He is known for his distinctive style of guitarplaying, above all his percussive right-hand technique which is similar to bass player's slapping technique. He's also famous for playing most of his live shows with a bare torso.
Son of a chief Osodolamu Sanyaolu in a Yoruba tribe and successful industrialist, Keziah (Olufemi) spent his early childhood in a large family in the semi-Muslim part of Nigeria, close to the city of Lagos. From a young age he was being prepared to follow his father's footsteps and was expected to have an academic career. Therefore his father enrolled him in a Public School in London and Keziah left Nigeria at 8 years old to be educated in England.
"I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!" By the age of 13 he discovered the old school piano and taught himself how to play and write songs. Three years later he switched to the guitar, neglecting his studies more and more. After scraping through exams he went against his father's wishes and family tradition even more by skipping school and trying out his songs in the streets, clubs and London Underground, constantly avoiding the police, the Immigration Department - and his own relatives.
Keziah played mostly improvised sets with tenor Saxophone player Kevin Wood at the Red Eye club in Lewisham, south London at least three times during 1988/9.
Keziah led a bohemian life for several years instead of the one envisaged for him. "Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!" (from his song Free Your Soul). Moving from London to Paris, accompanied by his guitar, he acquired an excellent reputation as a musician and performer with a unique style. In 1991, while playing in the Paris Metro, Keziah is discovered by the French music label "Delabel" manager. In 1992, Delabel signed Keziah for his first album to record it in Paris, "Blufunk is a fact," including the worldwide success of Keziah's first single "Rhythm is Love." Obviously, Keziah' Parisian subway experience was instrumental to his skyrocketing career, as clearly stated in his official biography.
Keziah often cites Fela Kuti and Jimi Hendrix as important influences. Also Keziahs major influences were Michael Jackson[citation needed] Keziah is not in support of Drm ,he thinks music should be shared no matter the cost.and people in third world countries should listen to music to help them,he alos works with these people to and play music while doing it.
Keziah Jones also paints and writes poetry. He’s a talented[citation needed]photographer and he produces short films, one among them entitled "BLACKSPEEDTEXT." This film, his music and the other facets of his artistic life reflect his experiences on the streets.
Keziah was married to Anglo-Nigerian singer Akure Wall in 1994. they separated in 1996.
The Black Orpheus
Keziah Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A woman's lips told me so between the dawn and midnight
She said every house has a ghost and I will haunt you
With every kiss you were told "this beauty is true"
Because where sadness lives the angels sine
Of all the things a tear
Of all your beauty
And your soul
The lyrics to Keziah Jones's song The Black Orpheus speak of a place called "The Inside" where Ma sadness lives down the road. The singer of the song was informed of this place by a woman's lips between dawn and midnight. The woman explains that every house has a ghost that haunts it, and she will haunt the singer with every kiss he receives. Despite this, the woman tells the singer that the beauty he sees is true, and it seems to suggest that there is some comfort in this acknowledgement.
The lyrics contain a vivid portrayal of the power of sadness and its impact on the spirits of those who experience it. The singer suggests that where sadness lives, it can inspire angels to sing of all the things that a tear can bring, including beauty and soul. This sentiment suggests that sometimes experiencing sadness can lead us to a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Ma sadness lives down the road in a place they call "The Inside"
My sorrowful thoughts and emotions are always present within me, though they may be hidden from others and reside deep within my psyche.
A woman's lips told me so between the dawn and midnight
I was informed of this by a woman, at a time when the world was in transition between day and night.
She said every house has a ghost and I will haunt you
This woman told me that everyone has their own personal demons to confront, and that she would be a constant reminder of the challenges I face.
With every kiss you were told "this beauty is true"
Every time I was physical with someone, I was led to believe that their outer appearance reflected their inner worth.
Because where sadness lives the angels shine
In the midst of darkness and hardship, the potential for transcendence and enlightenment is revealed and embraced.
Of all the things a tear
Out of all the expressions of emotion, tears can be the most potent and revealing.
Can bring
These tears can bring forth a deeper understanding of oneself and others.
Of all your beauty
Out of all the positive attributes humans possess, the capacity to heal and to empathize with others is one of the most beautiful.
And your soul
These capacities are a reflection of the depth and richness of the human soul.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEZIAH JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hakim HAKIME
Sans hésiter l'une des plus belles chansons de keziah Jones !
ANTHON
grave ! ils se font rares maintenant ce genre d'artiste !