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.
Respect
Koffi Olomide Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Non mwana, okotikalaka nsé elili
Okokoma mwinda te, contre molema
Eza ye, eza ye tolanda le guide
Mwana mama Amy alanga nzembo
Papa na Dydy Elvis Rocky Diego
La parole était les Dieux la parole était Dieu
Nzambe ya bibale bibuele likolo la terre ekelama na liloba
C'est permis de parler, kasi te ko lepakola n'importe quoi
Surtout na kombo ya le guide trop parler ebomaka Yaouli
N'ecclesias na makita na bino au lieu botanga kombo ya Jesus
Evangélisation na bino sé kombo ya Mopao
Aza elili matongi nde lobi na bino eko simba mpe nzoto
Mosala ya punda
La vérité blesse, mais c'est n'est pas la faute à celui
Qui la dit, c'est la faute à la vérité
Soki lupemba na ye ezo sala bino motema likundu
Botiya mabolongo na se maboko likolo
Botuna part na bino na nzambe kasi mopao te
Quadra Kora Man
Sekele ya vie yo moto mosala mpe ya nzambe
Eh boyebi que libanga bobambi ekweyi te
Ekangami na mopepe"
Mopao likambo na moto te
Ya biso Mopao likambo te na moto Idi
Soso asukola na mabele libata na mayi
Nani aleki petua Mopao a tima pembe système ya nsusu
Tolobaki tokolanda système ya tonga na singa
Nzela nioso Mopao akoleka tout le monde suit
Aleka Olympia to mona, aleka Bercy tomona suite Respect
Respect, respect na mokonzi ah
Eh nga e Quadra Kora Man Moto ya libazi ata okati kovo, Connaisseur akoyeba kaka Wana eza kikalungu"
L'homme ya Engundele avant bango na za
Nakozala toujours aussi longtemps que Dieu prêtera vie
Le grand Rambo Quadra Kora Man
Il est le guide mopao mokonzi, mwana ya mama Amy
Alanga nzembo, ba yina se pamba oo
Abeta Bercy Olympia tomona, azwaka ba 4 trophées
Esalema te Mopao Mopao Quadra Kora
Mokonzi aza libanga nzingi
Na seki mpo na za nakanda te yo ndika nzingi ko tiya te nzingi
a Moto ya makasi nzingi keba okotelama oyo eza monde arabe
Monde ya nko monde ya Okinawa ko si ki botte
you come and you come and to listen the world Arab
To clap hand Mopao Edji Dj Monde Arabe
Mutu mu tentaka sonta mpupu tenta ikina titina
The lyrics to Koffi Olomidé's song Respect reflect on the importance of respecting authority and speaking the truth. The song starts with an acknowledgment of a respected leader, referred to as “Mokonzi aye,” and the need to lay down their hands in submission to this authority figure. The song then moves on to a reflection on the power of words, referencing the creation story from the Bible and the idea that speaking too much can lead to trouble. The lyrics continue to urge listeners to use their words wisely, especially when it comes to speaking about the guide or leader.
The song also touches on the concept of truth and its ability to hurt or offend people, but emphasizes that it is not the fault of the person speaking the truth, but rather the fault of the truth itself. The chorus repeats the word “respect” as Koffi Olomidé emphasizes the need to honor and pay tribute to authority figures.
Overall, the lyrics of this song stress the importance of respecting authority figures and the power of words. It also reminds listeners to use their words wisely and speak the truth, even if it might be uncomfortable or difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Mokonzi aye, tobeta maboko
The leader here, raise your hands
Non mwana, okotikalaka nsé elili
Listen my child, don't be foolish forever
Okokoma mwinda te, contre molema
Don't hate people for no reason
Eza ye, eza ye tolanda le guide
That's him, that's him leading the way
Mwana mama Amy alanga nzembo
Amy's son sings
Papa na Dydy Elvis Rocky Diego
Dad and Dydy Elvis Rocky Diego
Au commencement était la parole
In the beginning there was the word
La parole était les Dieux la parole était Dieu
The word was with God and the word was God
Nzambe ya bibale bibuele likolo la terre ekelama na liloba
God created the heavens and the earth with a word
C'est permis de parler, kasi te ko lepakola n'importe quoi
It's allowed to talk, but don't just say anything
Surtout na kombo ya le guide trop parler ebomaka Yaouli
Especially with the leader's name, too much talking leads to mistakes
N'ecclesias na makita na bino au lieu botanga kombo ya Jesus
In your churches and Bibles, instead of using Jesus' name
Evangélisation na bino sé kombo ya Mopao
Your evangelism is Mopao's name
Aza elili matongi nde lobi na bino eko simba mpe nzoto
There are still many tongues that you have not yet learned
Mosala ya punda
The truth hurts
La vérité blesse, mais c'est n'est pas la faute à celui
The truth hurts, but it's not the one who says it that's wrong
Qui la dit, c'est la faute à la vérité
It's the truth that's at fault
Soki lupemba na ye ezo sala bino motema likundu
If his lie makes your heart red with anger
Botiya mabolongo na se maboko likolo
Close your ears and raise your hands
Botuna part na bino na nzambe kasi mopao te
Put your faith in God, not in Mopao
Quadra Kora Man
Quadra Kora Man
Sekele ya vie yo moto mosala mpe ya nzambe
The rhythm of your life, it's both human and divine
Eh boyebi que libanga bobambi ekweyi te
You know that fame doesn't last long
Ekangami na mopepe
I calm down myself
Mopao likambo na moto te
Mopao doesn't speak empty words
Ya biso Mopao likambo te na moto Idi
Our Mopao doesn't speak like Idi Amin
Soso asukola na mabele libata na mayi
He only uses his tongue to eat food and drink water
Nani aleki petua Mopao a tima pembe système ya nsusu
Whoever gave Mopao the advice to turn the blind eye on corruption
Tolobaki tokolanda système ya tonga na singa
We need to fight against the petty corruption system
Nzela nioso Mopao akoleka tout le monde suit
Mopao paves the way, everyone follows
Aleka Olympia to mona, aleka Bercy tomona suite Respect
He brought people to the Olympia, he brought them to Bercy, they respect him
Respect, respect na mokonzi ah
Respect, respect to the leader, ah!
Eh nga e Quadra Kora Man Moto ya libazi ata okati kovo, Connaisseur akoyeba kaka Wana eza kikalungu"
Hey, Quadra Kora Man! The motor of the world only turns once, the connoisseur knows that Wana is a deaf person
L'homme ya Engundele avant bango na za
I am the man from Engundele before these people existed
Nakozala toujours aussi longtemps que Dieu prêtera vie
I will always be around as long as God will allow it
Le grand Rambo Quadra Kora Man
The great Rambo, Quadra Kora Man
Il est le guide mopao mokonzi, mwana ya mama Amy
He is the guide, Mopao the leader, Amy's child
Alanga nzembo, ba yina se pamba oo
He sings, the names are everywhere
Abeta Bercy Olympia tomona, azwaka ba 4 trophées
He performs at Bercy and Olympia, he has won four trophies
Esalema te Mopao Mopao Quadra Kora
Don't be afraid, Mopao, Mopao, Quadra Kora
Mokonzi aza libanga nzingi
The leader is an exciting thing
Na seki mpo na za nakanda te yo ndika nzingi ko tiya te nzingi
Even though I have no money, I can't give up the excitement of being a leader
a Moto ya makasi nzingi keba okotelama oyo eza monde arabe
Oh, mighty one, I hope to find the courage in the Arab world
Monde ya nko monde ya Okinawa ko si ki botte
In the world of Nko and in the world of Okinawa, there are no boots
you come and you come and to listen the world Arab
You come and you come to listen to the Arab world
To clap hand Mopao Edji Dj Monde Arabe
To clap hands for Mopao, Edji, and DJ Monde Arabe
Mutu mu tentaka sonta mpupu tenta ikina titina
As one seeks wisdom, one makes mistakes and learns from them
Contributed by Sarah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@090nj2
Wenge's 'Kubuisa Mpimpa' album is my #1 favourite congolese album, but
This song is probably my #1 congolese song of all time.....
Everything in this song is perfect, especially in
4:07
It's too beautiful
Apocalypse's delivery always gets me shook, too beautiful aswell
8:12
@martialchedjouofficiel3290
Qui est là en 2024 🎉
@user-mu9fp4uy1k
Moi
@worldmusicafro_shaddyraddy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@jean-c04
2:43 la meilleure partie
@abeleko7016
Vous tous qui aimez Koffi, vous êtes des mélomanes je vous assures 🤩
@brenda0ndongo679
Les gens veulent te détruire en 2023 mais tu restes et tu restera notre légende car t'es œuvres d’hier n'ont pas finis de nous faire danser et de démontrer ton talent aujourd'hui et dans le futur merci mopao mokonzi
@moussakone4412
Qui écoute les anciens son du vieux comme moi encore en 2020 la
@priscayaya3132
Moi j ecoute
@augutumanay3655
Je parie pour cette chanson
@ndalamarvin6031
Moi