The band was founded in 1982 in Angers, France by singer/keyboardist Denis Péan and Richard Bourreau (violin/kora). These two have remained central to Lo'Jo throughout their history. For several years, with a rotating cast of members, they played events locally, working with acrobats, street theatre, mime, dancers and film as part of their overall presentation. They have subsequently maintained a communal lifestyle, based in Angers.
By the end of the 1980s, they were playing throughout Europe and had appeared in New York as part of an artists' collective. Including Nicholas 'Kham Meslien (bass) and Matthieu Rousseau (drums) (later replaced by Franck Vaillant), they consolidated their line-up, and their first album, Fils de Zamal, was released in 1993. In 1995 the group added Berber singer/saxophonist Yamina Nid El Mourid and her sister, Nadia Nid El Mourid, who brought a strong North African influence to the music. In 1996, the new lineup recorded Sin Acabar, and 1997 saw them complete Mojo Radio, both with English producer Justin Adams. Upon the latter's release they found more acclaim in the world music community, getting them on the WOMAD circuit.
In 1999, they journeyed to Bamako, Mali, to begin work on Bohème de Cristal. While in Mali, they became involved in the organization of the Desert Music Festival held in January 2001. They have also collaborated with a wide variety of musicians, including Tinariwen.
In 2002 they released the acclaimed Au Cabaret Sauvage (originally issued in France as L'une des Siens). This was followed by a live album Ce Soir Là (2003), and a new studio album Bazar Savant (2006). In 2009 they released the album Cosmophono, and toured in the UK.
Discography
Studio:
1990 The International Courabou
1993 Fils de Zamal
1994 G7 of Destruction & Artisans of Peace
1996 Sin Acabar
1998 Mojo Radio
2000 Bohême de cristal
2002 L'une des siens
2006 Bazar savant
2009 Cosmophono
2012 Cinéma el Mundo
Other:
1989 Depuis très longtemps (K7)
1995 Le disque dort (33 tours)
2003 Ce soir là... (Live)
2007 Tu connais LO'JO ? (Best of)
Website (Bandinfo): http://www.lojo.org/
Facebooksite: http://www.facebook.com/lojomusic
MusicBrainz:http://musicbrainz.org/artist/a1c1fb23-38e0-4d7f-8fed-3c81fef5ad0f
M.C. Kiff-Kiff
Lo'Jo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the devil overheatin' your senses
I'm worried, of listening first values
'Cause even with that play, I won't stand out
I'm afraid you got the wrong run up 'cause my man
In trump, it's build-up
Let someone else 'cause you too
Won't you phony tickle, it's not too late
Stone mushy everything
Yeah, stone mushy everything, road to cash
Come, we got fancy in Delhi, yeah
What's wrong 'bout dance dance day after day?
His force, a kiss, it's a blind belief
Just as over as your, and can't live it
'Cause you know guy, one of the greatest evil
Of our time is nothing less that your man
Look your crimes
The lyrics to Lo'Jo's song "M.C. Kiff-Kiff" delve into the artist's observations and concerns about the competitive nature of society. The first few lines suggest a feeling of worry and unease in a world where success is often measured by material accomplishments. The reference to the devil overheating one's senses can be interpreted as the pressure to conform to societal expectations and the fear of losing oneself in the pursuit of recognition.
The following lines express a fear of losing individuality and being overshadowed by others who may have mastered the art of playing the game. The phrase "stone mushy everything" could refer to a sense of stagnation or conformity, where everything becomes flattened and lacking in depth. There is a plea to not be deceived by superficial flattery that may come too late to make a difference.
The lyrics then transition to a questioning of the importance placed on dance and entertainment in daily life. The line "What's wrong 'bout dance dance day after day?" suggests a reflection on the superficiality of constant distractions and the questioning of the blind faith placed in celebrity culture.
The song concludes with a powerful statement about the true evil of our time being not a grand external force, but rather our own individual choices and actions. The mention of "look your crimes" serves as an invitation for introspection and personal accountability in a society that often seeks external sources to blame.
Overall, "M.C. Kiff-Kiff" is a commentary on the pressures of conformity and the importance of staying true to one's values in a competitive world that often values surface-level achievements over genuine connection and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
In this land of competitiveness
In this world where everyone is competing against each other
Where the devil overheatin' your senses
Where the intense pressure and desire for success is overwhelming
I'm worried, of listening first values
I am concerned about prioritizing materialistic values
'Cause even with that play, I won't stand out
Because even if I try to conform, I won't be unique
I'm afraid you got the wrong run up 'cause my man
I'm afraid you have misunderstood the approach my friend
In trump, it's build-up
In the grand scheme of things, it's all about manipulation and power
Let someone else 'cause you too
Let someone else take the lead because you also
Won't you phony tickle, it's not too late
Won't you stop pretending, there's still time to change
Stone mushy everything, hmm, drr
Reject conventional norms and embrace raw authenticity
Stone mushy everything
Embrace and accept everything as it is
Yeah, stone mushy everything, road to cash
Yes, embrace everything and pursue material wealth
Come, we got fancy in Delhi, yeah
Come, let's experience the luxuries of Delhi
What's wrong 'bout dance dance day after day?
What's wrong with dancing every day?
His force, a kiss, it's a blind belief
The power and attraction of a kiss is a blind faith
Just as over as your, and can't live it
Just like your desires, it is impossible to sustain
'Cause you know guy, one of the greatest evil
Because you know, my friend, one of the greatest evils
Of our time is nothing less that your man
Of our time is no one other than your own self
Look your crimes
Face your own wrongdoings
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Denis Pean, Richard Bourreau, Kham Meslien, Baptiste Brondy, Yamina Nid el Mourid, Nadia Nid el Mourid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind