Born in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo to a Congolese mother and Ghanaian father, Koffi grew up in Kinshasa.
He went to France to study , while in Paris, he began playing the guitar and writing songs. On his return to Congo he was a member of Viva la Musica, Papa Wemba's band. Koffi repopularized the slower style of soukous, which had fallen out of fashion. He dubbed this style Tcha Tcho, and it gained popularity outside Congo. Koffi's music can be quite controversial, taking on current events and topics considered taboo in some conservative societies. He has also participated in the salsa music project Africando.
Airways
Koffi Olomidé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
TABU FATOU
ANNIE DEMBO
BEA BOSOYI...
Il parait que kuna na Paradis ih
Tango ba komaki kuna na baye ba zua konzo'a ko koma kuna a a a a a a a a a
Mingi ba komaki na ba idées ba beta demi-tour sur la terre
kasi ata sosie té e e e e
Ya Tabu Fatou muana ya n'suka ya famille ya ba fleurs rosa nioso tou u u u
DOMINGOS DE AACHEN
Nga na zalaki na nga bougie ya ligablo o
Bougie oy'e ko ngengisaka wenzé tango moké avant qu'e kufa n'ango o o o
Kasi Bosoyi banda a ya n'e ko zua nga a kenda ye na ngayi e
Na koma na ngayi ko ngengisa ndako na ye banda butu ti tongo o o o o
Kasi na za na nga ko sila té
na za na nga ko kufa m'pe té
Maboko na ye e za pouvoir na nga o o o Béa Bosoy i i i
PAULINE FRANCK
CHALLA MAMA
Na lukaki na ba defilés de mo o o de
Na komaki membre ya jury ya election ya mi iss mo o o o o nde
Na lukaki na livres ya joaillerie na ba catalogues ya ba diamantaires
Na mona ba rubis ba courones ba diamants ba chef-d'oeuvres oyo ya
musée e e e e
Kasi ata moko té e za ko kokana na beauté ya Annie DemboMuana a a a a a a a a mawa a a he e e e e
Na komaki na nga adepte ya bibli i a
Na komaki'o zanga confiance na
bato'a mokili amour na nga se Jesu u u u s
Kasi yo Tabu banda o ya n'o n'amour n'o changea nde ngay'e
Na koma Abrahama ye Sarah nzoto na molimo a tondisa graçia a a a a a
Ye nde amour ya vie na ngayi ye nde toute ma vie d'amour Tabu u u u
BRUNO BELITO
Est-ce que na ko koka m'pe
Ko zu'ata pongi soki a lali pene na nga a
Ko tanela n'tongo vivant après Première nuit na ye d'amour
Qui sait e e e e e e e e
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
LANDRY FUTILA LE GRAND
BAKALA
He e hier encore na zalaki na idée e e
Amour idéal il faut o luka na biblia
Bolingo'a solo il faut o luka na b'encyclopédies
Après ko zala fleuron ya ba mines ya roi Salomon
Bienaimée zala terminus ya vie na nga a don juan
Qui sait e e e e e e e e
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
ABRAHAM MATINGU
LAURENT LORENZO
Est-ce que na ko koka m'pe e e
Ko zu'ata pongi soki a lali pene na nga a
Ko tanela n'tongo vivant après Première nuit na ye e d'amour
Qui sait e e e e e e e e
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
JEAN-JAQUES MUGIGA
JEAN-JAQUES BAYONE
He e hier encore na zalaki ngayi té e e
Amour idéal il faut o luka na biblia
Bolingo'a solo il faut o luka na
ba encyclopédies
Secr'a bienaimée mam'a bota ye
na ile de Fidji
Pembeni'a océan epay'arc-en-ciel e
yaka a ko pema
Anni i i i i i i i i i i ie
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a a a a a a
CELE CELIO DYNOSAURE
OSS TULA
PATRICK DIAMONA
GUNTHER
JPK KITENGE
PAPA RENGOS
ANTO LONGANGE
E TALI BISO TE E EH
HA A A
KO YEBA MOSALA E EH
E SALAKA ELENGI MOKO BOYE
AH
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Tabu na pesi epa n'o o o o c'est vrai
E leki oy'a papa na Roma m'po na
biblia
E leki oy'a Dalaï Lama m'po na Boudah
E leki'a ba musulmans m'po na
Coran e e
E leki oy'a ba yuda m'po na Israël
E leki'a ba kintuadi m'po na Kimbangu u
Tabu u u Fatou u u u u u
MAGALIE DES ANGES
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Bosoyi na pesi epa n'o o o c'est vrai
E leki'a ba nouveaux-nés po na miliki e
E leki'a bana miké m'po na nitendo o
E leki oy'a ban'a m'poto po na
Disneyland
E leki'a basi'a libre po na mbongo o
E leki oy'a ba minzoto m'po na butu u
Rosy i i i i i i i e a a a a a a a a a n
Ye e e e e e e
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Dembo awa nga na za makila na
nga e e
Annie e za ndenge e moko n'aquarium
Mbisi na kati i se moko n'kombo
Annie eh
Dembo awa nga na za m'pema na
nga e
Annie e za ndenge e moko na le ciel
Avion n'onté na nga moko Annie
Airways
Mema n'o nga a a a a loi i i
Kumba n'o nga a a a a a a a a an
Anni i i ie Dembo o o
PIERRE FONCEE
ANNAT JADOT
He e Ima a ima a ima a banduku e
Paradis y'o kutana na yango o o
sur la terre
Moyi e bimela a yo o o na butu u
Coucher du soleil e koma proprieté
na yo o
C'est ça a a a a Rosy i ha a a a an
Hé muan'ango a za a comme ça a
MARIE ANGE MUSHEVIKU E E
Ima ye e ima ye e ima Béa
Bosoyi e
Elanga ya rosa e bota yo na
motema e
Bongo malasi na yango e mata yo
na cerveau
Na ndako na yo ba pièces nioso e
tonda n'amour
Na chambre à coucher salle de
bain salon m'pe na cuisine
C'est ça a a a a Rosy i i i i i i
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i
COMMANDO ERIC MAKWENDA
DJOS MUNDELE NGULU
LE VIEUX GAULOIS
Yawé e e Yawé e Yawé e palado
Lakisa ngayi muana nzela nini na
landa e e
Na yeba ko tiya libonza o pesi nga
à l'abri
Na yeba ko sala bonheur na ye
nuit et jou u ur
Na yeba ko kima ba jaloux na ba
médisants
Ba mbanda a zéro o o o o o
MERE OKITO
Yé e ba mbanda a moins ce e ent
YEBO YEBO
HORTENCE BELEMA
HENRI BANGA
He e Ima a ima a ima Tabu Fatou e
Bikelamu oy'a rêve to monaka na ba
bouquins
Na ba cartes postales na ba
Prospectus ya tourisme
Oyo elikia e zalaka a té to kutana
un jour
O ya ko mona ye na miso en chair
et en os
A tala yo face à face pe a yebisa
yo je t'aime
Bo zala n'esika na nga a a a a a
Bo mi tia n'esika na nga ko o o
Hé muan'ango a za a a comme
ça a a a a a
Rosy Airways d'amou u u u u ur
A kumba nga déjà loi i i i i i i i in
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i
MARIE LOUISE BOLUMBU
DOUGLAS NA LOLA
Bo zala n'esika na nga a a a a a
Bo mi tia n'esika na nga ko o o
Hé muan'ango a za a a comme
ça a a a a a
Rosy Airways d'amou u u u u ur
ADO MUJANGI
A kumba nga déjà loi i i i i i i i in
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i.
The lyrics to Koffi Olomidé's song Airways are a unique blend of Lingala and French, rich in cultural and religious allusions. The song is an ode to love and the beauty of life on Earth, with references to different holy texts, the natural world and human connection. The song features an array of iconic Congolese names, notably musicians, adding to its cultural significance.
The repeated phrase "Elengi e eh" translates to "there is love," emphasizing the central theme of the song. The opening lines mention several names, including Tabu Fatou and Annie Dembo, both of whom were prominent Congolese musicians. The song mentions the idea of paradise, with references to different religious texts such as the Bible, Quran, and Torah. It also touches on the beauty of nature, from flowers to diamonds, implying that love and beauty are intertwined.
The latter part of the song features the name "Rosy," suggesting that it could be a tribute to a loved one. The lyrics repeat the phrase "Bo zala n'esika na nga" meaning "you are my place," underscoring the idea of finding a home in a loved one. The song closes with the phrase "Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli," which roughly translates to "angel upon angel, it's an angel," imparting a celestial quality to love.
Line by Line Meaning
ELENGI E EH
Love is, indeed.
TABU FATOU
Tabu Fatou,
ANNIE DEMBO
Annie Dembo,
BEA BOSOYI...
Bea Bosoyi...
Il parait que kuna na Paradis ih
It seems that there is Paradise, oh
Tango ba komaki kuna na baye ba zua konzo'a ko koma kuna a a a a a a a a a
When they discover Paradise, they will never want to leave.
Mingi ba komaki na ba idées ba beta demi-tour sur la terre
Many have turned back on Earth with their ideas.
Ba kuta ba fleurs et beaux arts ba ndeke ba jardins b'angelu
They have created beautiful flowers, arts, and gardens in Heaven.
kasi ata sosie té e e e e
But not even one look-alike, no.
Ya Tabu Fatou muana ya n'suka ya famille ya ba fleurs rosa nioso tou u u u
Tabu Fatou, the child of the sun, from the family of all the beautiful flowers.
DOMINGOS DE AACHEN
Domingos from Aachen,
Nga na zalaki na nga bougie ya ligablo o
I was a candle of light myself,
Bougie oy'e ko ngengisaka wenzé tango moké avant qu'e kufa n'ango o o o
A candle that was shining until it died out completely, oh
Kasi Bosoyi banda a ya n'e ko zua nga a kenda ye na ngayi e
But Bosoyi's band came and lifted me up,
Na koma na ngayi ko ngengisa ndako na ye banda butu ti tongo o o o o
I'm in charge, lighting up his house with a small candle flame
Kasi na za na nga ko sila té
But I am not satisfied with that,
na za na nga ko kufa m'pe té
I don't want to die yet,
Maboko na ye e za pouvoir na nga o o o Béa Bosoy i i i
His hands have power over me, oh Bea Bosoyi.
PAULINE FRANCK
Pauline Frank,
CHALLA MAMA
Challa Mama,
Na lukaki na ba defilés de mo o o de
I watched fashion shows,
Na komaki membre ya jury ya election ya mi iss mo o o o o nde
I became a member of the jury for the Miss election, oh
Na lukaki na livres ya joaillerie na ba catalogues ya ba diamantaires
I looked at books of jewelry and catalogs of diamond dealers,
Na mona ba rubis ba courones ba diamants ba chef-d'oeuvres oyo ya musée e e e e
I saw rubies, crowns, diamonds, and masterpieces from the museum, oh
Kasi ata moko té e za ko kokana na beauté ya Annie DemboMuana a a a a a a a a mawa a a he e e e e
But there is no one who can compare to the beauty of Annie Dembo, the child who is shy, oh
Na komaki na nga adepte ya bibli i a
I became a follower of the Bible,
Na komaki'o zanga confiance na bato'a mokili amour na nga se Jesu u u u s
I gained trust in people, my love for Jesus
Kasi yo Tabu banda o ya n'o n'amour n'o changea nde ngay'e
But Tabu's band, you changed my love, oh
Na koma Abrahama ye Sarah nzoto na molimo a tondisa graçia a a a a a
I am like Abraham and Sarah, a beautiful soul who receives grace
Ye nde amour ya vie na ngayi ye nde toute ma vie d'amour Tabu u u u
He is the love of my life, he is my entire life of love, oh Tabu
BRUNO BELITO
Bruno Belito,
Est-ce que na ko koka m'pe
Am I not enough for you?
Ko zu'ata pongi soki a lali pene na nga a
You're looking for others when I am alone
Ko tanela n'tongo vivant après Première nuit na ye d'amour
You plan to keep going living after our first night of love
Qui sait e e e e e e e e
Who knows, oh
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
Whoever will live will see
LANDRY FUTILA LE GRAND
Landry Futila the Grand,
BAKALA
Bakala,
He e hier encore na zalaki na idée e e
Yesterday I still had an idea
Amour idéal il faut o luka na biblia
Ideal love, you have to find it in the Bible
Bolingo'a solo il faut o luka na b'encyclopédies
Love alone, you have to find it in the encyclopedias
Après ko zala fleuron ya ba mines ya roi Salomon
After, you will become the jewel of King Solomon's mines
Bienaimée zala terminus ya vie na nga a don juan
Beloved, you will be the end of my life, oh Don Juan
Qui sait e e e e e e e e
Who knows, oh
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
Whoever will live will see
ABRAHAM MATINGU
Abraham Matingu,
LAURENT LORENZO
Laurent Lorenzo,
He e hier encore na zalaki ngayi té e e
Yesterday I was not myself, oh
Amour idéal il faut o luka na biblia
Ideal love, you have to find it in the Bible
Bolingo'a solo il faut o luka na ba encyclopédies
Love alone, you have to find it in the encyclopedias
Secr'a bienaimée mam'a bota ye na ile de Fidji
Secret beloved, mother of his children on the island of Fiji
Pembeni'a océan epay'arc-en-ciel e yaka a ko pema
Next to the ocean, where the rainbow sets
Anni i i i i i i i i i i ie
Annie...
Qui i i i i vivra verra a a a a
Whoever will live will see
CELE CELIO DYNOSAURE
Cele Celio Dynosaure,
OSS TULA
Oss Tula,
PATRICK DIAMONA
Patrick Diamona,
GUNTHER
Gunther,
JPK KITENGE
JPK Kitenge,
PAPA RENGOS
Papa Rengos,
ANTO LONGANGE
Anto Longange,
E TALI BISO TE E EH
This is not about us, oh
HA A A
Ha
KO YEBA MOSALA E EH
Know the way, oh
E SALAKA ELENGI MOKO BOYE
It's still beautiful in its own way
AH
Ah
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Love
Tabu na pesi epa n'o o o o c'est vrai
Tabu didn't give you what you want, that's true
E leki oy'a papa na Roma m'po na biblia
He was like the Pope in Rome with the Bible
E leki oy'a Dalaï Lama m'po na Boudah
He was like the Dalai Lama with Buddha
E leki'a ba musulmans m'po na Coran e e
He was like the Muslims with the Quran
E leki oy'a ba yuda m'po na Israël
He was like the Jews in Israel
E leki'a ba kintuadi m'po na Kimbangu u
He was like the Kimbanguists
Tabu u u Fatou u u u u u
Tabu Fatou
MAGALIE DES ANGES
Magalie Des Anges,
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Love
Bosoyi na pesi epa n'o o o c'est vrai
Bosoyi didn't give you what you want, that's true
E leki'a ba nouveaux-nés po na miliki e
He was like newborns in the middle of the night
E leki'a bana miké m'po na nitendo o
He was like kids playing with Nintendo
E leki oy'a ban'a m'poto po na Disneyland
He was like tourists in Disneyland
E leki'a basi'a libre po na mbongo o
He was like birds flying freely in the sky
E leki oy'a ba minzoto m'po na butu u
He was like fish in the water
Rosy i i i i i i i e a a a a a a a a a
Rosy...
Ye e e e e e e
Oh
A a a amouu u u u u u u u u r
Love
Dembo awa nga na za makila na nga e e
Dembo, I am aware of my emotions
Annie e za ndenge e moko n'aquarium
Annie, you are like a fish in an aquarium
Mbisi na kati i se moko n'kombo
Fish in the middle of water
Annie eh
Annie, oh
Dembo awa nga na za m'pema na nga e
Dembo, I am touched by my soul
Annie e za ndenge e moko na le ciel
Annie, you are like a fish in the sky
Avion n'onté na nga moko Annie
Plane took off with me, Annie
Airways
Airways
Mema n'o nga a a a a loi i i
Remember, don't forget
Kumba n'o nga a a a a a a a a an
Come back to me
Anni i i ie Dembo o o
Annie...
PIERRE FONCEE
Pierre Foncee,
ANNAT JADOT
Annat Jadot,
He e Ima a ima a ima a banduku e
Hey, my brothers and sisters
Paradis y'o kutana na yango o o sur la terre
Paradise, you can find it on Earth
Moyi e bimela a yo o o na butu u
The sun rises for you, oh
Coucher du soleil e koma proprieté na yo o
The sunset is your property
C'est ça a a a a Rosy i ha a a a an
That's it, oh Rosy
Hé muan'ango a za a comme ça a
Oh, my brothers and sisters, it's like that
MARIE ANGE MUSHEVIKU E E
Marie Ange Musheviku,
Ima ye e ima ye e ima Béa
Ima, your soul, Béa
Bosoyi e
Bosoyi,
Elanga ya rosa e bota yo na motema e
The rose fragrance is poured into your heart
Bongo malasi na yango e mata yo na cerveau
It brings joy to your brain
Na ndako na yo ba pièces nioso e tonda n'amour
In your house, all the pieces are filled with love
Na chambre à coucher salle de bain salon m'pe na cuisine
In the bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen
C'est ça a a a a Rosy i i i i i i
That's it, oh Rosy
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i
It's magical, oh
COMMANDO ERIC MAKWENDA
Commando Eric Makwenda,
DJOS MUNDELE NGULU
Djos Mundele Ngulu,
LE VIEUX GAULOIS
The Old Gaul,
Yawé e e Yawé e Yawé e palado
Yawé, Yawé, Yawé, victory
Lakisa ngayi muana nzela nini na landa e e
Lead me, child of the road, where should I go?
Na yeba ko tiya libonza o pesi nga à l'abri
I know I have to find happiness, give me shelter
Na yeba ko sala bonheur na ye nuit et jour
I know I have to find happiness with him day and night
Na yeba ko kima ba jaloux na ba médisants
I know I have to ignore the jealous and the malicious
Ba mbanda a zéro o o o o o
They are zero
MERE OKITO
Mere Okito,
Yé e ba mbanda a moins ce e ent
Oh, they are even less than that
YEBO YEBO
Yes, yes
HORTENCE BELEMA
Hortence Belema,
HENRI BANGA
Henri Banga,
He e Ima a ima a ima Tabu Fatou e
Hey, my soul, Tabu Fatou
Bikelamu oy'a reve to monaka na ba bouquins
You became a dream when looking at books
Na ba cartes postales na ba Prospectus ya tourisme
With postcards and tourism brochures
Oyo elikia e zalaka a té to kutana un jour
This hope will not happen until one day
O ya ko mona ye na miso en chair et en os
You will see him face to face, in flesh and bone
A tala yo face à face pe a yebisa yo je t'aime
It's in front of you, face to face, and it tells you 'I love you'
Bo zala n'esika na nga a a a a a
You will be in my place
Bo mi tia n'esika na nga ko o o
You will sit in my place
Hé muan'ango a za a a comme ça a a a a a
Oh, my brothers and sisters, it's like that
Rosy Airways d'amou u u u u ur
Rosy Airways of love
A kumba nga déjà loi i i i i i i i in
Come back, I already told you
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i
It's magical, oh
MARIE LOUISE BOLUMBU
Marie Louise Bolumbu,
DOUGLAS NA LOLA
Douglas and Lola,
Bo zala n'esika na nga a a a a a
You will be in my place
Bo mi tia n'esika na nga ko o o
You will sit in my place
Hé muan'ango a za a a comme ça a a a a a
Oh, my brothers and sisters, it's like that
Rosy Airways d'amou u u u u ur
Rosy Airways of love
ADO MUJANGI
Ado Mujangi,
A kumba nga déjà loi i i i i i i i in
Come back, I already told you
Ngeli i ngeli a za ngeli i i i i i i i i
It's magical, oh
Contributed by Alyssa S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
nsamamathews94@gmail.com
on heros national
The smile
Jake
on Aubergine
Your love is on a plate
I am lying down and thinking of you now
My eggplant, my eggplant
My eggplant, Blaise Mawengue
I have been calling you for days now, my darling
Even if the days go by, I will never get tired of waiting for you
But I can't be left hanging like this
Why do you keep playing with my eggplant, my dear?
She said the beating of her heart for her loved one is like that of an eggplant
But you won't let me stand up and get going
You had me search for love everywhere, in lifts and staircases
You can go as slow as you want but not too slow
If they don't want you, you're like an old engine
Keep going, go ahead like King Georges' palace
If they don't hire you, you're like a car with no engine
He catches you off guard
We were lost in the rain... silent Mawengue
I begged you to love me, but you played me instead
You are the apple of my eyes, sweetheart
Where can I take you to show my love? Any suggestions?
My love, I only have one child, and I call him Daddy
God gave him life and he speaks
If he insults me and you don't defend me, I'll leave
God is on my side
Look, today I am wearing Mawete's clothes
Look today and see
A three-day-old baby doesn't cry
We take care of him but he is still a baby
Even a slight fever makes him cry
I keep making things complicated and confusing myself
That's why I love and desire you, Blaise
The wise man told me that I won't die of love sickness
My friend told me to say: my darling, I love you
Take care of the baby, he is still young
All these days, it's only been me and the baby
Today, change my food
All these days, you've been taking, my darling. Today it's my turn
I'm searching for ways to win you over, as I always have
I am counting and recounting all the times we've been together
If counting the times I've loved you is counting
I will go and get us tickets to see each other
People are normal but I always seem to have a C-section
My darling, tell me
Do you want to or not? I will go and get us tickets
Stop playing with my eggplant
Nkusu said that you were never meant to be together
The goat said he smelled bad and never took a bath
The ant said he tasted sour
The mouse said he was too skinny and never ate enough
My love, it's time to share
My love is good
It looks like you are calling out for help, and everyone hears
The shoes I have are like old, worn-out tires
Corn is my favourite thing to eat, but it's expensive
It's coming from my heart and my worries, too ...
Aigle 0041 77 814 10 69
on Tchernobyl
Très fort
Trecias
on eputsha
Beaucoup de fautes d’orthographe mais c’est bon
gghhhhifbjj
on Victoire (Live)
ok