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.
Baba
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, Baba ni congooo (m'ba)
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dème
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dèmè
Baba be ta sènèkè télé kòrò,
TéLé Yé Baba kan, wolowolo yé Baba kan,
Daba nò be bò Baba bolo là,
Gnonssé fana bé baba kan,
(refrain)
Obèkò, malo kassé, baba te fin sòrò malo la,
Aloumayé baba sèguèni,
Aloumayé baba tòròla,
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, Baba ni congooo (m'ba)
Chaque jour,à la télé,j'entend que le succès du pays repose sur l'agriculture,
Mais nos parents vivent dans la misère,
Nos parents meurent dans la misère,
J'entend à la radiooo, le succès du pays repose sur l'agriculture,
Mais nos parents vivent dans la misère,
Nos parents vivent dans la galère,
Sènèkè béré kènibè ka Abidjan fa,
Olou te ta congola abadan,
Mais malo ka di oyé, baranda fana ka di oyé
Sènèkè béré kènibè ka gouvernement fa,
Olou te ta congola abadan,
Djamana wara bè bi olou le bolo,
Alou mayé baba sèguèna,
Alou mayé baba tòròla,
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, baba ni congo (m'ba)
Héeee, Baba ni congooo (m'ba)
Anye antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dème,
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dèmè,
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dème.
The song "Baba" by Tiken Jah Fakoly speaks to the struggles faced by the people of Congo. The repetition of the phrase "Baba ni Congo" is a cry for help and a representation of the people's identity. The lyrics ask for blessings from God to help improve the conditions of the people living in poverty. The verse "J'entend à la radiOOO, le succès du pays repose sur l'agriculture" highlights the disconnect between the government's talk of success and the reality of people living in poverty.
The second verse references the Ivory Coast, where many Congolese people migrate to in search of better economic opportunities. However, even there, they face similar struggles and difficulties. The lines "Sènèkè béré kènibè ka Abidjan fa, Olou te ta congola abadan" suggest that despite leaving Congo, their situation does not improve. The government is also mentioned, with a reference to the war and destruction caused by it. The song ends with a plea to God for help and blessings for the people of Congo.
Line by Line Meaning
Héeee, Baba ni congo (m'ba)
The people of Congo declare their respect and admiration for Baba.
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dème
May Allah protect and bless us.
Lòngolo sògòma dalà, Baba bè congo sirala,tamana,télé kòrò
Baba is a strong and wise leader for the people of Congo, and he can communicate with them through the radio and television.
Baba be ta sènèkè télé kòrò,
Baba is also skilled at using the media to spread important messages to his people.
TéLé Yé Baba kan, wolowolo yé Baba kan,
Baba is loved and respected by his people, and they call out his name with joy and enthusiasm.
Daba nò be bò Baba bolo là,
Even though there are some who may try to challenge Baba's leadership, he remains steadfast and confident.
Gnonssé fana bé baba kan,
And those who do not support him will not be successful in their efforts.
Obèkò, malo kassé, baba te fin sòrò malo la,
Despite the challenges faced by the people of Congo, Baba is committed to finding a solution that will bring them peace and prosperity.
Aloumayé baba sèguèni,
May Baba be protected and guided by Allah.
Aloumayé baba tòròla,
May Baba be granted victory over his enemies.
Chaque jour,à la télé,j'entend que le succès du pays repose sur l'agriculture,
Every day, we hear on television that the success of our country depends on agriculture.
Mais nos parents vivent dans la misère,
But, in reality, our parents are living in poverty.
Nos parents meurent dans la misère,
And this poverty is leading to the death of our people.
J'entend à la radiooo, le succès du pays repose sur l'agriculture,
And even on the radio, we hear the same message about the importance of agriculture.
Mais nos parents vivent dans la misère,
But, again, our people are struggling to survive.
Nos parents vivent dans la galère,
And they are living in terrible conditions.
Sènèkè béré kènibè ka Abidjan fa,
The leaders in Abidjan are struggling as well.
Olou te ta congola abadan,
And the problems faced by Congo are affecting the entire region.
Mais malo ka di oyé, baranda fana ka di oyé
But we must never give up, and we will not be defeated.
Sènèkè béré kènibè ka gouvernement fa,
Even the government is struggling to find a solution.
Olou te ta congola abadan,
And the problems faced by Congo are affecting everyone.
Djamana wara bè bi olou le bolo,
But, with determination and perseverance, we will overcome these challenges.
Anyé antato Allah ma, Allah bena tougnè dème.
May Allah continue to bless and protect us as we work towards a better future for Congo and its people.
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.