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.
Discrimination
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God made the world for men to live
And he said one world one people
Yes he said one world one people
But I can see black and white fighting every day
Why discrimination in the world ? (x4)
God made the world for men to live
And he said one world one people
Yes he said one world one people
But I can see black and white fighting every day
Why discrimination in the world ? (x4)
It's a shame
Discrimination is a shame
It's a shame for humanity
Jah Jah says
I don't know why my people is crying in South Africa
Jah Jah says
I don't know why my people is crying in America (x2)
Why discrimination in the world ? (x4)
Jah Jah says
I don't know why my people is crying in South Africa
Jah Jah says
I don't know why my people is crying in America (x2)
Why discrimination in the world ? (x4)
I don't know why, Oh I don't know why
I don't know why, Oh I don't know why
I don't know why, why why why why why
Why discrimination in the world ?
I don't know why, Oh I don't know why
I don't know why, why why why why why
Why discrimination in the world (x12)
In Tiken Jah Fakoly's song "Discrimination," the artist addresses the widespread issue of discrimination and inequality that plagues our world. He begins by questioning why discrimination exists despite the fact that God created the world for humans to live in harmony and unity as one people. However, Fakoly observes that we still continue to see black and white people fighting against each other every day.
The chorus repeats the question “why discrimination in the world” throughout the song, emphasizing the artist's frustration and confusion at the persistence of such a harmful practice. Fakoly laments that discrimination is a shame for humanity, conveying the gravity of this issue.
Towards the end, Fakoly relates Jah Jah's perspective on the ongoing issue of discrimination. In South Africa and America, Jah Jah's people are crying due to the discrimination and injustice that they face. Fakoly concludes by repeating the question of why discrimination exists, expressing his deep-seated and unresolved uneasiness at this disturbing state of affairs.
Line by Line Meaning
God made the world for men to live
The world was created by God for everyone to inhabit.
And he said one world one people
God intended for all people to live together as one, without prejudice.
Yes he said one world one people
God emphasized that the world is meant for a unified humanity.
But I can see black and white fighting every day
Despite God's intention of a harmonious world, people of different races still fight against each other.
It's a shame
Discrimination is a disgraceful act.
Discrimination is a shame
The act of discrimination is shameful.
It's a shame for humanity
Humanity should be better than exhibiting acts of discrimination.
Jah Jah says
God says.
I don't know why my people is crying in South Africa
God is unaware why people are suffering and feeling oppressed in South Africa due to discrimination.
Jah Jah says
God says.
I don't know why my people is crying in America (x2)
God is also unaware of why people are crying out due to discrimination in America.
I don't know why, Oh I don't know why
The singer is expressing a sense of confusion and frustration with the prevalence of discrimination.
why why why why why
The singer repeatedly questions why discrimination is still a problem in the world.
Why discrimination in the world ?
The singer is questioning why discrimination continues to exist.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind