Kanté was born into one of Guinea's best known families of griot (hereditary) musicians. After being brought in the Mandinka griot tradition in Guinea, he was sent to Mali at the age of seven years – where he learned to play the kora, as well as important voice traditions, some of which are necessary to become a griot.
In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band, in which Salif Keïta was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.
Mory Kanté is best remembered internationally for his 1987 hit song "Yéké Yéké", which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European Number One.
On 16 October 2001, Mory Kanté was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Kanté was among Africa’s top musicians – including Tiken Jah Fakoly, Amadou & Mariam and the rapper Didier Awadi – that banded together for the recording of "Africa Stop Ebola," a song offering sound advice aimed at raising awareness in the wake of the Ebola crisis. The song, released in November 2014, transcended public service announcements and sold 250,000 copies with all proceeds going to medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Yeke Yeke
Mory Kanté Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bi sounkouroun lou la donkégna, ah, ah
I madji I ma yélé
I kanan n'bila nara ro
N'bo n'bolo bila
Kanfalani yana sara le ila
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Bi kamberen lou la donkégna, ah, ah
Bi kamberen lou la donkégna, ah, ah
I madji I ma yélo
I kanan n'bila nara ro
N'bo n'bolo bila
Gnin kisse gbela sara le ila
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
I kanan n'bila doni kassi kan
Woyé boli lalé (Wo dén té soron)
Nyé n'ta soron akono
Mi ma ta I yonfé (Wo dén té soron lonkéléna)
Sini Mory la diyandé
Timba bara wouloukounta
Souba ma kata I yala
Ah sara le ila
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké (Djely mousso ni kédjou to wara bo)
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké (M'ba mofila téma yan féou)
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Bi kamberen lou la donkégna, ah, ah
Bi sounkouroun lou la donkégna, ah, ah
I madji I ma yélo
I kanan n'bila nara ro
N'bo n'bolo bila
Kanfalani yana sara le ila
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
I kanan n'bila doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Wo dén té soron)
I kanan n'bila doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Wo dén té soron)
Nyé n'ta sorona kono, mi ma ta I yonfé (Wo dén té soron lonkéléna)
Nyé n'ta sorona kono, mi ma ta I yonfé (Wo dén té soron lonkéléna)
Sini Mory la diyandé, Timba bara wouloukounta, souba ma kata I yala
Ah sara le ila
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
The lyrics to Mory Kanté's hit song Yéké Yéké is sung in Bambara, a language spoken in Mali. The song goes, "Bi sounkouroun lou la donkégna, ah, ah" which translates to "The heavy load is difficult to bear." The song is generally regarded as a protest song that represents the plight of the African people who are weighed down by the struggles of daily living.
The lyrics also talk about a person who is trying to overcome different challenges in life that are symbolized by the heavy load. They say, "I madji I ma yélé, I kanan n'bila nara ro, N'bo n'bolo bila" which means "I am determined to succeed even though the road is tough and the climb is steep." The repetition of the phrase "Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké" throughout the song is an expression of joy and happiness, and is often chanted at celebrations and ceremonies.
In summary, Yéké Yéké is a song that celebrates resilience and commitment to success despite the difficulties, and also encapsulates the spirit of joy and celebration that is an essential part of the African culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Bi sounkouroun lou la donkégna, ah, ah
Amidst the sounds of the local drum, ah, ah
I madji I ma yélé
At the height of the dance, I am shouting
I kanan n'bila nara ro
I am swaying to the beat of the drums
N'bo n'bolo bila
My body is moving in harmony
Kanfalani yana sara le ila
The rhythm is calling me to go higher
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké
The beat is powerful and contagious
Bi kamberen lou la donkégna, ah, ah
Among the sounds of the local flute, ah, ah
I madji I ma yélo
At the height of the dance, I am singing
Gnin kisse gbela sara le ila
The melody is lifting me up
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Come be part of the celebration and join me in this dance (Hey! Hey!)
I kanan n'bila doni kassi kan
I am moving to the sound of the drums
Nyé n'ta soron akono
I am feeling the power of the music
Mi ma ta I yonfé (Wo dén té soron lonkéléna)
My heart is beating in tune with the drums (We are caught up in the rhythm)
Sini Mory la diyandé
Here comes Mory with his music
Timba bara wouloukounta
The drums are beating loudly
Souba ma kata I yala
The music is making me dance
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké (Djely mousso ni kédjou to wara bo)
The beat is so strong that even the griots are dancing (The women griots are shaking their heads)
Yékéké nimo yé ké yé ké (M'ba mofila téma yan féou)
The beat is so strong that it makes me forget my worries
Ké woyé boli lalé, N'na doni kassi kan, Woyé boli lalé (Eh! Eh!)
Come be part of the celebration and join me in this dance (Hey! Hey!)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mory Kante
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gtimru
He was my grand father 😢and his music will live in our soul and family blood forever . 🙏🏽
@MrKishorerg
Is it ...fine..
I like very much this song
Loves from india
@gerardocorrea9559
Blessings
@priyamdutta9328
Love from india
@chanakyaclatclasses6070
Hey Dear, love from India..Your grand father was a legend.. and yes , he and his music is in our soul too forever..
@thefeelingbelief3904
This song I have secretly danced to for twenty years. Your clever grandfather is still making me dance.
@deborahekomanndi1442
RIP Mory Kante 😢🕊💐🕯🇬🇳🙏🏾
@bazzib4953
Just heard the news so sad 🕊🌹
@Ibrahim1214
RIP LEGEND 🙏🏿🤲🏿👌🏿✌🏿✊🏿😢
@robkegee5824
Old days where great