They achieved considerable fame throughout Europe and the rest of the world due to the fact that even non-francophones found it easy to fall victim to their infectious sense of rhythm.
Saïan Supa Crew produced a very musical style of rap with hints of chanting, reggae and dancehall. Beat boxing also is an integral part of their music, as well as classic disco; for example, Ring My Bell was partially revisited on their album KLR.
Their primary themes extend from drug problems (Que dit-on?) to racism (La preuve par 3), including also relationships (A demi-nue), suicide (La dernière séance) and the justification of violence by religion (Au nom de quoi). Humor and seriousness are both at home in their lyrics.
Their second album, X-raisons, was awarded a Victoire de la musique in 2002 for Best Rap/Groove Album.
Most of the groups of the collective have solo albums out as well. OFX was the first to debut, with their album Roots in February 2004, followed shortly by Explicit Samouraï in January 2005 and later by Sir Samuel whose solo album, Vizé pli o, was released in April 2005.
In 2009 Féfé released his solo debut, Jeune à la retraite.
The last album from Saïan Supa Crew, Hold Up, was released Halloween 2005. On this album, the group demonstrated their breadth with three featured artists: German singer Patrice on 96 degreez, the singer Camille on Si j'avais su, and Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas on La patte.
The group disbanded in 2007 shortly after primary members Leeroy Kesiah and Feniksi left.
Other group members include Vicelow, Sly the Mic Buddha, Leeroy Kesiah, Specta, and KLR (died 1999).
Que dit-on
Saïan Supa Crew Lyrics
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Mais que dit-on quand un dealer de drogue dure deale? (x2)
On ferme les yeux et on le laisse faire son bizness tranquille
Et on les ouvre quand il concerne son fils ou sa fille
Samuel:
Et il deale, deale, sa drogue dans la ville
Les jeunes au bord du gouffre qui souffrent sont les premières victimes,
Laissant sur les bras de ses victimes des traces indélébiles.
La poudre blanche flotte dans l'atmosphère
A traversé la mer et forcé nos frontières
Il suffit d'une dose pour que l'étau se resserre.
Faut-il ou non se taire ou envoyer tous les dealers griller en enfer?
Mais en attendant que dit-on, mais que dit-on,
Quand un dealer de drogue dure deale?
Roule en B.M. posant des bombes blanches dans la ville
Le pire c'est qu'il se fait la malle,
Ne fais pas l'erreur de tomber dans ce vice.
Tout le monde est au courant, la mairie ainsi que la police, fils.
Comme le dit Gyver, c'est à nous e stopper le génocide.
Nous sommes des " deejays " militants,
Face à la drogue, nous sommes restés lucides.
Toxicoman, je m'adresse à toi, je serai la cause de tes insomnies
Mais je préfère te prévenir avant l'autopsie
Tu me stoppes si j'ai tort, si t'as souri au produit interdit (x2)
C'est que tu n'aimes pas ta vie (x2)
(Coro)
Leeroy:
Pas la moindre pitié, pas la moindre intention d's'arrêter,
Pas la moindre occasion de dire stop face à la drogue et ses nombreux billets.
Le dealer deale encore plus pour prendre de la monnaie étant
Lui-même dans la galère, seule excuse qu'il puisse pour trouver.
Mais la poudre aura raison de lui,
A chaque dose vendue, une seringue de plus s'introduit,
Dans le corps d'un innocent, qui absorbe chaque jour ce produit.
La chose se fait de telle sorte que l'âme de chacun s'enfuit.
Pas la moindre pitié, pas la moindre intention d's'arrêter,
Pas la moindre occasion de dire stop face à la drogue
Et ses nombreux billets.
Le dealer deale encore plus pour prendre de la monnaie
Etant lui-même dans la galère, seule excuse qu'il puisse pour trouver.
(Coro)
The lyrics of Saïan Supa Crew's "Que dit-on" address the issue of drug dealing and its impact on society. The chorus questions what is said and done when a drug dealer sells drugs around town, and suggests that often people turn a blind eye and allow the dealer to continue their business without interference. The verses delve deeper into the issue, describing how the dealer's actions harm the vulnerable youth in society and how the drug trade leaves lasting damage on victims.
One of the rappers, Samuel, describes how the drug dealer profits from easy money but leaves indelible scars on those who fall into addiction. The imagery of white powder floating in the air presents a chilling picture of how drugs have infiltrated society, and how a single dose can be fatal. The rapper argues that society must decide whether to remain silent or send all dealers to hell. However, until a decision is made, one cannot ignore the pervasive presence of drugs in everyday life.
Leeroy continues the theme of the lyrics by suggesting that drug dealers have no intention of stopping their trade and will continue to sell drugs to make money, as they too are in a desperate situation. The lyrics describe how the drug dealer's customers become victims of addiction, and with every dose, their souls become emptier. The chorus concludes by reminding listeners that while people close their eyes to drug dealing, it's often the dealer's own children who fall victim to the same addiction.
Overall, the song highlights the grim reality of drug dealing and how it harms individuals, families, and society at large. The lyrics question the complicity of individuals who turn a blind eye to this issue while proposing that it's time for action.
Line by Line Meaning
Mais que dit-on quand un dealer de drogue dure deale? (x2)
What do we say when a hard drug dealer deals? (x2)
On ferme les yeux et on le laisse faire son bizness tranquille
We close our eyes and let him do his business quietly.
Et on les ouvre quand il concerne son fils ou sa fille
And we open them when it concerns his son or daughter.
Et il deale, deale, sa drogue dans la ville
And he deals, deals, his drugs in the city.
Les jeunes au bord du gouffre qui souffrent sont les premières victimes,
The youth on the brink who suffer, are the first victims.
Et il deale, deale, se faisant d'l'argent facile
And he deals, dealing, making easy money.
Laissant sur les bras de ses victimes des traces indélébiles.
Leaving indelible marks on the arms of his victims.
La poudre blanche flotte dans l'atmosphère
White powder floats in the air.
A traversé la mer et forcé nos frontières
It crossed the sea and forced our borders.
Il suffit d'une dose pour que l'étau se resserre.
One dose is all it takes for the grip to tighten.
Faut-il ou non se taire ou envoyer tous les dealers griller en enfer?
Should we stay silent or send all the dealers to burn in hell?
Mais en attendant que dit-on, mais que dit-on,
But in the meantime what do we say, what do we say,
Quand un dealer de drogue dure deale?
When a hard drug dealer deals?
Roule en B.M. posant des bombes blanches dans la ville
Driving around in a BMW, dropping white bombs in the city.
Le pire c'est qu'il se fait la malle,
The worst part is he gets away with it,
Ne fais pas l'erreur de tomber dans ce vice.
Don't make the mistake of falling into this vice.
Tout le monde est au courant, la mairie ainsi que la police, fils.
Everyone knows, the town hall and the police, my son.
Comme le dit Gyver, c'est à nous de stopper le génocide.
As Gyver says, it's up to us to stop the genocide.
Nous sommes des " deejays " militants,
We are militant 'deejays',
Face à la drogue, nous sommes restés lucides.
Faced with drugs, we have remained clear-headed.
Toxicoman, je m'adresse à toi, je serai la cause de tes insomnies
Drug addict, I'm talking to you, I will be the cause of your insomnia.
Mais je préfère te prévenir avant l'autopsie
But I prefer to warn you before the autopsy.
Tu me stoppes si j'ai tort, si t'as souri au produit interdit (x2)
You stop me if I'm wrong, if you've smiled at the forbidden product (x2),
C'est que tu n'aimes pas ta vie (x2)
It's because you don't love your life (x2).
Pas la moindre pitié, pas la moindre intention d's'arrêter,
No mercy, no intention of stopping,
Pas la moindre occasion de dire stop face à la drogue et ses nombreux billets.
No opportunity to say stop in the face of drugs and their numerous bills.
Le dealer deale encore plus pour prendre de la monnaie étant
The dealer deals even more to make money, being
Lui-même dans la galère, seule excuse qu'il puisse pour trouver.
Himself in trouble, the only excuse he can find.
(Coro)
Writer(s): Arnaud Pierre Joel Codet, Cedric Jean Belise, Silvere Johnson, Samuel Babatunde Adebiyi, Georges Gaston Jeannot, Mehdi Felicite, Fabien Vincent Philetas, Khalid Dehbi, Gerard Desire Nubul
Contributed by Makayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.