He was outcast by his family & ostracized by the community, because he was an albino - a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. In 1967, he left Djoliba for Bamako, where he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako (aka Super Rail Band). In 1973, Keita joined the group Les Ambassadeurs. Keita and Les Ambassadeurs fled political unrest in Mali during the mid-1970s for Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire & changed the group's name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationales rose to the international level in the 1970s and in 1977 Keita received a National Order award from the president of Guinea, Sékou Touré.
Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita's work include balafon, djembe, guitar, kora, organ, saxophone, and synthesizer.
His latest album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.
This 'Bio' is copied from the Salif Keita page. Apparently there is question about the correct spelling of his name (with single or double dotted i).
Moussolou
Salif Keïta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allah nôlé woyi
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou
Allah nôlé
Allah nôlé oooh
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah makoté
Komatessi yé fini mi danla kokan fêrobô, Seydou toro karala
Bogolan djama yé fini mi dan na lo wo lof o kadi bèyé, Seydou toro karala
Guéssé dan na lou guéssé mi dan na lo o lo no kadi bèyé Seydou toro karala
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafimoussolou sapélé ko
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafimoussolou sapélé ko
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
Awa kignèrô den ni djon kakan?
Alphadi yarabini mo mankan!
Assa kignèrô dan ni djon kakan?
Mangara filani gnon ni mo makan
Alé lé, alé lo karala, Seydou lé, Seydou lé gogolan jupou lou karala djama yé
Alé lé, alé lo karala, ngo Seydou lé, Seydou lé robou youman lou karala djama yé
Iyan fêro to, Seydou yan ferôto to, iyan to iyé djéliden missènou fero to to
An gnadji to, djama bè gnadji to ko fo, an bè ko anou farafidenou gnadji to ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou dogora
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
The lyrics to Salif Keita's song "Moussolou" are primarily in Bambara, with some phrases in Fula and Arabic. The song is a call for justice and equality, with the repeated phrase "Allah nôlé" (God hears us) imploring a higher power to listen to the oppressed. The lyrics mention the injustices faced by different groups, including women ("allah lé fama," God is with the women) and those who are powerless ("allah sa menfou," God is our only hope). The lyrics also mention specific people, including Seydou Toro and Alphadi, both fashion designers from Mali, and Mangara Filani, a historical figure known for fighting against enslavement in West Africa.
The refrain of the song, "an bè sapé lé," roughly translates to "let us dress well" or "let us adorn ourselves," suggesting that even in the face of oppression, people can maintain their dignity through personal expression. The mention of bogolan djama, a traditional Malian fabric dyed with mud, highlights the importance of cultural heritage in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Moussolou" is a powerful plea for justice and a celebration of resilience in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Allah nôlé
God help us
Allah nôlé woyi
God help us, please
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou
God is just, God is fair, God is our refuge
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah makoté
God is just, God is fair, God is with us
Ngo allah makotala
God is always present
Komatessi yé fini mi danla kokan fêrobô, Seydou toro karala
The hunter went out into the bush to catch game, Seydou assists him
Bogolan djama yé fini mi dan na lo wo lof o kadi bèyé, Seydou toro karala
The Bogolan maker made cloth on the loom, Seydou assists him
Guéssé dan na lou guéssé mi dan na lo o lo no kadi bèyé Seydou toro karala
The blacksmith pounded iron on the anvil, Seydou assists him
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafimoussolou sapélé ko
I will dress well, the others will dress well too, we will all go out to dance happily
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafitchèlou sapélé ko
I will dress well, the others will dress well too, we will all go out to celebrate happily
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi
Seydou plays the balafon and sings, Seydou sings nicely
Chris Seydou Seydou koussatala
Chris, Seydou's brother, sings along
Awa kignèrô den ni djon kakan?
Why can't the griot sing anymore?
Alphadi yarabini mo mankan!
Alphadi has money, leave me alone!
Assa kignèrô dan ni djon kakan?
Why can't the female griot sing anymore?
Mangara filani gnon ni mo makan
Mangara, the Fulani griot, is my friend
Alé lé, alé lo karala, Seydou lé, Seydou lé gogolan jupou lou karala djama yé
Let's go, let's dance, Seydou plays the drum and we will all dance happily
Alé lé, alé lo karala, ngo Seydou lé, Seydou lé robou youman lou karala djama yé
Let's go, let's dance, and Seydou plays the balafon and we will all dance happily
Iyan fêro to, Seydou yan ferôto to, iyan to iyé djéliden missènou fero to to
The millet is cooked, Seydou removes it from the fire, it is very hot
An gnadji to, djama bè gnadji to ko fo, an bè ko anou farafidenou gnadji to ko
I will finish my work, the others will finish their work too, we will all come out to enjoy ourselves
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou dogora
Seydou plays the balafon and sings, Seydou sings cheerfully
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora man
Chris, Seydou's brother, sings along joyfully
Chris Seydou Seydou dogora
Chris, Seydou's brother, sings cheerfully
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Manfila Kante, Salif Keita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlesmunyua4762
Who else is Listening to this masterpiece in 2024. Music is for sure a universal language! Big love from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪
@realisateursenami
Big love from Benin
@chirubhai71
I am. In Bengaluru. India. We are humans.. blood. Red.
@rodolfomadeira7256
The year is 2024 and I'm listening to this master piece. Love from Angola🇦🇴
@kebadinake5161
U just got to love 💗 Africa, if u don’t know u can’t understand 😢with tonnes of love ❤from Botswana
@souadouBarry-kb3up
Éqieso a 2
@elkass444
You are welcome to Mali 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@wavetvsenegal6296
Qui réécouter cela 2024 🎉depuis le Sénégal 🇸🇳
@paleraluswinga
I love this Uncle...what a Gem! I don't understand a word but I love him🇿🇦
@loseneakamara1286
I understand this is my language, This is all about thanking the beautiful mothers around the world, no matter what difficult it's your mother is your mother