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.
Mbokani
Koffi Olomide Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tabou fatou yoka nga
Yo oza obligé au comprendre nga
Na za oeuvre ayo osala eee
Oza obligé o taléla nga po ngai wa yo sans toi
Na za moto sans horizon
Bato ivre navigant dans les eaux troubles
Hum ba mbula ébélé ba sanza ébélé
Nzoto na nga élamba nango prefere eza poso na yo
Chaque éténi ya nzoto na nga ekoma banque ya amour na yo Dieu merci mbokani
Ko boya nga éza solution té ata na sali mabé
Pardonné nga méa coulpa ééh
Est ce que lélo soki o tiki nga mpé lobi oyébi té épanaké
Na zongoli ba moment ya busoba est ce que éza soni te
Pona yo mutu osala nga eee
Soki o pesi nga mbisi na ko lia mokolo moko
Soki o téi ngai ko pépa plus jamais na ko kufa nzala
Pésa nga lélo etumbu ézali te ya pour toute la vie
Kasi siko oko boya ngai ooolongoli nga soufle ya vie pour toujour
Moklisto soki a sali lisumu soki a tubéli ma bé na yé
Nganga nzambé a ko limbisa yé pé ako lésai yé eucharistie
Pourquoi yo olingi no o ko sala bongo té payi na nga
Awa yo o pési mokongo lobi soki oyoki nga na wé
Toumba nga ébongo putulu na nga otia na bilei ya niawou na yo
Na koma ko vivre o tei na ye, po o linga ngai à travers ye,
Na komi ko yoka mongongo na yo chaque fois soki o zo benga ye miaou! miaou!
Hum! pardon na yo motuya na ngo vraiment eza na combien
Ko limbisa moninga est-ce que il faut a futa prix ya vis na ye
Cas na nga ezo pesa mawa koleka moto ya kossovo
Pasi ya l'amour
(End)
The lyrics to Koffi Olomide's song Mbokani are about a man confessing his love to a woman and asking her to understand his deep emotional connection to her. He describes himself as a ship without direction, lost and troubled in his feelings without her. He is grateful for her love and considers her the bank of his heart. The chorus speaks of forgiveness and asking if the present moment is an opportunity to mend what was broken in the past. He tells her that he will do anything to keep her by his side, expressing his desire to live through her and his willingness to sacrifice for her.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of religion, referencing God and the sacrament of Eucharist. It highlights the struggles in the relationship, as the woman seems reluctant to fully commit herself to the man. He acknowledges his mistakes and asks for forgiveness, hoping they can move forward and build a future together. The song is a plea for understanding, forgiveness, and commitment in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Mon amour yoka nga
My love, know me
Tabou fatou yoka nga
Shy or not, know me
Yo oza obligé au comprendre nga
You are obliged to understand me
Na za oeuvre ayo osala eee
I am dedicated to you, forever
Oza obligé o taléla nga po ngai wa yo sans toi
You must promise me to never leave me
Na za moto sans horizon
I am a man without a direction
Bato ivre navigant dans les eaux troubles
Drunk people sailing in troubled waters
Hum ba mbula ébélé ba sanza ébélé
The waters are rough, the skies are cloudy
ésangisa nga na yo
You are my anchor
Nzoto na nga élamba nango prefere eza poso na yo
My heart is beating for you, its preferred resting place
Chaque éténi ya nzoto na nga ekoma banque ya amour na yo Dieu merci mbokani
Every beat of my heart becomes a bank of love for you, thank God for the bond we share
Ko boya nga éza solution té ata na sali mabé
I do not have a solution, I am lost
Pardonné nga méa coulpa ééh
Forgive me for my mistakes
Est ce que lélo soki o tiki nga mpé lobi oyébi té épanaké
If you do not listen to me today, will you hear me tomorrow?
Na zongoli ba moment ya busoba est ce que éza soni te
I long for moments of happiness, will they ever come?
Pona yo mutu osala nga eee
My life is dedicated to you
Soki o pesi nga mbisi na ko lia mokolo moko
If you give me water, I will drink it once
Soki o téi ngai ko pépa plus jamais na ko kufa nzala
If you do not love me, I will never die
Pésa nga lélo etumbu ézali te ya pour toute la vie
Tell me today that death is not the end of life
Kasi siko oko boya ngai ooolongoli nga soufle ya vie pour toujour
But if you promise to keep breathing life into me forever
Moklisto soki a sali lisumu soki a tubéli ma bé na yé
The next person who comes must respect and understand my love
Nganga nzambé a ko limbisa yé pé ako lésai yé eucharistie
God will bless him and make him swear by you
Pourquoi yo olingi no o ko sala bongo té payi na nga
Why do they want to separate us?
Awa yo o pési mokongo lobi soki oyoki nga na wé
And you give me a kiss when you see me
Toumba nga ébongo putulu na nga otia na bilei ya niawou na yo
And I fall on my knees and kiss your feet
Na koma ko vivre o tei na ye, po o linga ngai à travers ye,
I come to live in you, and you love me through you, and
Na komi ko yoka mongongo na yo chaque fois soki o zo benga ye miaou! miaou!
I want to know your every move, every time you call me meow! meow!
Hum! pardon na yo motuya na ngo vraiment eza na combien
Hum! Forgive me, my love, how much it is for real?
Ko limbisa moninga est-ce que il faut a futa prix ya vis na ye
To bless someone, does it have a price?
Cas na nga ezo pesa mawa koleka moto ya kossovo
My heart is aching, like a motor without fuel
Pasi ya l'amour
The path of love
Writer(s): Koffi Olomide
Contributed by Emma S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@donaldbileko6796
Mopao, grand prêtre,le consolateur de tout les temps, grand merci à maman ami qui t'a donnée la vie.
@idrissbadibanga4658
Qui là ? Suis le premier à liké... Idriss Badibanga depuis quelques part ...
@salimkasaka4717
Ca ce bon papi, merci boku.
@kinyunyisaleh9157
Allez de l'avant chers champions. Nioso nzambe kaka leader!!!!
@jeannoelmagouindimamoundan2730
Un duo de choc toujours imité mais jamais égalé
@sosthenmukamba963
Olomide Ingénieur
@justicemuzondo2402
Rhumba is always my passion.Your beats guys are out of this world.Bravoo to u
@jeannoelmagouindimamoundan2730
Rien que du bonheur... Merci
@stevegyang8389
Cindy looking great,thanks
@patrickeffa8829
C'est ce qu'on appelle une composition musicale trop d'originalité merci l'artiste pour cette belle œuvre