During his career, Tabu Ley composed up to 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums.
Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu was born in Bagata, in the then Belgian Congo. His musical career took off in 1956 when he sung with Joseph "Le Grand Kallé" Kabasele, and his band L'African Jazz. After finishing high school he joined the band as a full-time musician. Tabu Ley sang in the pan-African hit Indépendance Cha Cha which was composed by Grand Kallé for Congolese independence from Belgium in 1960, propelling Tabu Ley to instant fame. He remained with African Jazz until 1963 when he and Dr Nico Kasanda formed their own group, African Fiesta.[6] Two years later, Tabu Ley and Dr. Nico split and Tabu Ley formed African Fiesta National, also known as African Fiesta Flash. The group became one of the most successful bands in African history, recording African classics like Afrika Mokili Mobimba, and surpassing record sales of one million copies by 1970. Papa Wemba and Sam Mangwana were among the many influential musicians that were part of the group. He adopted the stage name "Rochereau" after the French General Pierre Denfert-Rochereau, whose name he liked and whom he had studied in school.
In 1970, Tabu Ley formed Orchestre Afrisa International, Afrisa being a combination of Africa and Éditions Isa, his record label. Along with Franco Luambo's TPOK Jazz, Afrisa was now one of Africa's greatest bands. They recorded hits such as "Sorozo", "Kaful Mayay", "Aon Aon", and "Mose Konzo". They performed also at the Zaire 74 and therefore are in the documentary film Soul Power.
In the mid 1980s Tabu Ley discovered a young talented singer and dancer, M'bilia Bel, who helped popularise his band further. M'bilia Bel became the first female soukous singer to gain acclaim throughout Africa. Tabu Ley and M'bilia Bel later married and had one child together. In 1988 Tabu Ley introduced another female vocalist known as Faya Tess, and M'bilia Bel left and continued to be successful on her own. After M'bilia Bel's departure, Afrisa's influence along with that of their rivals TPOK Jazz continued to wane as fans gravitated toward the faster version of soukous.
After the establishment of Mobutu Sese Seko regime in the Congo, he adopted the name "Tabu Ley" as part of Mobutu's "Zairization" of the country, but later went into exile in France in 1988.
In 1985, the Government of Kenya banned all foreign music from the National Radio service. After Tabu Ley composed the song "Twende Nairobi" ("Let's go to Nairobi"), sung by M'bilia Bel, in praise of Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi, the ban was promptly lifted. In the early 1990s he briefly settled in Southern California. He began to tailor his music towards an International audience by including more English lyrics and by increasing more international dance styles such as Samba. He found success with the release of albums such as Muzina, Exil Ley, Africa worldwide and Babeti soukous. The Mobutu regime banned his 1990 album "Trop, C'est Trop" as subversive. In 1996, Tabu Ley participated in the album Gombo Salsa by the salsa music project Africando. The song "Paquita" from that album is a remake of a song that he recorded in the late 1960s with African Fiesta.
When Mobutu was deposed in 1997, Tabu Ley returned to Kinshasa and took up a position as a cabinet minister in the government of new President Laurent Kabila. Following Kabila's death, Tabu Ley then joined the appointed transitional parliament created by Joseph Kabila, until it was dissolved following the establishment of the inclusive transitional institutions. In November 2005 Tabu Ley was appointed Vice-Governor of Kinshasa, a position devolved to his party, the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) by the 2002 peace agreements. He also served as provincial minister of culture. In 2008, he was said to have fathered up to 102 children, including the French rapper Youssoupha, with different women.
He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history." He was dubbed "the African Elvis" by the Los Angeles Times.
Tabu Ley Rochereau died on 30 November 2013, aged 76, at Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels, Belgium where he had been undergoing treatment for a stroke he suffered in 2008. He was buried on 9 December 2013 in the Cimetière Acropolic de la N'sele in Kinshasa, DR Congo, after receiving an official mourning ceremony at the Palais du Peuple.
Caroline Mama
Tabu Ley Rochereau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aur dhundhta dil roshni andheri raahon mein
Tadpe hai aatma janey na kisliye
Kyu bey-khabar is bata se Yeshu hai sang there
Intezaar karta hai Yeshu
Apney khule haathon se
Deta tumko who Aashirwaad
Jaaney woh sabka gham jo pyasa pyaar ka
Aur jaaney woh us dil ka gham Jo dhundey asra
Utha nazar aur dekhle ab dil ki aankhon se
Pukarta hai woh tujhe apni he bahon mein
Intezaar karta hai Yeshu
Apney khule haathon se
Deta tumko who Aashirwaad
Aur prem se bharta hamein
The lyrics of Tabu Ley Rochereau's song Caroline Mama convey a message of hope and faith in difficult times. The first verse talks about how life is full of challenges and when one is feeling lost and alone, they search for a ray of light to guide them through the darkness. The second line talks about the soul being in agony, not knowing why it is suffering, and seeking solace in the fact that Jesus is always there. The word "bey-khabar" implies a sense of helplessness and desperation.
The chorus talks about how Jesus is waiting with open arms to bless us and fill us with love. He is the source of comfort and strength in times of need. The third verse talks about how everyone experiences the pain of unfulfilled love, and how only by looking into our own hearts can we find solace. We are then reminded that Jesus calls us into his embrace, where we can find peace and love.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God during difficult times. It is a reminder that no matter how dark the night may seem, there is always hope and light on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Tanha jeevan mein jab aati hai mushkilein
When difficulties come in a lonely life
Aur dhundhta dil roshni andheri raahon mein
And the heart looks for light in dark paths
Tadpe hai aatma janey na kisliye
The soul agonizes not knowing why
Kyu bey-khabar is bata se Yeshu hai sang there
Why unaware of the fact that Jesus is there with us
Intezaar karta hai Yeshu
Jesus waits
Apney khule haathon se
With his open hands
Deta tumko who Aashirwaad
He blesses you
Aur prem se bharta hamein
And fills us with love
Jaaney woh sabka gham jo pyasa pyaar ka
He knows everyone's sorrow who longs for love
Aur jaaney woh us dil ka gham Jo dhundey asra
And he knows the sorrow of the heart that seeks refuge
Utha nazar aur dekhle ab dil ki aankhon se
Lift your gaze and see through the eyes of your heart
Pukarta hai woh tujhe apni he bahon mein
He calls you into his own arms
Intezaar karta hai Yeshu
Jesus waits
Apney khule haathon se
With his open hands
Deta tumko who Aashirwaad
He blesses you
Aur prem se bharta hamein
And fills us with love
Writer(s): Rochereau
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pedromanuel6170
If people come looking for me
I will not hide the fact: tell them where I’m gone
I am headed behind the man that I love
Troubled as I am by foolish cogitations
Jules has said that he will leave me
The news has spread throughout Kin(shasa)
All he is trying to do is humiliate me
He knows for sure that I don’t love him
If I show up at his house
He is aware of the pains he’s gone through and the money he’s spent
He seems to forget the way I make (him) cry
So that he keeps sending messages (up to ten times in a single day)
The man who fills me with thoughts
Is a student in Europe, ô hear!
Today he’s decided to humiliate me
And I, Carô, poor child, have gone to kill myself
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye, she’s left a suicide note
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye, she’s opted for the grave
@pedromanuel6170
Soki bayei koluka ngai
Ngai nakobomba te lakisa nzela ngai nake(yi)
Ngai nalandi mobali nalingaka
Nazali kominyokola na bapensées yazoba
Jules alobi akoboya ngai
Sango epanzani na Kin mobimba
Aluki kaka mpo asambwisa ngai
Ayebi na malamu nalingaka ye te
Soki nakomi na ndako na ye
Ayebi bampasi na bambongo abebisi
Abungi motindo ngai nalelisaka
Mpo te atinda na mokolo délégations zomi
Mobali akopesaka ngai makanisi
Azalaka étudiant na Poto bandeko
Mokolo ya lel’oyo asambwisa ngai
Ngai Carô mwan’a bato nakeyi komiboma
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye atiki testament
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye aponi lilita
@pmbalele
This one starts like Libongo, but strays somewhere in the heavens. Excellent voices.
@pedromanuel6170
If people come looking for me
I will not hide the fact: tell them where I’m gone
I am headed behind the man that I love
Troubled as I am by foolish cogitations
Jules has said that he will leave me
The news has spread throughout Kin(shasa)
All he is trying to do is humiliate me
He knows for sure that I don’t love him
If I show up at his house
He is aware of the pains he’s gone through and the money he’s spent
He seems to forget the way I make (him) cry
So that he keeps sending messages (up to ten times in a single day)
The man who fills me with thoughts
Is a student in Europe, ô hear!
Today he’s decided to humiliate me
And I, Carô, poor child, have gone to kill myself
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye, she’s left a suicide note
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye, she’s opted for the grave
@alybadrastraoretrawally4327
MERCI A TOUS LES TROIS QUI ONT MARQUE MA GENERATION, BIEN QU'ETANT MOI-MEME ORIGINAIRE D'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST, ET MUSICIEN A MON JEUNE AGE. MERCI;:TABU LEY, GRTAND KALLE, et LUAMBO MAKIADI alias FRANCO
@carolinenemabiama1725
je viens juste de prendre connaissance de cette magnifique chanson...merci !!!
@MultiRodrique
Cette chanson se trouve dans le premier album 33 tours ou 30 cm de la musique congolaise moderne.Dans lequel on trouvait des chansons telles que Mokrano,Pic nic ya n'sele,mon mari est capable,Marie jeanne,Kashala.Belle Abidjan.. Au chant:Ley,Ndombe et Karé.Solo de Mbumba Atel que des souvenirs
@ruthlosambola3100
Vous avez raison mon frère, c'était de la bonne musique, dans laquelle on pouvait puiser quelques choses...
Bravo Seigneur Ley de tristes memoires.
@alybadrastraoretrawally4327
MERVEILLEUX ROSSIGNOL D' AFRIQUE, CE NOM TE VA SI BIEN. A PRESENT TU AS DE QUOI BERCER TOUS LES ANGES LA-HAUT POUR L'ETERNITE. MERCI SEIGNEUR!
@sncbanjikilabeya4276
c'était une epoque douce dans ma ville kinshasa
@martinmcarvajal
I need the lyrics please
@pedromanuel6170
Soki bayei koluka ngai
Ngai nakobomba te lakisa nzela ngai nake(yi)
Ngai nalandi mobali nalingaka
Nazali kominyokola na bapensées yazoba
Jules alobi akoboya ngai
Sango epanzani na Kin mobimba
Aluki kaka mpo asambwisa ngai
Ayebi na malamu nalingaka ye te
Soki nakomi na ndako na ye
Ayebi bampasi na bambongo abebisi
Abungi motindo ngai nalelisaka
Mpo te atinda na mokolo délégations zomi
Mobali akopesaka ngai makanisi
Azalaka étudiant na Poto bandeko
Mokolo ya lel’oyo asambwisa ngai
Ngai Carô mwan’a bato nakeyi komiboma
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye atiki testament
O Caroline mama yeye mama yeyeye
O Caroline mama ye aponi lilita