Khadja left Burundi for Zaire in 1975 and got married in 1978. In 1980 she emigrated to Belgium with her two-year old son. In 1985 she met musician Nicolas Fiszman, who helped her get a contract with BMG. Her second album, a 1994 release entitled Ya Pili, was critically acclaimed. Her breakthrough, however, came in 1996 with her widely popular album Sambolera, which was sung in Swahili, Kirundi, and French. Khadja Nin successfully used a blend between African rhythms and modern pop to create her own unique brand of music. One of her most popular songs is Sina Mali, Sina Deni, a translated cover version of Stevie Wonder's song Free.
Leo Leya
Khadja Nin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cepe cepe
Sinta kula
Basi niache
Sisikiye njala
Mi nilisema
Wacha wacha
Mi nachoka
Nami najua
Hauta rudia
The Swahili lyrics in Khadja Nin's song "Leo Leya" express the hardships of life and the struggle to survive. The word "chakula" means food, and the repetition of "cepe cepe" and "sinta kula" suggest a sense of urgency and desperation for sustenance. The line "basi niache" ("just let me go") reveals the singer's despair, perhaps reflecting a feeling of hopelessness and a desire to give up. The phrase "sisikiye njala" ("I can't bear the hunger") reinforces this sentiment.
The following verse expresses a sense of frustration and impatience. The phrases "wacha wacha" ("let go, let go") and "mi nachoka" ("I'm tired") indicate a desire for faster progress or an end to the struggle. The line "sipendi maneno" ("I don't like words") suggests a frustration with empty promises or talk without action. The final line, "nami najua, hauta rudia" ("and I know, it won't happen again"), implies a sense of resilience and determination despite the hardships faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Chakula
Food
Cepe cepe
Quickly
Sinta kula
Let's eat
Basi niache
Let me go
Sisikiye njala
Let's forget hunger
Mi nilisema
I said
Wacha wacha
Stop it
Mi nachoka
I'm tired
Sipendi maneno
I don't like words
Nami najua
I also know
Hauta rudia
You won't repeat it
Contributed by Kylie F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alchismisteadandozan6468
Melancholic and sad song but so sweet !!!
Leo leya by Khadja NIN
[Verse 1]
Lyi cacula cepe cepe sinta kula
Basi ni ace si sikiye njala
Mi nili sema waca waca mi nacoka (Sipende maneno)
Nami najuwa hauta rudiya
[Chorus]
Ju ya nini
Wuko na mwengini
Sema kweli we rafiki
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
[Verse 2]
Mayisha yetu pole pole ita rudi (Kama mbele)
Uta sahabu ule mwanamuke
[Chorus]
Ju ya nini
Wuko na mwengini
Sema kweli we rafiki
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
@iraproduction9336
Courage maman africa uko shuja kwl kwl❤😅❤😂
@mattarjaiskel4625
Unajua mama we we ni mwalim
@marianatiemoko9414
... Belle chanson burundaise ELLE PARLE DE SON HOMME QUI VEUT LA QUITTÉ POUR UNE AUTRE . J'ESPÈRE QUE TU SERAS HEUREUX LABA OÙ TU T'EN VA
@ayavaleriekouame3442
Merci beaucoup pour l'explication, coucou depuis la Côte d'Ivoire
@noordembele3073
Première à commenter,j'ai trop cherché ce tresor
@joshuaojwando2646
Undoubtedly one of the best Afro female singers of the time,a great track indeed.
@felicienmanuana9505
Am proud to be called African boy just because of this kind of music
@AQBEGLOBAL
The way I love this song! Someone please translate for me.
@alchismisteadandozan6468
Melancholic and sad song but so sweet !!!
Leo leya by Khadja NIN
[Verse 1]
Lyi cacula cepe cepe sinta kula
Basi ni ace si sikiye njala
Mi nili sema waca waca mi nacoka (Sipende maneno)
Nami najuwa hauta rudiya
[Chorus]
Ju ya nini
Wuko na mwengini
Sema kweli we rafiki
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
[Verse 2]
Mayisha yetu pole pole ita rudi (Kama mbele)
Uta sahabu ule mwanamuke
[Chorus]
Ju ya nini
Wuko na mwengini
Sema kweli we rafiki
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
[Refrain]
Mupenzi leya usi ni ace (Na mi nita fwanya je)
Leo leya
Mupenzi Leya usi ni tupe (Na mi nita fwanya je)
@bateriayguitarra5032
Que maravilla y esas cajas de la batería con sus platos que va loka.Ritmo también aplicable a Salif Keita en su tema Te Quiero