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.
Paka Wewe
Mbilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sikiliza mfano wako ehee
Sitowe mbele ya watu papaa
Sitowe mbele ya watu ehee
Sababu gani ehee natoa makuta
Sababu gani ehee nashinda sipansio papaa
Siwezi kuiba papaa juu yako juu yako ehee
Siwezi kuiba papaa juu ya sifa yako
Sababu Niko na wewe ndio nateseleshwa
Kama sikuwa na wewe papaa nisinge teseleshwa
Wabwana wananitamani Mimi sitaki
Tokea tangu zamani ujanipatia kitu
Wabwana wananitamaini Mimi sitaki
Tokea tangu zamani ujanipatia kitu
Leo hii haya ni yako unikane Mimi paka na wewe
Sababu Niko na wewe papaa ndio nateseleshwa
Kama sikuwa na wewe papaa singe teseleshwa ehee
Wabwana wananitamani Mimi sitaki
Tokea tangu zamani ujanipatia kitu
Wabwana wananitamani Mimi sitaki
Tokea tangu zamani ujanipatia kitu
Ohoo Dada mapenzi ya fedha Dada ni sifa
Kweli kwa mbele ya wandugu na dada nafamilia yote
Lakini mapenzi ya fedha si yakweli mama,Dada sikiliza mama Ohio
Ulijua Dada Mimi masikini nakutongoza dada wewe mtajili
Kwa nini Dada ukunikana Mimi
Unanitesa bure Ohio mama Ohio kaka ohoo dada
Waniumiza roho ohooo
Ohoo Dada mapenzi ya fedha Dada ni sifa
Lakini mapenzi ya pesa si ya kweli Dada,mama
The lyrics of the song "Paka Wewe" by Mbilia Bel talk about a woman who is the singer's role model. She talks about how she admires this woman so much that she cannot do anything that might compromise her respect for her. She acknowledges that the reason she does not steal or engage in any dubious activities is that she does not want to be a disappointment to her role model. The singer also talks about how she grateful she is to this woman for always being there for her and helping her out in life.
The chorus of the song then talks about how the singer is being rejected by some men who are interested in her because she is not interested in them. However, she does not care because she is content with the relationship she has with her role model, which is more meaningful to her than any other form of romantic involvement. She even goes to the extent of requesting her role model to deny knowing her if it means protecting her image and reputation.
The song highlights the importance of having role models in life and striving to emulate their values and principles. It also explores the idea of true happiness and contentment, which can only be found in genuine human connections rather than the pursuit of money and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Sikiliza mfano wako papaa
Listen to your own example, dad
Sikiliza mfano wako ehee
Listen to your own example, dad
Sitowe mbele ya watu papaa
I won't go in front of people, dad
Sitowe mbele ya watu ehee
I won't go in front of people, dad
Sababu gani ehee natoa makuta
Why should I give money, dad?
Sababu gani ehee nashinda sipansio papaa
Why am I suffering, dad?
Siwezi kuiba papaa juu yako juu yako ehee
I can't steal from you, dad, because of your reputation
Siwezi kuiba papaa juu ya sifa yako
I can't steal from you, dad, because of your reputation
Leo hii aya ni yako unikane Mimi paka na wewe
Today the blame is on you, dad, deny me if you want
Sababu Niko na wewe ndio nateseleshwa
Because I'm with you, dad, that's why I'm suffering
Kama sikuwa na wewe papaa nisinge teseleshwa
If I wasn't with you, dad, I wouldn't be suffering
Wabwana wananitamani Mimi sitaki
Gentlemen desire me, but I'm not interested
Tokea tangu zamani ujanipatia kitu
Since a long time ago, you gave me something
Wabwana wananitamaini Mimi sitaki
Gentlemen trust me, but I'm not interested
Ohoo Dada mapenzi ya fedha Dada ni sifa
Ohoo Sister, love for money is a reputation
Kweli kwa mbele ya wandugu na dada nafamilia yote
True in front of siblings and the entire family
Lakini mapenzi ya fedha si yakweli mama,Dada sikiliza mama Ohio
But love for money is not true, listen to me, sister
Ulijua Dada Mimi masikini nakutongoza dada wewe mtajili
You know, sister, I'm poor and I'm chasing after you, who are rich
Kwa nini Dada ukunikana Mimi
Why are you denying me, sister?
Unanitesa bure Ohio mama Ohio kaka ohoo dada
You're hurting me for no reason, sister, mother, brother and ohoo sister
Waniumiza roho ohooo
You're hurting my soul, ohooo
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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And (re)find all video clips and albums from 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, ...
@masanjamkinga21
Imetulia
@austyk0menan413
Une voix suave ! Merci syllart records. Ça fait remonter des temps, des souvenirs. Ah le bon vieux temps !
@helenahelena2490
Since when i was small I use to listen this song antil now I'm growin up
@estherulikaye2031
🥰
@user-dm4bm5uw5j
See
@bakitadorcas471
RDC 🇨🇩 eloko ya makasi , RDC kitu ya nguvu, RDC kima kia ngolo, RDC ntshîtu tshia djilenga, RDC bor fort .nyimbo mzuri saana ❤️
@pharrelnyadera3590
Finally I found it! Now I can't get enough of it. ♥♥
Nairobi, KENYA.
@cyrustoweh391
She's my very favorite no the maps of African music 🎵 I her with all my heart Thanks to those that are keeping it alive Long Live African music 🎵🎶🎶🙏👑👑💟🇱🇷🐕🐈🐒🐄🐄🌞🏠🏠🌎🌎👋👋👍🙏💕💕🎄🐦🐦🐦🎄🎄🎄🐈🐈🎶😊😎
@paulmwandoe3959
Sawa baba PN