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.
Djeli
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mounkèni Djelimuso do na mounkila
N'gwabebaala fara bgèlouma n'golou ko kolou gna té farafinoula dja farafina yèrè le gnagamoua allah kana kuma bgagassanela ko karissa ni karissa te fourougnomayé hé hé..
(Refrain)
Kognômalô do wilila ho kwagnewa djelylou wélé dénkounabô do barassé ho kwangnewa noumou lou wélé adamadéya kuma barana kwagnewa founa lou wélé n'go ni gnamakala mi ka bô idén kô ayebana odilaoma fouroula n'goulé dénmuso do hné malobalyala manamana môgô
(Refrain)...
Alou tolomalô hoo fakoly kumatôlé;n'go Sourakata lé toun yé Mahamadou kô...n'go Sourakata lé tou yé Mahamadou kô yôrôbèla hé.
Snourakata dén tô Moudalfa,Moudalfa dén tô Fakouroun,Fakouroun dé tô Farfan,Farfan dén tô Henryani,Henryani dén Djiguiso,Djiguiso dén tô Karyani,Karyani dén ne Gnantaman,Gnantaman dén ne Gnantouman,Gnantouman dén ne Douga yé,Douga olé dén yé Ballafa ségui yé Delya daminèni oléma manamana môgôlou
N'go alé Massa lé do ka ambèdan n'go ni djely té mina oté ninakili Allah la Couranè do ma foyi fô djely hinè tani Allah la hôrôgnan.N'galé Djelikeni do na mounkela aloula woïyoy woyoïyoy...
The song "Djeli" by Tiken Jah Fakoly is a tribute to the traditional griots of West Africa. The lyrics are in Bambara, which is a language primarily spoken in Mali, and they speak of the importance of the griot's role in preserving history and culture through storytelling.
The first verse refers to the two kinds of djelis or griots--the djelimuso who sings and plays the kora (a West African harp), and the djelikeni who recites poetry and tells stories. The second verse mentions different djeli families and their connections through generations. It shows how important the djeli heritage is in West African culture and how it is passed down from one generation to another.
The refrain mentions the different djeli families and how they work together to preserve their legacy. The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity among djelis and their role in preserving their cultural heritage. The last verses are a dedication to various historical and legendary figures in West African djeli culture.
Overall, the song "Djeli" is an ode to the djelis and their cultural heritage. It speaks of the importance of their role in preserving their history and cultural traditions. It is a reminder of the richness and diversity of West African culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Moukèni Djelikeni do na mounlila
A djeli is going to tell a story, listen to me
Mounkèni Djelimuso do na mounkila
A djeli is going to sing, be quiet and listen
N'gwabebaala fara bgèlouma n'golou ko kolou gna té farafinoula dja farafina yèrè le gnagamoua allah kana kuma bgagassanela ko karissa ni karissa te fourougnomayé hé hé..
Let me sing and tell you a story about a place where Allah is the only guide and where peace rules over war
(Refrain)
Chorus
Kognômalô do wilila ho kwagnewa djelylou wélé dénkounabô do barassé ho kwangnewa noumou lou wélé adamadéya kuma barana kwagnewa founa lou wélé n'go ni gnamakala mi ka bô idén kô ayebana odilaoma fouroula n'goulé dénmuso do hné malobalyala manamana môgô
Let me tell you about Djely, the one who can weave stories and sing beautifully, and who can bring people together even when they come from different places
(Refrain)
Chorus
Alou tolomalô hoo fakoly kumatôlé;n'go Sourakata lé toun yé Mahamadou kô...n'go Sourakata lé tou yé Mahamadou kô yôrôbèla hé.
Let me sing a song about Sourakata, Mahamadou, and Yôrôbèla, all great djelis who have passed down the tradition to the next generation. This song is for all the djelis and their descendants.
Snourakata dén tô Moudalfa,Moudalfa dén tô Fakouroun,Fakouroun dé tô Farfan,Farfan dén tô Henryani,Henryani dén Djiguiso,Djiguiso dén tô Karyani,Karyani dén ne Gnantaman,Gnantaman dén ne Gnantouman,Gnantouman dén ne Douga yé,Douga olé dén yé Ballafa ségui yé Delya daminèni oléma manamana môgôlou
The lineage of djelis goes from Sourakata to Moudalfa, from Moudalfa to Fakouroun, from Fakouroun to Farfan, and so on until it reaches Ballafa, Delya, and others - all great djelis. These djelis' stories and songs have been passed down from generation to generation.
(Refrain)
Chorus
N'go alé Massa lé do ka ambèdan n'go ni djely té mina oté ninakili Allah la Couranè do ma foyi fô djely hinè tani Allah la hôrôgnan.N'galé Djelikeni do na mounkela aloula woïyoy woyoïyoy...
Let me conclude with this message from Allah - that the djeli is a messenger of God and should be respected. So listen to me as I tell you the story of Djelikeni.
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.