "standing like a thorn".
@GodsChildNYC
Kassav is what Bob Marley to Reggae or Michael Jackson to pop. Love this song