Tiken Jah was born into a family of griots and christened Doumbia Moussa Fakoly on June 23, 1968 in Odienne, north-western Côte d'Ivoire. He discovered reggae at an early age, assembling his first group, Djelys, in 1987. He became well-known at a regional level, but would soon ascend to national recognition.
Concerned by the social and political evolution of his country, it was not long before Tiken Jah was writing incisive works on the political environment in Côte d'Ivoire. One such work was on the death of Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993, which resulted in a surge of popularity amongst the nation's youth. In 1998, Fakoly made his first international appearance in Paris.
Tiken Jah Fakoly plays music "to wake up the consciences". His music speaks about many injustices done to the people of his country, and those over Africa. As such, African listeners feel a deep affinity with his lyrics as Fakoly speaks for people whom are under oppression. This connection has helped make Tiken Jah Fakoly a much-listened artist throughout both Europe and Africa.
Discography
1. 1993: Les Djelys (cassette only - discontinued)
2. 1994: Missiri (cassette only - discontinued)
3. 1996: Mangercratie
4. 1999: Cours d'histoire
5. 2000: Le Cameleon (exclusive to West Africa)
6. 2002: Françafrique (a term coined by Francois Xavier-Verschave)
7. 2004: Coup de gueule
8. 2005: Africa wants to be free, compilation to support fr:Survie (association)
NOTE: Mangercratie was released in France in 1999 and in Canada in 2000. Cours d'histoire was released in France in 2000 and in Canada in 2001. The first two albums were only released in Côte d'Ivoire.
Outside Projects
Tiken Jah Fakoly has recorded various tracks with other artists. He is featured on Steel Pulse: African Holocaust, on Rike: Airt Frais, on Bernard Laviliers: Carnet De Bord, on Amadou & Marima: Dimanche A Bamaco, on Dub Incorporation: Life, and on Tata Pound: Cikan. He also appears on the compilation African Consiences with Mebgane N'Dour. He will be featured in the upcoming movie Les Oiseaux Du Ciel, directed by Eliane De Latour.
Awards:
2003: Victoires de la Musique 2003, in the category of Reggae Album/Ragga/World with the album Françafrique.
Allah
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
Allah Kason, mbé môgô lou son
ni Alla ka nson, mbé hinin môgô lou la
Nafolo ma gni; nafolo ma gni
n'go na ma kê mi koun,
ka béna môgô lou son
na ma kê mi fê, yé o kan mé
kona ka dô sôrô, ka béna môgô lou son
o'ka dô sôrô, o yé tounou o yé tounou an ma
n'go o té yé na tugu, bafolo ma gni
nafalo ma gni.
Allah yé zon, gné môgô luo son
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
Allah Kason, mbé môgô lou son
ni Alla ka nson, mbé hinin môgô lou la
Nafolo ma gni; nafolo ma gni
n'go na ma kê mi koun,
yé o kan mé, ko na ka dô sôrô
ka béna môgô lou son
na ma kê mi fê, yé o kan mé
kona ka dô sôrô, ka béna môgô lou son
o'ka dô sôrô, o yé tounou o yé tounou an ma
n'go o té yé na tugu, bafolo ma gni
nafalo ma gni.
Allah yé zon, gné môgô luo son
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
Allah Kason, mbé môgô lou son
ni Alla ka nson, mbé hinin môgô lou la
Bana baga tô ou do
Allah yé zon, gné hinin môgô lou la
n'go an gna férétani ou do
Allah yé zon, gné hinin môgô lou la
jan garo tô ou do
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
an gna yatima ou tara miii do
Alla ye zon, gne hinin môgô luo la
Allah yé zon, gné môgô luo son
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
Allah Kason, mbé môgô lou son
ni Alla ka nson, mbé hinin môgô lou la
The song "Allah" by Tiken Jah Fakoly is a tribute to Allah, the Islamic God, and speaks about the importance of spirituality and hope in times of difficulty. The song's first verse speaks directly to Allah, asking for his guidance and protection, for the sake of the singer's son and for all people. The chorus repeats this sentiment, reinforcing the idea that Allah is the ultimate protector.
The second and third verses use the metaphor of a river, with the singer asking for the river to guide him through the difficulties of life. The repetition of "nafolo ma gni" emphasizes the idea that no matter what obstacles come their way, they will keep moving forward with the help and guidance of Allah. In the final verse, the singer implores Allah to help those who are without homes, who are alone, who are orphans, and who are in difficult circumstances.
Overall, "Allah" is a powerful song that speaks to the importance of spirituality and hope in times of hardship. It is a reminder to the audience to turn to their faith and to trust in a higher power to guide them through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Allah yé zon, gné môgô luo son
Allah is great, the children are His creation
Allah yé zon, hinin môgô luo la
Allah is great, the girl child is His creation
Allah Kason, mbé môgô lou son
Allah is gracious, the children are His creation
ni Alla ka nson, mbé hinin môgô lou la
And Allah is merciful, the girl child is His creation
Nafolo ma gni; nafolo ma gni
I have nothing; I have nothing
n'go na ma kê mi koun, yé o kan mé, ko na ka dô sôrô ka béna môgô lou son
I don't have even a penny, I'm in a state of misery, I don't even have food, that's how poor I am.
na ma kê mi fê, yé o kan mé, kona ka dô sôrô, ka béna môgô lou son
I have no clothes to wear, I'm in a state of misery, that's how poor I am.
o'ka dô sôrô, o yé tounou o yé tounou an ma n'go o té yé na tugu, bafolo ma gni, nafalo ma gni.
I'm in a miserable state and I'm crying desperately. I don't have any help, I'm poor, I have nothing.
Bana baga tô ou do
Everyone should listen to me
Allah yé zon, gné hinin môgô lou la
Allah is great, the girl child is His creation
n'go an gna férétani ou do
And I have a message to deliver
jan garo tô ou do
I beg you to listen to me
an gna yatima ou tara miii do
I have come to speak for the orphans
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@piponegros4618
Traduction donnée par l'artiste:
Comble-moi Allah !
Et je serai généreux.
Qu il me comble,
Et je serai plein de compassion !
Si Allah me comble de richesses,
Je la partagerai.
S il me rend riche,
J aurai pitié de mes semblables
L argent ça craint !
Quand on n en a pas,
On promet d être généreux ;
Le v ux une fois exaucé,
Ils se planquent avec,
Ils jouent à cache-cache.
L argent est mauvais maître !
Si Allah me comble d un bien,
Je répandrai le bien,
Qu il le fasse et je serais généreux
Avec tous les gens dans le besoin.
Que fait-on des malades ?
Que fait-on des malheureux ?
Que fait-on des orphelins ?
Comble-moi de richesses, Allah !
Et je te montrerai combien je suis généreux
En la partageant avec ceux qui n en ont pas !
Tiken Jah Fakoly.
@diallomadiou104
À chaque fois que je l’écoute, je pense à mon cher ami d’enfance et camarde de l’école! Qu’Allah te bénisse Sacko Sylla, longue vie et j’espère te revoir. In sha allah❤❤❤
@konzagaapollinairecoulibal8920
Tiken Jah, tes chansons font pleurer inh. Tu as tellement dit vrai qu'on aurait cru que tu es partout. Tu es un dur sincèrement
@ruidasilvamartins
Oh mon dieu cette chanson !
Le rythme est si beau, sa voix est si douce ! et les choeurs, elles chantent super bien !
je me souviens avoir versé la larme quand je l'ai decouverte ! ^^
One of the best reggae song E-V-E-R !!
Thank you for all, TIKEN JAH FAKOLY, <3 you forever !
@NathalieArche
ON NE PEUX QUE PLEURER E N ECOUTANT TIKEN IL EST TOUCHANT EMOUVANT JE L ADORE
@bogbejose2614
J'ai réécoute cette dans des moments assez difficiles. Ça m'a redonné du moral.
Mettons Dieu au devant de tous ce que nous faisons.
@lydiajohn4602
I'm very happy when i hear this song 🎵 sometime i feel joy and want to cry 😢because that song it's to be but why there's still war in this planet... oh Lord have mercy on us....
Thankiu Tiken...for this powerful song
@alibenkhalaf398
Il sait tout ce qui se passe dans les Cieux et sur la Terre. Allah est le Plus doux au-delà de toute douceur, Le Plus Aimant au-delà de tout amour, Il nous a donné tout ce que nous possédons, Il nous donne l'eau , la nourriture, la lumière, l'air, et tout ce dont nous avons besoin pour vivre sur cette terre jusqu'à notre mort.
Il nous a donné un esprit et un cœur afin d'évaluer combien nous Lui en sommes reconnaissants en L'adorant et en Lui obéissant.
@ibrahimaseydi5596
MACHALLAH !
@mangoswishersweets
Allah y barek fik pour ce beau texte ... Allah yzidek akhi... qu'ils nous sortent de la merde... je prie pour nos frères
... IRAK, PALESTINE, BIRMANIE,
Tous ceux qui subissent l'impérialisme de l'amérique et l'Occident.
@ibrahimaseydi5596
Ali Ben KHalaf Machallah !
merci infiniment !!!