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. M'bilia continues to wear her crown as Queen of Congolese rumba.
Nairobi
Mbilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
Mobimba na nga molimo pen a nzoto napesi yo Mayitavi
Natali liboso lisusu natali na sima nakamati decision Mayitavi
Banda moyi ya lelo natiki liberte na ngai, namikangi singa na kingo mpona ye
Okamwisi ngai mibali mingi bayela ngai baluka ngai natali bango pamba
Nakutani nay o se mbala moko otrouble ngai omarquer ngai Mayitavi
Elili nayo ekomami na se mpo na nga na moto na ngai lokola cimena
Ata kati ya moyi nazotala nakolota mobimba ya nzoto nay o amieeee
Lelo tosangani ngai nayo na marriage liboso ya Nzambe na baboti na biso
Mayi ekokita nga na misu nakomi kolela na ndimi te te nabali
Nayoki nzoto pio tangu babenisi biso na nganga nzambe o'embrasser ngai oleli
Mayitavi j'ai place toute ma vie en toi
The lyrics to Mbilia Bel's "Nairobi" are in Lingala, a Bantu language widely spoken in Central Africa. In the first verse, she sings about being timid and hesitant in love ("maboko polele," literally "shy hands"), but making the decision to get married nonetheless. She asks for her partner's understanding and patience ("nabosani banzela nyoso"), as her heart is both excited and uncertain ("motema na nga pembe"), and she has given everything to them ("nzoto na nga napesi yo"). The phrase "Yamba ngai oh" is a common refrain in Congolese music, meaning "listen to me" or "hear me out."
The second verse adds some details to the narrative. Mbilia Bel sings about her spiritual devotion ("mobimba na nga molimo") and how she made a commitment ("pen a nzoto napesi yo") to her lover, whose name is "Mayitavi." She mentions a decision she made in the past ("liboso lisusu") that influenced her current situation and relationship ("natali na sima nakamati decision Mayitavi"). She also talks about feeling trapped and troubled ("bana moyi ya lelo," literally "children of today"), but ultimately finding freedom and clarity ("tiki liberte na ngai") through her love for Mayitavi. The last line of the verse is a plea to be heard and validated, asking for a degree of love and recognition ("degree ya amour na ngai").
The third verse is more cryptic and emotional, with imagery that suggests a deep connection ("mibali mingi"), some kind of obstacle or danger ("bayela ngai," "baluka ngai"), and a sense of loss or sacrifice ("natali bango pamba"). Mbilia Bel sings about encountering and overcoming trouble with Mayitavi ("nakutani nay o se mbala moko otrouble ngai omarquer ngai"), and feeling a closeness as intense as fire ("elili nayo ekomami na se mpo na nga na moto na ngai"). She expresses a desire for closeness and intimacy ("o'embrasser ngai oleli"), and repeats the phrase "Mayitavi" as a kind of mantra or declaration of loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe, yamba nga na marriage eh
I surrender myself to you in submission, my heart is pure and sincere, I surrender to marriage.
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema, nzoto na nga napesi yo
I offer my whole self to you, my heart is burning, my body belongs to you.
Mobimba na nga molimo pen a nzoto napesi yo Mayitavi
My soul is filled with love, you own my body Mayitavi.
Natali liboso lisusu natali na sima nakamati decision Mayitavi
I am not confused anymore, I have made my decision Mayitavi.
Banda moyi ya lelo natiki liberte na ngai, namikangi singa na kingo mpona ye
Today I break free, I sing joyfully because I am finally free at last.
Mayitavi, tala ngai nakati ya misu tanga oyeba le degree ya amour na ngai
Mayitavi, listen to me, give me your hand, let me show you the degree of my love.
Okamwisi ngai mibali mingi bayela ngai baluka ngai natali bango pamba
You have confused me, given me so many choices, leaving me with nothing in the end.
Nakutani nay o se mbala moko otrouble ngai omarquer ngai Mayitavi
I met you, now I am troubled, you have marked me Mayitavi.
Elili nayo ekomami na se mpo na nga na moto na ngai lokola cimena
Your love is burning in me like fire, it's consuming me like a scene from a movie.
Ata kati ya moyi nazotala nakolota mobimba ya nzoto nay o amieeee
Even in the dead of night, I dance to the rhythm of my heart, my love is real and strong.
Lelo tosangani ngai nayo na marriage liboso ya Nzambe na baboti na biso Mayi ekokita nga na misu nakomi kolela na ndimi te te nabali Nayoki nzoto pio tangu babenisi biso na nganga nzambe o'embrasser ngai oleli Mayitavi j'ai place toute ma vie en toi
Today, let us go into marriage with God by our side. Even if people talk, I will dance to the rhythm of my heart. As long as we have each other and God, it does not matter what anyone else thinks. Mayitavi, I have placed my whole life in your hands.
Contributed by Makayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mikailm6934
I heard that you've been treated badly.
Come closer, in my heart, I am still yours.
We grew up together, we are used to each other, Dunia
We started our friendship since childhood, under the eyes of Mother.
It is inappropriate for me to hear that you are suffering in my absence.
I will come to Kenya to get you and bring you back
To Kinshasa. Big sister Elodie, twin sister
Why have you lowered your standard?
Big sister Elodie, twin sister
Why have you lowered your standard?
Friendship bonds from infancy
Is sometimes stronger than bonds between relatives.
We've known each other since infancy.
We've been all over Kenya together.
We are known in Nairobi, Mombasa ah, Nakuru, Kisumu
Harambee eh, Harambee eh, Harambee eh
Harambee, Nyayo
(Repeat x7)
I am on my way to Nairobi, to help Duni
I am on my way to Nairobi
I will bring Duni back
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And (re)discover all video clips and albums by the most popular artists from West Africa, Congo or Cape Verde : Mbilia, Bel, Tabu Ley, Sékouba Bambino, Diéneba Seck, Madilu System, Africando, Ismaël Lô, Kandia Kouyaté, Cabo Verde Show, Bembeya Jazz, Etoile de Dakar, Le Rail Band, ...
@mamadoubaradji602
Merci
@musaastariko1144
what about Lady issa
@nicolentuala9052
Syllart Records c. Xxx xxx
@tuskahkorean5499
Syllart Records
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
❤❤