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.
Danao
Koffi Olomide Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yoka nga bien, Pembelé Zimon Toupegon
Yoka nga bien, Julien Mbala
Nga moto oyo bolingo ekanga motema miniololo
Na ndimi miniokoli nioso
Kasi ya kozanga jamais
Wana na koki ko ndima
Martyrs ya bolingo
Pona yo Martin Kama eeeh
Nga moto oyo bolingo ekanga motema miniololo
Na ndimi miniokoli nioso
Kasi ya kozanga jamais
Wana na koki ko ndima
Ba buaka nga vivant na moto
Martyrs ya bolingo
Pona yo Martin Kama eeeh
Aaah Martin Kama, libanga ya talo
Nazuaki yo na mère Antique
Par la grâce ya Dieu le père
Mokeli ya biloko binso
Apesa nga yé na cadre ya recompense
Ya ba prières na ngayi
Lelo na zangi yé lokola
Tonga ekweyi na zelo
Lolongé molinga eko limwaka
Na passage oyo ya mopépé
Martin Kama na ngayi eeeh
Nga moto oyo bolingo ekanga motema miniololo
Na ndimi miniokoli nioso
Kasi ya kozanga jamais
Wana na koki ko ndima
Ba buaka nga vivant na moto
Martyrs ya bolingo
Pona yo Martin Kama eeh
Na bomi nzoto na kolela
Na bungisi diamant ya talo
Pasi ya moninga, ngabo ya ebalé ooh
Ko yeba ndenge nini
Yanga motema eko zika
Na moto ya bolingo
Talaka na manaka
Date ya retour na yo
Ata mokolo moko té ya litabisi
Oko bakisa na bolingo
Martin Kama aaah Danao ooh
Nga moto oyo bolingo ekanga motema miniololo
Na ndimi miniokoli nioso
Kasi ya kozanga jamais
Wana na koki ko ndima
Ba buaka nga vivant na moto
Martyrs ya bolingo
Pona yo Martin Kama eeeh
Bolingo, bolingo bolingo
Suka etumbu, Martin Kama tika nga té
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao (ya Danao eeeh)
Martin Kama mema nga na paradis (ko tika té eeh)
Na lula yo
Ko leka nga meyi wala aaah
Meko o tika té
Tika té
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao
Martin Kama mema nga na paradis
Na lula yo
Ko leka nga meyi wala aaah
Pesa ngayi bolingo Romain Kidingua, Djo ooh Nzongo
Samba-Muté Samba benga Taki Ba Forme, Milano Mozart eeh
Kajo Malua, Gaultier Kumbu Poba aaah
Tina naboni nzoto na kolela
Na bungisi Martin Kama aah
Ambro State, Bigas Lembi taleta nga likambo
Toubi Kaludji, Billy Bongibo, Françoise Toto oooh
Uh, uh yé-yé-yé Betty Kapamba, Didier Ikoko, Chaley Shamba, Shiko de Panama
Bosko Boble, Mayelé Dinatshétshé, Serge Lélé
Celé Wadido ayebisaki Bonas Caludji wo-wo-wo
Akoki o′salela ngayi anti-balle ya bolingo ooh
Po bolingo ya Luc Ewing eniokoli Françoise Lembé
Josianna Masika, Willy Kusa, Patrick Malé Musa eeh
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao
Martin Kama mema nga na paradis
Na lula yo
Ko leka nga meyi wala aaah
Mua lolendo ya Buya Mayola
Ezalaka po nayeba JC papa na Djessy Grec Kambele
Yves Musasa aaah
Tuna Nelly na Mireille Salu
Kabela nga bolingo yeba Violette Dinganga, Deny Maestro
Ga Bolowa, Vivianne Kabeya, Amba de Makambo
Beethoven Yombo
Y'otikanga kibida MG Tumba, Bicherera
Pélé Gaulois, ô renda ngayi timide Pierre Lubi, Guy Bokolé
Alain Kiteté, Ponpon Mosengo ooh
Muana mama ô kuanzi nga bolingo ti na suka aaah
Jackson Mangala, bana K.V Bijoux Kabuya Chez Ntemba aaah
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao
Martin Kama mema nga na paradis
Na lula yo
Ko leka nga meyi wala aaah
The song "Danao" by Koffi Olomide is an ode to Martin Kama, a friend of the artist who passed away. The lyrics describe the pain and grief that Koffi Olomide feels over the loss of his friend. In the first stanza, he mentions his friend Ali Deps and asks Pembelé Zimon Toupegon and Julien Mbala to bear witness to his love for Martin Kama. The chorus, repeated after each verse, reaffirms the depth of Koffi's love for Martin Kama and his continued presence in Koffi's life.
In the second stanza, Koffi describes the intensity of the love he felt for Martin Kama. He recalls their shared experiences and mourns the fact that Martin is no longer alive. Koffi calls Martin a martyr of love and mentions that he will always be alive in Koffi's heart.
The third stanza is a tribute to Martin Kama, describing him as a kind and loving person who was rewarded in heaven. Koffi reflects on the passing of time and the pain that Martin's absence causes. He longs to see his friend again and hopes that they will be reunited in paradise.
Overall, "Danao" is a deeply emotional song that honors the memory of a cherished friend. It speaks to the universal experience of loss and the enduring power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ali Deps, le tendancieux na Luanda
Ali Deps, the trendy in Luanda
Yoka nga bien, Pembelé Zimon Toupegon
Look at me well, Pembelé Zimon Toupegon
Yoka nga bien, Julien Mbala
Look at me well, Julien Mbala
Nga moto oyo bolingo ekanga motema miniololo
I'm the guy who loves to the point of heartbreak
Na ndimi miniokoli nioso
My tongue knows all languages
Kasi ya kozanga jamais
The case that has never happened before
Wana na koki ko ndima
I wonder how it feels
Ba buaka nga vivant na moto
They were burned alive for love
Martyrs ya bolingo
Love's martyrs
Pona yo Martin Kama eeeh
For you Martin Kama
Aaah Martin Kama, libanga ya talo
Oh Martin Kama, the beauty of Talo
Nazuaki yo na mère Antique
I met you at Antique's mother's
Par la grâce ya Dieu le père
By God the Father's grace
Mokeli ya biloko binso
Keeper of many things
Apesa nga yé na cadre ya recompense
He gave me a position of reward
Ya ba prières na ngayi
Of my prayers
Lelo na zangi yé lokola
Today in his presence
Tonga ekweyi na zelo
I will dwell in his love
Lolongé molinga eko limwaka
Pure love that lasts forever
Na passage oyo ya mopépé
At this very moment
Na bomi nzoto na kolela
I would rather collect souls than wealth
Na bungisi diamant ya talo
Than diamonds of Talo
Pasi ya moninga, ngabo ya ebalé ooh
The valley of a young person, a guard of the stream
Ko yeba ndenge nini
Do you know what it means?
Yanga motema eko zika
When the heart stops beating
Na moto ya bolingo
In the face of love
Talaka na manaka
Split into pieces
Date ya retour na yo
The date of your return
Ata mokolo moko té ya litabisi
Not a single day later than expected
Oko bakisa na bolingo
You will be judged by love
Martin Kama aaah Danao ooh
Martin Kama, oh Danao
Bolingo, bolingo bolingo
Love, love, love
Suka etumbu, Martin Kama tika nga té
Get up, Martin Kama, don't give up
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao (ya Danao eeeh)
Martin Kama loved Danao (oh Danao)
Martin Kama mema nga na paradis (ko tika té eeh)
Martin Kama took me to paradise (don't give up)
Na lula yo
In your arms
Ko leka nga meyi wala aaah
Don't abandon me, please
Meko o tika té
Don't give up
Martin Kama na elengi ya Danao
Martin Kama loved Danao
Pesa ngayi bolingo Romain Kidingua, Djo ooh Nzongo
Give me love, Romain Kidingua, Djo oh Nzongo
Samba-Muté Samba benga Taki Ba Forme, Milano Mozart eeh
Samba-Muté Samba, Taki Ba Forme, Milano Mozart
Kajo Malua, Gaultier Kumbu Poba aaah
Kajo Malua, Gaultier Kumbu Poba
Tina naboni nzoto na kolela
I don't see bodies, I collect souls
Na bungisi Martin Kama aah
Instead of diamonds of Martin Kama
Ambro State, Bigas Lembi taleta nga likambo
Ambro State, Bigas Lembi brought me a matter
Toubi Kaludji, Billy Bongibo, Françoise Toto oooh
Toubi Kaludji, Billy Bongibo, Francoise Toto oh
Uh, uh yé-yé-yé Betty Kapamba, Didier Ikoko, Chaley Shamba, Shiko de Panama
Uh, uh Betty Kapamba, Didier Ikoko, Chaley Shamba, Shiko de Panama
Bosko Boble, Mayelé Dinatshétshé, Serge Lélé
Bosko Boble, Mayelé Dinatshétshé, Serge Lélé
Celé Wadido ayebisaki Bonas Caludji wo-wo-wo
Celé Wadido assigned Bonas Caludji wo-wo-wo
Akoki o′salela ngayi anti-balle ya bolingo ooh
If you have a bullet of love, shoot me with it
Po bolingo ya Luc Ewing eniokoli Françoise Lembé
When the love of Luc Ewing meets Françoise Lembé
Josianna Masika, Willy Kusa, Patrick Malé Musa eeh
Josianna Masika, Willy Kusa, Patrick Malé Musa
Mua lolendo ya Buya Mayola
In the arms of Buya Mayola
Ezalaka po nayeba JC papa na Djessy Grec Kambele
It was the day I met JC Papa and Djessy Grec Kambele
Yves Musasa aaah
Yves Musasa, oh
Tuna Nelly na Mireille Salu
We're with Nelly and Mireille Salu
Kabela nga bolingo yeba Violette Dinganga, Deny Maestro
Spread love to Violette Dinganga, Deny Maestro
Ga Bolowa, Vivianne Kabeya, Amba de Makambo
Ga Bolowa, Vivianne Kabeya, Amba de Makambo
Beethoven Yombo
Beethoven Yombo
Y'otikanga kibida MG Tumba, Bicherera
In memory of MG Tumba, Bicherera
Pélé Gaulois, ô renda ngayi timide Pierre Lubi, Guy Bokolé
Help me, Pélé Gaulois, Pierre Lubi, Guy Bokolé
Alain Kiteté, Ponpon Mosengo ooh
Alain Kiteté, Ponpon Mosengo
Muana mama ô kuanzi nga bolingo ti na suka aaah
Mama's child, when I love, I do it perfectly
Jackson Mangala, bana K.V Bijoux Kabuya Chez Ntemba aaah
Jackson Mangala, K.V Bijoux's children at Chez Ntemba
Writer(s): Koffi Olomide
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kamel Garba
Je suis heureux d'avoir été de cette génération...On aura plus pareil Quartier Latin !
markus shivava
🎉u r the best
Unique shop 161
Le temps passe si vite mais ravi d'avoir été de cette génération ♥️♥️♥️ et d'avoir été bercé par ces douces mélodies
Maxmilla Anyango
Same here
Jalin
Une vraie démonstration de puissance de l'homme... Koffi forever
Fernando Margellan
@ John you are right
team MJJ
C'est clair , Koffi à vie 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Edy Ngui Essono
Je remercie toujours le Seigneur pour ma génération et pour la vie que j'ai aujourd'hui.... merci Seigneur !!!
Mahop Tongo
... Koffi... La meilleure ingénierie artistique de l'Afrique contemporaine...
Meck Tawete
Boxing