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.
Alpha Conde
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kasso téna fohi kiira
Alou milon léhé baba
Alou milon
Alou ma' lon
Alou ma' l on
Ku' i ya lou' la kélé lé la
Alou ma' lon
Alpha Condé !
Kasso té' na fohi kira
Alou mi' ilon lé hé hé hé hé hé baba
Alou ma' lon
Ali' i' ma kouma loufé baba
Mô yé kouman la tougnin lé fé
Djanva djougou mi dona' ima hé
Allah lé béna o' kiti tégué lon dô
Ali' i ma kouma lou' fe baba
Mô yé kouman là tougné lé fé
Djanra djugou mi dona imahé
Allah lé béna o' kiti tégué lon do
Alpha Condé !
Mandéla yi' i fora
Amadou Toumani ko kan gnifo
Afriki démocrates lou bi fora
Alpha Condé !
Conakry ka' lou ko kangni fo
Kankan ka' lou ko kangni fo
La Guinée jeunesse yi i fora hé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez Alpha Condé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez Alpha Condé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez
Alpha Condé !
Ala bantô tougné léman
Alpha Condé !
Allah béna tougné démin
Alpha Condé !
Niko alabantô tougné léma
Alpha Condé !
Allah béna tougné démé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez Alpha Condé !
Tiken Jah Fakoly's song "Alpha Conde" is a message of solidarity, a plea for the release of the imprisoned Guinean opposition politician, Alpha Conde. The lyrics, sung in a mix of French, Dioula, and Malinké, call on Guineans to unite behind the cause of Conde's freedom. The song speaks to the role of the state in repression, the courage of political prisoners, and the power of people standing together in pursuit of justice.
The chorus of the song is a repeated call to "liberate Alpha Conde," which is followed by verses that lament the conditions of imprisonment and the broader political realities that lead to Conde's incarceration. The lyrics address the language barriers that divide Guineans, calling on them to come together in their shared struggle against authoritarianism. The song references other African leaders who fought for democracy and freedom, such as Nelson Mandela and Amadou Toumani Toure, as examples of how resistance can bear fruit.
In many ways, "Alpha Conde" is a call to action. With its upbeat tempo, catchy chorus, and insistent rhythms, the song urges listeners to take action in support of human rights and political freedom. It is a powerful reminder of the deep connections between music and social justice, and the enduring power of art to inspire change.
Line by Line Meaning
Alpha Condé !
Tiken is referring to Alpha Condé, the former President of Guinea, and using his name as a call to action in the song.
Kasso téna fohi kiira
The people are suffering and struggling with poverty and inequality.
Alou milon léhé baba
People are crying and asking for help.
Alou milon
Alou ma' lon
Alou ma' l on
The repetition of 'Alou milon' and 'Alou ma' lon' represents the desperation and urgency of the people's pleas for help.
Ku' i ya lou' la kélé lé laAlou ma' lon lé hé hé hé
The people are chanting together, expressing their unity and fighting spirit in the face of oppression and injustice.
Ali' i' ma kouma loufé baba
Mô yé kouman la tougnin lé fé
Djanva djougou mi dona' ima hé
Allah lé béna o' kiti tégué lon dô
Ali' i ma kouma lou' fe baba
Mô yé kouman là tougné lé fé
Djanra djugou mi dona imahé
Allah lé béna o' kiti tégué lon do
The verses describe the suffering and injustice faced by people under the leadership of Alpha Condé, and how people are praying for change through Allah.
Mandéla yi' i fora
Amadou Toumani ko kan gnifo
Afriki démocrates lou bi fora
Tiken references Nelson Mandela, Amadou Toumani Touré, and democratic movements across Africa, highlighting the importance of democracy and freedom.
Conakry ka' lou ko kangni fo
Kankan ka' lou ko kangni fo
La Guinée jeunesse yi i fora hé
The youth of Guinea are rising up and demanding change in Conakry and Kankan, the two largest cities in Guinea.
Libérez Alpha Condé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez Alpha Condé
Alpha Condé !
Libérez
Alpha Condé !
Tiken is calling for the release of Alpha Condé, who was arrested and detained after a military coup. The repetition of 'Libérez Alpha Condé' emphasizes the urgency and importance of his release.
Ala bantô tougné léman
Alpha Condé !
Allah béna tougné démin
Alpha Condé !
Niko alabantô tougné léma
Alpha Condé !
Allah béna tougné démé
Alpha Condé !
The repeated phrases 'Ala bantô tougné léman' and 'Allah béna tougné démin' express the people's need for justice, while 'Niko alabantô tougné léma' and 'Allah béna tougné démé' express their hope for change and the importance of faith.
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sowamadoudioulde4030
Alpha CONDE a montré et continue à montrer qu'il n'est pas digne de cette chanson..Force à Tiken qui est resté Fidèle à ses convictions, c'est ça un homme digne...
@msayago
Quelqu’un pourrais gentiment traduire cette chanson?!?!
Je suis brésilien et j’adore les chansons de Tiken Jah Fakoly! Je voudrais savoir ainsi un petit peu de Alpha Conde par rapport l’histoire.
Merci d’avance!
@Toutevieestsacree
Des humains importants qui sont utiles, merci Tiken.
@deleali7749
Ou sont-ils les personnes qui ècoute toujour cette musique comme moi
@amiroudiallo3838
Quand je l'écoute mon coeur ce brise je me demande ou est passé le patriotisme et c'est conviction mais hélas le pouvoir rend fou 😧😧
@nianganemoussa3849
fierté africaine mais malheureusement qui n'a pas de soutien.... longue vie à toi
@tongle3
thank you tiken jah now we know... love the song
@cherifdiallo9049
Ce son est excellent et nous faissait danser avec beaucoup de fierté dans le temps car nous aimions l'artiste, la musique et l'homme politique Alpha qui nous faisait rêver. Mais hélas aujourd'hui, on a vu qu'il est pire de Conté.
Dire que cet homme veut aujourd'hui un 3eme mandat.
@yayadiakite1195
Diallo tu ments les peul de la Guinée l ont détesté tout simplement parceque il a chanté cette chanson.et qd il a chanté contre le 3 eme mandats les malinke aussi l ont détesté,en un mots vous les guinéens
Vous n aimer pas la vérité voilà pourquoi votre pays ne peut se développer nonobstant que dieu vous ai tout donné.er les peul aussi sont trop rancuniers et ne pardonnent pas .
@cherifdiallo9049
@Yaya Diakite Tiken a toujours été mon chanteur favori et particulièrement cette chanson sur alpha m'a beaucoup plu à cause de la touche mandingue. Je suis un fanatique de la musique mandingue. Tu sais Diakité, c'est toi le menteur car tu es un voleur de nationalité en RCI. Moi je suis guinéen et fier de l'être et je l'ai toujours été malgré que je sois né en Côte d'Ivoire. Tu es vraiment fort car tu connais le sentiment de tous les peuls de Guinée.