Tiken Jah Fakoly (1968) is a reggae singer from Odienné, Côte d’Ivoire (a.k… Read Full Bio ↴Tiken Jah Fakoly (1968) is a reggae singer from Odienné, Côte d’Ivoire (a.k.a Ivory Coast).

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.

Demé
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

A ba muso ko' ama
ko' alé yé duni'ya môgô bê bo gné
ko lon dô matô sera

o'lou té na sé
a ba muso bana, a fatché bana
douni'ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmé

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

A fatché ko'ama
ko'alé yé duni'ya mô bé bogné
ko lon'dô na to séra, o'lou téna ké ya
o'lon lé na'na sé
ba'muso bana, a fatché bana
douni'ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

(solo guitare)

A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna moun'ké
a'ma lon a béna mou domou
a'ma lon a béna moun ké
A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna moun'ké
a'ma lon a béna mou domou
A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna mou domou
oh lord !

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna moun'ké
a'ma lon a béna mou domou
A'ma lon a béta minido
A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna moun'ké
a'ma lon a béna mou domou
A'ma lon a béta minido
a'ma lon a béna moun'ké
oh lord !

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

(solo guitare)

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !
Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Aya dêmé douni ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmê !

Overall Meaning

The song "Démé" by Tiken Jah Fakoly is sung in the Bambara language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Mali. The lyrics talk about the struggles of the people of Mali, who are faced with poverty, corruption, and social injustice. The phrase "Aya dêmé" is repeated throughout the song, which means "Oh, my God" or "Oh, my goodness" in Bambara. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the desperation and hopelessness that the people of Mali feel in the face of their challenges.

The song also talks about the power of solidarity and unity in the face of adversity. The lyrics mention "ba muso," which means "one people" in Bambara. This phrase emphasizes the importance of coming together as a community to support each other and fight for change. The song encourages people to stand up for their rights and demand a better future for their country.

Overall, "Démé" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the struggles of the people of Mali. It is a call to action for people to work together and fight for a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

Aya dêmé, môgô lou ko'aya démé oh !
Oh brother, don't be selfish, let's share!

Aya dêmé, douni ya môgô lou ko' aya dêmé !
Oh brother, let's share what we have, don't be selfish!

A ba muso ko' ama
Let's come together as a community

ko' alé yé duni'ya môgô bê bo gné
And work towards a better future

ko lon dô matô sera
Where everyone will be happy

o'lou té na sé
And no one will be left behind

a ba muso bana, a fatché bana
Let's come together, let's unite

douni'ya môgô lou ko'aya dêmé
So that we can share what we have

(solo guitare)

A fatché ko'ama
Let's unite together

ko'alé yé duni'ya mô bé bogné
And work towards a better future