The two members of Positive Black Soul were both born in the city of Dakar, Senegal. As teenagers, Awadi and Barry were involved in the Dakar hip hop scene—Awadi leading his own group, Didier Awadi's Syndicate, a breakdancer[2] as well as a rapper; and Barry performing with the King MCs.[3] Originally Awadi and Barry were rivals, competing with each other in performances and coming from separate neighborhoods of Dakar. During a birthday party held by Awadi to which Barry was invited, however, the two performed together and realized their similarities, founding Positive Black Soul very soon after.[3] Activism and politics are central parts of the group's philosophy—its shortened name (PBS) was a play on the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais initialism "PDS".[2]
In 1992, the group performed at a music festival held by the Dakar French Cultural Center, where the French rapper MC Solaar heard their performance and invited the group to open for him when he debuted in Dakar in October of that year.[1][3] The rapper was impressed with Positive Black Soul, inviting them to continue performing with him in France.[1] Two years later the group put out its first release, a cassette entitled Boul Falé. The album was followed by more touring in France, as well as in England and Switzerland.[1] In the same year, the Senegalese musician Baaba Maal offered PBS the opportunity to be on his album Firin' in Fouta. Maal was signed to Mango Records and because of this recording with him, Positive Black Soul were signed as well. They released their album debut Salaam on Mango Records.[3] After achieving success in Senegal and some abroad, the group continued touring, including 130 performances in 1997.[1] They also began organizing concerts in Dakar and promoting new groups including Daara J and Pee Froiss.[4]
Positive Black Soul's first international release, New York Paris-Dakar, had been previously released as a cassette in Senegal. However it was only in 1997, six years after its initial appearance, that it was sold outside of the country.[5] The American rapper KRS-One, one of the group's collaborators on the album, shared a similar philosophy and interest in Pan-Africanism with Awadi and Barry.[5]
Gold and diamonds
Positive Black Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We really need to come together
Kingdoms and pyramids in Africa
We need to recognize our treasure
It is as if in full sea you sought the water
In full desert you sought the sand
If you told me that the sun is not hot
Imagine on Africa a collective hallucination
Millions of souls wandering in a collective illusion
Mystical illusion of a mythical indépandance
Where is passed the dream of Martin Luther King or Malcom X
Patrice Lumumba, Steven Biko would they be died for nothing
In any case 1 refuse to believe
There 1 am based on the history
On all wealth that one has in the continent
On my brothers my sisters all arms in the continent
On the multiple deposits, gold oil and diamonds
1 want a change Erika straight away and right now
Des princesses et des rois
nous ont laissé la dignité la foi
Pour avancer de Dakar à Douala
on n'peut oublier L'empire du Ghana
ni la reine de sabah non
Afrique unie nous voilà ensemble
Black attitude nous voilà
Afrique unie nous voilà ensemble
Black attitude
Plenty gold and Diamonds in Africa
We really need to come together
Kingdoms and pyramids in Africa
We need to recognize our treasure
How to explain that our patrimony so colossal
Have been able to fall in dirty hands profiting to all these jackals
How to explain that all our ancestral wealth
Have been able to be scattered of a manner if banal bit
1 understand you African seek in your past
Your culture, history tone you never will know enough
It is your power, to you to have it, sufficed just the will
Let's get toghether Man, because it is our power.
With all what one a, if one the tact, it is not truly
That one do not want it, do not tell me especially that one it can not
1 believe that one them bas too left to sow the discord
Because Africa is not deprived but only disunited.
Plenty gold and Diamonds in Africa
We really need to come toghether
Kingdoms and pyramids in Africa
We need to recognize our treasure
Ntomb'khona and Sister :
Emzansi emgodini
Kukhoni gotide
Dibananibo Masihlangane
Maye ndiyazi
Elobaba mkhulu
Yelele mama
Elobaba bethu (1eligolide)
The lyrics of Positive Black Soul's song "Gold and Diamonds" speak to the rich resources and cultural heritage of Africa and the urgent need for unity among its people to recognize and protect those assets. The chorus repeats the phrases "plenty gold and diamonds in Africa" and "kingdoms and pyramids in Africa" to emphasize the vast wealth and historical significance of the continent. The verses then delve into the reasons why Africa has not been able to fully realize and benefit from its resources, pointing to colonization and greed as factors that have led to the exploitation and dispersal of wealth.
The line "It is as if in full sea you sought the water, in full desert you sought the sand" is an analogy for the absurdity of not recognizing and using what is already there. The following lines challenge the idea that Africa is a lost cause or a place of collective hallucination, asserting that there is a strong basis for hope and change in the history and shared experiences of Africans. The song calls on listeners to seek out and embrace their cultural heritage, and to come together in unity to claim and protect their valuable resources.
Line by Line Meaning
Plenty gold and Diamonds in Africa
Africa has an abundance of gold and diamonds
We really need to come together
It's important for Africans to unite
Kingdoms and pyramids in Africa
Africa has a rich cultural history with kingdoms and pyramids
We need to recognize our treasure
Africans should acknowledge and appreciate their valuable resources
It is as if in full sea you sought the water
It's like you're looking for something that is already plentiful and obvious
In full desert you sought the sand
It's like you're searching for something that is already right in front of you
If you told me that the sun is not hot
If you deny something that is obviously true
Bullshits that no longer are acceptable
Excuses and lies are no longer tolerated
Imagine on Africa a collective hallucination
Thinking of Africa as something that is not real
Millions of souls wandering in a collective illusion
Many people are lost and delusional about the reality of Africa
Mystical illusion of a mythical indépandance
The idea of independence is a fantasy and not a reality
Where is passed the dream of Martin Luther King or Malcom X
What happened to the dreams of influential figures like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X?
Patrice Lumumba, Steven Biko would they be died for nothing
Did people like Patrice Lumumba and Steven Biko die in vain?
In any case 1 refuse to believe
I choose not to accept this reality
There 1 am based on the history
I rely on the history and facts of Africa
On all wealth that one has in the continent
Africa has a lot of natural resources and wealth
On my brothers my sisters all arms in the continent
We must rely on each other as Africans
On the multiple deposits, gold oil and diamonds
There are multiple valuable resources in Africa, such as gold, oil, and diamonds
1 want a change Erika straight away and right now
I want to see change happen immediately
How to explain that our patrimony so colossal
How can we explain the immense value and significance of our heritage?
Have been able to fall in dirty hands profiting to all these jackals
Our heritage has been taken advantage of by those who don't deserve it
How to explain that all our ancestral wealth
How can we explain the immense value of our inherited resources?
Have been able to be scattered of a manner if banal bit
Our resources have been carelessly dispersed in small amounts
1 understand you African seek in your past
I know African people look to their past for guidance and wisdom
Your culture, history tone you never will know enough
We can always learn more about our culture and history
It is your power, to you to have it, sufficed just the will
The power to change our future is within us, it just takes the will to make it happen
Let's get toghether Man, because it is our power.
We need to unite in order to have the strength to make a difference
With all what one a, if one the tact, it is not truly
We have everything we need to succeed if we use it wisely
That one do not want it, do not tell me especially that one it can not
Don't say it can't be done if you're not willing to try
1 believe that one them bas too left to sow the discord
There are people who purposely cause disagreement and chaos
Because Africa is not deprived but only disunited.
Africa has everything it needs to succeed, but we need to come together to make it happen
Des princesses et des rois
Of princesses and kings
nous ont laissé la dignité la foi
They have left us with dignity, faith
Pour avancer de Dakar à Douala
To move forward from Dakar to Douala
on n'peut oublier L'empire du Ghana
We must not forget the empire of Ghana
ni la reine de sabah non
Nor the queen of Sheba
Afrique unie nous voilà ensemble
We are united in Africa
Black attitude nous voilà
We have a black attitude
Ntomb'khona and Sister :
Ntomb'khona and Sister :
Emzansi emgodini
In the south in the dust
Kukhoni gotide
There is something happening
Dibananibo Masihlangane
Let us all meet up
Maye ndiyazi
But I know
Elobaba mkhulu
Big boss
Yelele mama
Let's go mother
Elobaba bethu (1eligolide)
Our boss (is gold)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VAN JOSEPH GIBBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grandsmo23
pbs!! i swear we wont realize how much you guys did for us... so much gems in your lyrics... real og panafricanist !!!
@bassfaye212
Les meilleurs de tous les temps. Regardez moi cette œuvre à cette époque. Jusqu'à présent vous ne verrez pas son égal
@thebourbonscene845
I have been jamming to this album since 2002. My step-dad is from Senegal 🇸🇳. I was 12 when I first listened to this record, currently 31 and still listening
@julcesar8449
Bravo PBS!!! C tjrs du lourd ce son!!
@wendondakoala2794
this song makes me cry. good vibes.
@khadidiatoukebe8297
Right me too.
@tafsirfall
So nice music!!!
@alyhane5305
Je crois kil ont été mal managé car ce son est un hit ki mérité plus k1 disc d'or. Vive PBS. Vous nous avez fait vibrer lors de cette bl époque
@mamadoudiarra4994
Il ne faut pas dire n'importe quoi PBS a été très bien managé ils sont connus partt et on sorti beaucoup de projets abouti mais cette chanson dénonce des choses et certains ne préfère pas diffuser bravo PBS Africa fête
@abothioune4338
I liked. It's wonderful.