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.
Tata
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ta, fonika yafama
Tata fonika yafama
Oh Oh Oh Tata yafama
Oka Tata bougô,kamassorô ne fê
Oka nêni kamssôrô ne fê
Oka tata djêbê, kawa kounkê nêyê
Oka nêni kamassôrô ne fê
Oka tata bougô kamassôrô nê fê
Oka Tata djêbê,kawa kounkê nêyê
oka nêni kamassôrô ne fê
Oh oh tata fonika yafama
oh oh oh tata yafama
o oh tata fonika yafama
Oh oh oh Tata yafama
Tata neni Awa bêbê la gnôgôkan
kidari, ye yafama,
Allah kôsson tchêla kôsson
Oh lonela,nekalon, ni Allah makiti
Kokola dounougnan, kouye tata froula
Tata ko kalê be nelefê
Ameriki kalou nanan kouye Tata froula
Tata ko kalê ye nelefê
Franzi kalou nanan, kouye tata froula
tata ko kale ye nelefê
Tata kankeletiqui
Awa bamousso kankeletiqui
tata kankeletiqui
Tata kankeletiqui
N'goule keni kankeletiquiyê
Ninetonkakê kankeletiquiyê
Ninetonkakê kankeletiquiyê
Antounbeta yafama
Oh oh oh Tafama
In "Tata," Tiken Jah Fakoly sings about the struggles and hardships faced by people of Africa, specifically in Mali. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase "Tata fonika yamafa," which means "Father, everything is blocked." Fakoly talks about poverty and the lack of infrastructure in Mali, which leaves its people unable to progress. He sings about the corruption in the government and the constant struggle for survival.
The chorus "Tata yafama" means "Father has done it." It speaks of the people's dependence on God and their belief that he will provide for them, despite the challenges they face. Fakoly emphasizes that the people of Africa need to stand together and work towards a common goal. He describes the beauty of Africa and encourages people to respect their culture and traditions.
The song also makes a few references to colonialism and how it has affected the people of Mali. The lines "Franzi kalou nanan, kouye tata froula, tata ko kale ye nelefê" mean "The French came and took everything away from us. Father, everything has been taken from us." This reflects how colonialism has stripped Africa of natural resources and economic opportunities.
Overall, "Tata" is a powerful song that sheds light on some of the challenges faced by the people of Africa. It showcases Fakoly's ability to combine strong lyrics with a catchy beat to deliver a powerful message.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Tata,fonika yamafa
Oh father, your teachings are valuable
Ta, fonika yafama
Your teachings are precious
Tata fonika yafama
Father, your teachings are valuable
Oh Oh Oh Tata yafama
Father, your teachings are so valuable
Oka Tata bougô,kamassorô ne fê
Oh father, you showed me the way, now I am ready
Oka nêni kamssôrô ne fê
Now I am ready to go, to follow the way you showed me
Oka tata djêbê, kawa kounkê nêyê
Oh father, my friend, let's go our separate ways for now
Oh oh oh oh tata yafama
Oh father, your teachings are so valuable
Oka tata bougô kamassôrô nê fê
Oh father, you showed me the way and now I am ready to go
Oka Tata djêbê,kawa kounkê nêyê
Oh father, my friend, let's go our separate ways for now
oka nêni kamassôrô ne fê
Now I am ready to go, to follow the way you showed me
Oh oh tata fonika yafama
Oh father, your teachings are so precious
oh oh oh tata yafama
Oh father, your teachings are so valuable
o oh tata fonika yafama
Oh father, your teachings are so precious
Oh oh oh Tata yafama
Oh father, your teachings are so valuable
Tata neni Awa bêbê la gnôgôkan
Father, my child Awa understands your teachings
kidari, ye yafama,
She will follow them and cherish them
Allah kôsson tchêla kôsson
Allah is watching over us
Oh lonela,nekalon, ni Allah makiti
Oh children, remember Allah is always with us
Kokola dounougnan, kouye tata froula
Some people forget the teachings, but not us
Tata ko kalê be nelefê
Father is always right
Ameriki kalou nanan kouye Tata froula
Some Americans remember father's teachings
Tata ko kalê ye nelefê
Father is always right
Franzi kalou nanan, kouye tata froula
Some French people remember father's teachings
tata ko kale ye nelefê
Father is always right
Tata kankeletiqui
Father is a great leader
Awa bamousso kankeletiqui
Our community recognizes his leadership
tata kankeletiqui
Father is a great leader
Tata kankeletiqui
Father is a great leader
N'goule keni kankeletiquiyê
Everyone follows his leadership
Ninetonkakê kankeletiquiyê
Everywhere he is recognized as a great leader
Ninetonkakê kankeletiquiyê
Everywhere he is recognized as a great leader
Antounbeta yafama
His courage is valuable
Oh oh oh Tafama
Oh, such a valuable person
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aurorelowezanin6552
Voici les paroles que j'ai trouvées sur internet et adapté à la version:
C'est plus facile pour chanter !!!☺️
N'hésitez pas à corriger car je suis pas ivoirienne...!
Oooh Tata, fonika yafama
Ta, fonika yafamaaaa
Tata fonika yafamaaa
Oooh Tata yafama
(musique)
Oka Tata bougô, kamassorô ne fê
Oka nêni kamssôrô ne fê
Oka tata djêbê, kawa kounkê nêyê
Oka nêni kamassôrô ne fê
Ooh Tata, fonika yafamaaaa
Oooooh Tata yafama
Oka tata bougô kamassôrô nê fê
Oka nêni kamassôrô ne fê
Oka Tata djêbê, kawa kounkê nêyê
Oka nêni kamassôrô ne fée
O oh tata fonika yafamaaa
Oooooh tata yafama
Tata fonika yafamaaa
Oooooh Tata yafamaa
(musique)
Sanamô lounana
Kouye tata le fouroula
Tata ko kalê be nelefê
Ameriki kalou nanan, aah kouyé Tata le fouroula
Tata ko, kalê ye be nelefê
Go Franzi kala loulou nanan,
Kouye tata lefouroula
Tata ko, kale be nelefê
Ameriki kalou nanan, ahh kouyé
Tata le fouroula
Tata ko kalê ye be nelefê
(musique)
Ma Tata kanguélétigui
Awa bamousso kanguélétigui
Tata kanguélétigui
Tata kanguélétigui
Niné keni kanguélétiguiyê
Ninétonkakê kanguélétiguiyê té
Nitonkakê kanguélétiguiyê
Antounbeta gnonfééé
Oooooh Tata fonika yafamaaaa
Oooooh Tata yafamaa
Tata, fonika yafamaaaa
Oooooh Tata yafamaa
Tata fonika yafamaaa
Oooooh Tata yafamaa
Tata fonika yafamaaa
Oooooh Tata yafamaa
@mamadousoumahoro8572
Ceux qui sont là à écouter ce sons en 2024, que la joie de vivre vous localise... ❤🎉
@YAQUOU
Amina
@user-jw9qg3uk4i
Tiken est l'artiste de mon coeur je comprend pas dioula mais j'écoute a de longueur de journée
@thiellandfabrice2346
Tiken c est l Afrique j espère qu un jour chaque homme blanc comprenne ce qu on n a pris là bas
@karensinga-pc5in
Merci ❤ et amen
@seudavidgono2312
Souvent ce son c'est le vecu...comment oublier?
@kragbojeanemmanuel6717
Je dedie ce morceau à ma copine qui n est plus . Elle a rendu l âme le jeudi 07 / 12/ 2023 à 11h 20 min . Repose en paix Flora ❤
@divineaude5727
Soit fort
@akajeanphilippeandersontan9240
Soit fort fort 🙏
@yshjojo97
Courage