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.
Toubabou
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toubabou ta kela gbanzan (2f)
Nikayimounouna farafina yôrômi
Nomi djantoyerela kadô bakonon
Aba gnagamou kabaka gnambô
Kabaka gnangamou
Ikanayé kouyadaye gbanzanho
Atta kela gbanzan
Toubabou ta kela gbanzan(2f)
Nikayimounouna farafina yôrômi
Nomi djantoyerela kodô bakonon
Aba gnagamou kabaka gnambô
Kaboka gnagamou
Ikanayé kouyadaye gbanzanho
Refrain(2f)
Coup d'état assegnanrô
Nakayé attatonon tlékoun
Abilébadin ourossouhi kamaho
Abagnangamou kaba kagnabô
Kagnabô kabakagnangamou
Ikanayé kouyadayé gbanzanho
Refrain(2f)
Ils ne font rien pour rien(2f)
Ils sont venus d'abord en explorateurs
Ensuite en missionnaires, apres en colonisateur, puis en coopérants
Aujourd'hui, après avor dévalué notre monnaie, ils reviennent pour tout racheter sous l'étiquette des investisseurs
Dans ce cas ,qu'allons nous laisser à nos enfants,la colonisation?
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Si tu le vois dans nos ghettos,attention,
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Si tu le vois dans nos ghettos
Il n'est pas là pour rien(3f)
Si tu le vois ,be careful
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Il n'est pas là pour rien
The song Toubabou by Tiken Jah Fakoly is a powerful commentary on the history and ongoing impact of colonization in Africa. The lyrics begin with the repeated phrase "Atta kela gbanzan, Toubabou ta kela gbanzan," which translates to "The white man has stolen our treasures." The song goes on to describe the arrival of explorers, missionaries, colonizers, and now investors who seek to take advantage of Africa's resources, with little regard for the people who live there.
The chorus of the song warns listeners to be careful, as the white man is not there for nothing. This phrase is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the danger of those who seek to exploit Africa for their own gain. The final lines of the song ask what will be left for future generations, suggesting that the legacy of colonization may continue to impact Africa long after the immediate effects have faded.
Overall, Toubabou is a powerful critique of the ongoing impact of colonization on Africa, and a call to be vigilant against those who seek to exploit the continent and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Atta kela gbanzan
The people are suffering
Toubabou ta kela gbanzan
The whites are responsible for this suffering
Nikayimounouna farafina yôrômi
We are Africans, proud and strong
Nomi djantoyerela kadô bakonon
We are the descendants of great warriors and leaders
Aba gnagamou kabaka gnambô
We will not forget our traditions and customs
Kabaka gnangamou
We will defend them at all costs
Ikanayé kouyadaye gbanzanho
We will not let anyone oppress us
Refrain
Chorus
Coup d'état assegnanrô
Our government has been overthrown
Nakayé attatonon tlékoun
Our people are suffering under this new regime
Abilébadin ourossouhi kamaho
Our resources are being stolen by outsiders
Abagnangamou kaba kagnabô
We will resist and fight for our rights
Kagnabô kabakagnangamou
We will not let them take advantage of us
Ikanayé kouyadayé gbanzanho
We will not be silenced
Ils ne font rien pour rien
They have always had ulterior motives
Ils sont venus d'abord en explorateurs
They came to Africa as explorers
Ensuite en missionnaires, apres en colonisateur, puis en coopérants
Then as missionaries, colonizers, and finally as business partners
Aujourd'hui, après avor dévalué notre monnaie, ils reviennent pour tout racheter sous l'étiquette des investisseurs
Today, after devaluing our currency, they come back to buy everything under the guise of investment
Dans ce cas ,qu'allons nous laisser à nos enfants,la colonisation?
What will we leave for our children, our colonized legacy?
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Do not underestimate their intentions
Si tu le vois dans nos ghettos,attention,
If you see them in our neighborhoods, be cautious
Il n'est pas là pour rien
Do not be fooled by their actions
Si tu le vois dans nos ghettos
If you see them in our neighborhoods
Il n'est pas là pour rien
They have a purpose
Contributed by Jordan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.