Born and brought up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo M'bilia Bel became successful in the mid-1980s when she recorded and toured with Tabu Ley Rochereau, and made her own solo albums. The birth of her first child prompted her to take a break from performing, however, and after a last album with Ley in 1987, she moved to Paris. There she started working with guitarist Rigo Star, and between 1989 and 1990 she went on to tour the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Africa.
She has released 4 albums since 1990. Her most recent, Belissimo, was released in 2004. M'bilia continues to wear her crown as Queen of Congolese rumba.
Nakeyi Nairobi
M'bilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yaka pembeni nazali se wayo ya motema.
To vandi bo mwana, to meseni nga nayo, Dunia.
To bandi bo mwana, ki moninga na miso ya mama
Ezali mabe nayoka okomi na pasi naza te.
Na koya na kenya na ya ko zwa yo tozonga
na Kinshasa. Ya Elodie, mapasa,
lokumu ya famille o ti wapi?
lokumu ya famille o ti wapi?
Ki kamarade ya bo mwana
Tango mosusu elekaka bondeko.
To yebani bo mwana.
To tamboli Kenya mobimba ngai na yo.
Nairobi, Mombasa ah, Nakuru, Kisumu toyebani
Harambee eh, Harambee eh, Harambee eh,
Harambee, Nyayo
(Repeat x7)
Nakei Nairobi, po na salisa Duni
Nakei Nairobi;
Na ko zonga na Duni
The lyrics to M'bilia Bel's song Nakeyi Nairobi are a reflection on the struggles of life and the desire for a better future. The opening lines speak to the listener about the challenges of the world, including the traps set for them by life. The following lines call for unity and understanding, urging listeners to work together for a better future.
The song goes on to reference the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi, as a place of potential escape from these challenges. The repetition of "Nakeyi Nairobi" throughout the song emphasizes the desire for freedom and the possibility of a better life. The song then circles back to the struggles of life, reminding the listener that there is no escape from them, but perhaps there is hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Na yoki Nzambe motindo ya mpasi, ba nyokoli yo.
I believe in God's divine plan for my life, they can't beat me down.
Yaka pembeni nazali se wayo ya motema.
I have moved on and I am focused on what's in my heart.
To vandi bo mwana, to meseni nga nayo, Dunia.
I am a child of the world, let me explore and discover new places.
To bandi bo mwana, ki moninga na miso ya mama
I am still a child, but with the eyes of my mother guiding me.
Ezali mabe nayoka okomi na pasi naza te.
The road may be tough, but I am not giving up.
Na koya na kenya na ya ko zwa yo tozonga na Kinshasa.
I have gone to Kenya, but I will return to Kinshasa.
Ya Elodie, mapasa, lokumu ya famille o ti wapi?
Elodie, my friend, where are your family and loved ones?
Ki kamarade ya bo mwana Tango mosusu elekaka bondeko.
My friend, let us stand together through thick and thin.
To yebani bo mwana. To tamboli Kenya mobimba ngai na yo.
Let's travel together, my friend. Let's explore Kenya and all its beauty.
Nairobi, Mombasa ah, Nakuru, Kisumu toyebani
Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kisumu, let's visit them all.
Harambee eh, Harambee eh, Harambee eh, Harambee, Nyayo
Together, forward, together, forward, Harambee (Kenya's national motto), Nyayo (meaning footsteps of the past leaders).
Nakei Nairobi, po na salisa Duni
I am leaving Nairobi, to discover new parts of the world.
Nakei Nairobi; Na ko zonga na Duni
I am leaving Nairobi, but I will return to discover more of the world.
Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@mamadoubaradji602
Merci
@musaastariko1144
what about Lady issa
@nicolentuala9052
Syllart Records c. Xxx xxx
@tuskahkorean5499
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Oh! Las grandezas de Africa. Sois seréis lo más grande de africa musicalmente. Desde niña, he seguido tu musica. Gracias Mbilia Bell.
Una admiradora de Guinea Ecuatorial, desde España.
@mamacitabecky
Torres redblue
@nanduducarol
Don't ask who is here in 2024, because we never left
@timothywekesa5361
I never left!
@legendaryjim8587
We thank God for life😮
@newwineskin5494
❤❤