Keny Arkana is a French rap artist. She is active in the alter-globalizatio… Read Full Bio ↴Keny Arkana is a French rap artist. She is active in the alter-globalization movement with "La Rage Du Peuple," a collective (cf. English "clan" or "crew") formed in 2004 in the Noailles quarter of Marseille, and takes a clear stance against capitalism and fascism. She sympathizes with the Zapatistas in Chiapas.

Born in Marseille of Argentine heritage, Arkana began rapping in 1996. She formed the collectives Mars Patrie and later Etat-Major, gaining performance experience in the Marseilles underground scene, culminating in the 2003 release of Etat Major's first mixtape.

After several solo appearances on various projects, Arkana released her first EP "Le Missile est Lancé". Her first album "Entre ciment et Belle Etoile" was released in October 2006. Her first single, "La Rage," released in 2006, pointedly references the French civil unrest of 2005.

Les murs de ma ville
Keny Arkana Lyrics

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Les murs de ma ville ils sont raremant blanc, rarement propres,
Mais ils sont plein de vie de signature ou de coup de gueule des potes,
Ils transpirent la spontanéïté de ses habitants, de ses habitudes ghetto,
De brigades et de ses tas de brigands, les murs de ma ville,
Ils sont là depuis très longtemps,
Ils en ont vu des intrépides, des tristes et des gens contents,
Des ptits grandir en s'appuyant desuus du sang, de la pisse et de l'alcool,
Et des fou qui prennent ces même mur pour leur psy,

L'unique témoin des choses interdites,
Les mur de ma ville, parfois glorifiée, parfois maudites,
Fraternelles, toujours de la partie lors des bringues,
Lors des coups foireux, enfoiré de mur qui nous rend dingue,
Les même enfllent lorsque l'OM gagnait,
Quand ma ville est en fête style fête du plâteau ou du panier,
Quand les murs s'abreuvent au punch quand soudain danse les murs de ma ville.

Refrain:
Les murs de ma ville marseille,
C'est pour tout les ptits, les sages, les fou, tout le monde,
Les murs de ma ville marseille,
S'qu'on vi ici dans, dans le ghetto,
Les mur de ma ville , marseille,
Nord est sud et ouest

Les murs de la ville c'est ceux qui nous ont tous vu grandir des bonbon après lécole jusqu'au ptites p... avant d'aller dormir, témoin de nos haines

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Keny Arkana's song Les murs de ma ville (The walls of my city) talk about the walls that are rarely white or clean in her Marseille city. Despite their appearance, the walls are full of life and art, showcasing the spontaneous self-expression of the people living there. From the tags and slogans of her friends to the graffiti of gangs and criminals, the walls have seen everything - from the good to the bad. The walls have been around for a long time and have witnessed the growth of children, teenagers and adults in the tough and difficult environment of the ghetto. For some, these walls are their only source of refuge and solace, almost like their personal therapist. The walls are constantly present in every aspect of their lives, from the celebrations of the victories of the local football team to enjoying the taste of punch during a festival. These walls are a symbol of the city's unity, its' joy and its' struggles.

Keny Arkana's lyrics portray the walls as a part of the people living in Marseille. As if they are living and breathing just like the people who have made Marseille their home. The walls represent the hopes and dreams, the struggles and pains that exist in every big city neighbourhood. Despite its' imperfections, the wall is an integral part of the community, a witness of their history and a beacon of hope.

Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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