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 album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.
Cono
Salif Keita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
badala cono djon dou kayer
cono djon lou kassi la?
siradala cono djon lou kagner
cono djon lou kassi la?
koulou sanfai cono djon lou kagner
coyer cono, cono m'nalè moufô ne mana djoukou yala soro dela mou mandi djoucouyer? X2
djoukou gna o gna mogo djoucou la mogo te gnoumafô ikô(ehh nadia cônô ehhh)
koyer cono, cono m'nale mou fo nema djoukou yala soro tena mou mandi i djoukouyer X2
ehh na digna cono ehhh
ohh dounia gna mina ohhh nadigna cono ehh
ni wari bi bolo, wari kailer sara
The song "Cono" by Salif Keita is a perfect example of the traditional Mandingue music genre from Mali. The song speaks about the challenges of life and the human quest for meaning and purpose. The lyrics are in Mandingue, one of the most widely spoken languages in West Africa. The refrain "cono djon lou kassi la?" asks the question "who is the one that always wins?"
The first verse "badala cono djon dou kayer" means "if it's not me, who will make it happen?" The second verse "siradala cono djon lou kagner" means "if it's not me, who will make the world better?" The third verse "koulou sanfai cono djon lou kagner" means "if it's not me, who will bring peace to the world?" The chorus "coyer cono, cono m'nalè moufô ne mana djoukou yala soro dela mou mandi djoucouyer?" is a rhetorical question that means "wherever I go, whoever I meet, will I find happiness?"
Line by Line Meaning
cono djon lou kassi la?
What is wrong with me?
badala cono djon dou kayer
Perhaps I should go on a journey to find myself.
siradala cono djon lou kagner
I am lost and do not know where I am going.
koulou sanfai cono djon lou kagner
I am wandering aimlessly and feeling hopeless.
coyer cono, cono m'nalè moufô ne mana djoukou yala soro dela mou mandi djoucouyer? X2
Why am I suffering? Is it because of something I did in the past?
djoukou gna o gna mogo djoucou la mogo te gnoumafô ikô(ehh nadia cônô ehhh)
I am crying out for help, hoping someone will hear me and help me find my way.
djoukou nou coumai mogo djoucoula môgô te gnouma fô ikô X2
I am searching for peace and understanding in this world.
koyer cono, cono m'nale mou fo nema djoukou yala soro tena mou mandi i djoukouyer X2
I am trying to overcome my struggles and find a way to move forward.
ehh na digna cono ehhh
I am in pain and need help to heal.
ohh dounia gna mina ohhh nadigna cono ehh
The world is full of suffering, and I am just another victim.
ni wari bi bolo, wari kailer sara
No matter what happens, I will keep moving forward and never give up.
Writer(s): KEITA SALIF
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nikobanton9340
Que Allah protège toutes les victimes des ragots des comerages de on dit. Qu'Allah fasse que cesse les gens qui détruisent les gens justes par leur mauvaises langues en racontant ce qui n'est pas vrai et en interprétant en mal la non perfection de la création Seul Dieu est Parfait
@libvlog2264
West - East, North - South, Salif's 🐐.
@nikobanton9340
Qu'Allah libère les victimes des injustement punis accusés de faux qui sont enfermés dans les prisons dans les hôpitaux psychiatriques ou ailleurs 🙏🏻
@nikobanton9340
Qu'Allah viennent en aide aux personnes victimes du système qui divise pour mieux régner et prendre contrôle de nos enfants de nous epoux et épouses🙏🏼
@user-xd5jb1cs1n
Ok merci beaucoup
@nathaliesorho5294
Un grand classique intemporel ❤
@DD-id7nn
L’une des plus belles chansons maliennes
@moussadembele3371
Belle chanson vraiment, j'ai adoré
@maimounaouedraogo6238
Mon artiste préféré. J'aime trop cette chanson ❤
@anamaid
J'ai cherché cette chanson des années. J'avais juste le refrain et la mélodie en tête. Je ne connaissais pas le titre. Aujourd'hui, j'ai touché au graal musical. C'est est un pur bonheur !