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.
TonTon Skol
Mbilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bengela nga ah Tonton Skol
A sukisa moto ayeli nga etumba
Ah Tonton Skol
Tembe nye
Ah Tonton Skol
Tembe nye nye
Etumba eye eh
A sukisa moto ayeli nga etumba
Ah Tonton Skol
Tembe nye
Ah Tonton Skol
Tembe nye nye
Engindi ko nginda eh
Mobali oyo aluki nga libala
Nayebisi ye carrément nga nazali engage
Engage na Tonton Skol
Tembe nye
Na Tonton Skol
Tembe nye nye
Nayebisi ye carrément nga nazali engage
Engage na Tonton Skol
Tembe nye
Na Tonton Skol
Tembe nye nye
Nalingi ko mela eh
Po na sepelisa nzoto na nga
Pesa nga noki molangi ya Tonton Skol
Oh Toton Skol
Elengi eye
Oh Toton Skol
Elengi eye eh
Nalingi ko mela eh
Po na sepelisa nzoto na nga
Pesa nga noki molangi ya Tonton Skol
Oh Toton Skol
Elengi eye
Oh Toton Skol
Elengi eye eh
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Na yoki na nzoto elengi ya lisano
Na bimi na kei na ekala po na sepela
Ngai nako tuna masanga nini ih
Po na yoka elengi ya la vie na nzoto na nga ah
Po te na bela te na vanda sante
Nga nako mela Tonton SkoooolI
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Tonton Skol biere malamu
Eko pesa nzoto elengi pe makasi eh
Eko zongisa yo nzoto ya jeunesse
Na lapa nako mela se Tonton Skol
Oh Tonton Skol à la santé
Oh Tonton Skol, biere ya la vie
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
The song "Tonton Skol" by Mbilia Bel is an ode to the popular Congolese beer brand Tonton Skol. The lyrics are a celebration of the beer and its ability to bring people together in joyous festivities. The opening lines of the song, "Etumba eye eh Bengela nga ah Tonton Skol," translate to "Hold my hand and let's drink Tonton Skol." The song goes on to describe the happiness and camaraderie that come from sharing a cold bottle of beer with friends.
The chorus of the song is upbeat and catchy, urging listeners to join in the celebration: "Biso toko mela Tonton Skol, Bino boko mela Tonton Skol, Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol" which means "we drink Tonton Skol, you drink Tonton Skol, everyone loves Tonton Skol." Mbilia Bel's signature voice is accompanied by a lively guitar, drums, and horns, adding to the festive vibe of the song.
Overall, "Tonton Skol" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the simple joys of life – friendship, laughter, and good beer, bringing people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Etumba eye eh
The heartbeat is strong
Bengela nga ah Tonton Skol
I call upon Tonton Skol
A sukisa moto ayeli nga etumba
To revive my spirit that is like a motor
Ah Tonton Skol
I call upon Tonton Skol
Tembe nye
Step gently
Ah Tonton Skol
I call upon Tonton Skol
Tembe nye nye
Step gently and slowly
Engindi ko nginda eh
I have found someone who understands me
Mobali oyo aluki nga libala
This man treats me well
Nayebisi ye carrement nga nazali engage
I am engaged to him without any hesitation
Engage na Tonton Skol
Engaged to Tonton Skol
Nayebisi ye carrement nga nazali engage
I am engaged to him without any hesitation
Nalingi ko mela eh
I love drinking
Po na sepelisa nzoto na nga
To celebrate my spirit
Pesa nga noki molangi ya Tonton Skol
Give me the beer of Tonton Skol
Oh Tonton Skol
Oh Tonton Skol
Elengi eye
It is sweet
Oh Tonton Skol
Oh Tonton Skol
Elengi eye eh
It is very sweet
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
We drink Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
You also drink Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Even the elders long for Tonton Skol
Na yoki na nzoto elengi ya lisano
I know the secret of the sweet taste
Na bimi na kei na ekala po na sepela
I dance and sing to celebrate myself
Ngai nako tuna masanga nini ih
I do not care about the opinion of others
Po na yoka elengi ya la vie na nzoto na nga ah
To find the joy of life in my spirit
Po te na bela te na vanda sante
Whether I stand or sit, I am satisfied
Nga nako mela Tonton SkoooolI
When I drink Tonton Skol
Tonton Skol biere malamu
Tonton Skol is good beer
Eko pesa nzoto elengi pe makasi eh
It gives me a strong and sweet spirit
Eko zongisa yo nzoto ya jeunesse
It awakens my youthful spirit
Na lapa nako mela se Tonton Skol
When I drink Tonton Skol at the bar
Oh Tonton Skol à la sante
Oh Tonton Skol, cheers
Oh Tonton Skol, biere ya la vie
Oh Tonton Skol, beer of life
Biso toko mela Tonton Skol
We drink Tonton Skol
Bino boko mela Tonton Skol
You also drink Tonton Skol
Bato banso bako lingaka se Tonton skol
Even the elders long for Tonton Skol
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AM
on I yolela
Nice song...lyrics and translaton are missing.
AM
on I yolela
I have been looking lyrics and translation of this song for long time. I like music but I dont understand anything.
Ik Nzekwue
on Shauri Yako
Beautiful song
Joel
on Nadina - Lingala
We need English translation
Saka Lewis Kas
on Boya ye
beautiful!!