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.
Souvent
Salif Keita Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O laka lamma le
O laka lamma le dja
O laka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le dja
Se jolaka lamma le
O laka lamma le
O laka lamma le dja
O laka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le
Se jolaka lamma le dja
Se jolaka lamma le
Ay ihe geba geta singurna, yeah
Ilina in a nara sa
Oh, oh
Ili la serna najih neja
Ilina ina nara
Ilina ina nara sa
Ili la serna najih neja
Ilina ina nara
A sid la nemma ra do m′sebbe toggorro no yee
Tama yoo pabba yo
A sid la nemma ra do m'sebbe toggorro no yee m′o
Tama yoo o' pabba ho fago pib'ee
Ori tali ma je′ye
Ori tali ma je′ye
Ori tali ma je'ye
Ori tali ma je′ye
Ori tali ma
Salif Keita's song Souvent is a composition that speaks about longing and reminiscing. The lyrics in the chorus, "O laka lamma le, Se jolaka lamma le," are in Mandinka, and they translate to "I will never forget you, On the day that I forget you." This shows that the singer has someone or something that he misses and wants to hold on to, and he is afraid to forget them. He further talks about the memories they shared, and how he cherishes them, "Ay ihe geba geta singurna," and how they will always hold a special place in his heart, "Ili la serna najih neja."
In the verse, "A sid la nemma ra do m'sebe toggorro no yee," Salif Keita is using the Malian Bambara language to say that he is in a state of confusion and does not know where to turn. However, he is very much aware that he is not alone in his struggles, and he continues to find ways to hold on, "Tama yoo pabba yo, Tama yoo o' pabba ho fago pib'ee."
The song as a whole is a beautiful blend of West African musical styles, characterized by its gentle melody and soulful lyrics. The use of different West African languages, like Mandinka and Bambara, also adds depth to the song and cultural diversity. In summary, Souvent by Salif Keita portrays the universal human emotions of longing, love, and the desire to hold on to memories and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
O laka lamma le
I dance and shake my body
O laka lamma le dja
I dance and shake my body now
Se jolaka lamma le
I am always dancing and shaking my body
Se jolaka lamma le dja
I am always dancing and shaking my body now
Ay ihe geba geta singurna, yeah
I feel the rhythm and the beat, yeah
Ilina in a nara sa
The sound of the music enters me
Ili la serna najih neja
It takes over my body and soul
A sid la nemma ra do m′sebbe toggorro no yee
I forget my worries and let myself be carried away by the music
Tama yoo pabba yo
I dance with joy and happiness
A sid la nemma ra do m'sebbe toggorro no yee m′o
I forget my worries and let myself be carried away by the music now
Tama yoo o' pabba ho fago pib'ee
I dance and move my body with the rhythm
Ori tali ma je′ye
I let myself be free and dance
Writer(s): Salif Keita, Kante Manfila
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nanfinadiakite9397
qui écoute encore 💖💖💖🙏🙏🙏🙏
@mohameddonzo721
The best musician I ever see in my life
@ATESOGLU-fs2ww
Senin Yaşadığın Yerde Bu Yaptığın Parçaları Hissederek Yaşamak İsterdim. Of Salif baba of. Süper değil ötesi. Bir şarkıyı anlamadan dinlemek ve onun sürüklediği duygularla hayaller kurmak.
@mahamanemaiga3543
❤merci Salif ❤😊
@angoulvan3167
Les mots me manques papa salif tes chansons à même à cogiter.si tu écoutes les chansons de papa salif keite que tu esméchant hypocrite
@dorco99
I'm English I have no idea what he's singing about but it sounds beautiful
@user-vf4li4hw3b
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@diallosogbe9969
J'adore tellement cette chanson
@maimounacisse6380
musique très douce et appaisante.
@rachelmomo4267
douce music sa me rappelle mon mariage