Kassav' (Haitian and Antillean Creole for a local dish made from cassava) i… Read Full Bio ↴Kassav' (Haitian and Antillean Creole for a local dish made from cassava) is a Francophone zouk band which was formed in 1979. The core members of the band are Jocelyne Beroard, Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthely, Patrick St. Eloi, Jean-Claude Naimro, Claude Vamur and Georges Decimus (who left the band to create another band, Volte Face, before returning to Kassav' later) along with several other, more minor members. The total number of albums by the band and its members is approximately 30.

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.

Léron
Kassav' Lyrics

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Si mewen rakonté zot listwa misié Léron
Ka rété Fon Galion
Za ni posé dizan i ka tounen ron dan ron
I pran ko'y pou patron
Ka pran moun pou kouyon
Léron sé an lawon
Sa ki pou fet ka fet
Touléjou sé lafet

Dépi zafe'y ka fet
I pu la pou konnet
Pa toujou tro net
Mé woul-la ka tounen

Yo tjenbé Léron
Anba kann Galion
Ka fè malonnetté

Mé lè'y touvé i pri
Léron chanjé lespri
I kounmansé di ko'y
Mé non sé pu lavi
Bagay-la ka vini di
Mi tout moun-la ka n'y
I chèche tou tmaji
Pou touvé an ti lanbéli

Lè ou santi fé-a cho ou ka kriyé way
La pu ni débouya pa péché ou tousèl
Ka fè klé ou an nwè
Têt-ou ka pri difé
I ni an rimed ki pé soulajé'w
Sé la kay-nou ki ni lanmou
Pou pu kwè lavi fini
Ou pou réfléchi

Ou pou mété'w koul
Ba lanmou osi

Overall Meaning

The song Léron by Kassav tells the story of a man named Léron who lives in Fon Galion. Léron is described as a cunning and manipulative person who takes advantage of others and acts as a boss. The lyrics indicate that Léron's actions are causing unrest and malcontent among those around him, and people are getting tired of his ways. However, despite his behavior, Léron is a symbol of celebration and festivity, and people cannot help but join in when he is around.

The song then takes a turn when Léron suddenly changes his ways and starts to preach about the importance of life and love. The people around him are shocked and confused by this sudden change, but they listen to what he has to say. The lyrics suggest that this change can provide relief from the hardships of life and that love is the key to happiness. The song ends with an urging for listeners to reflect on their own lives, be kind to others, and embrace love.

Overall, Léron is a story of transformation and the power of love to bring about change in people.

Line by Line Meaning

Si mewen rakonté zot listwa misié Léron
Let me tell you the story of Mister Léron

Ka rété Fon Galion
He lived in Fon Galion

Za ni posé dizan i ka tounen ron dan ron
He had some money, but it quickly disappeared

I pran ko'y pou patron
He takes advantage of people

Ka pran moun pou kouyon
He fools people

Léron sé an lawon
Léron is a cheater

Sa ki pou fet ka fet
Whatever needs to be done, gets done

Touléjou sé lafet
Everyday is a party

Dépi zafe'y ka fet
Since the business is going well

I pu la pou konnet
Everyone goes there to find out