in 1992, at age 13, he released his first albun "Little Yaniss".
In 1998, Yaniss moves to Paris.
In 2001, he released his first single "La caraïbe" which foreshadowed his future album released in 2002 "Yon Pa Yon". From the French newspaper Liberation review, this album is "the French reggae record that comes closest to the current dancehall trend with titles such as "Long Time" or "On Your Mark"". This album was nominated for the Victoires de la Musique in 2003.
In 2007, he co-founded the Legalize Hits label and released an album called High Tunes in collaboration with Matinda and Straika D.
In 2013, he released his album Moment Idéal, which he prepared for more than 4 years. The main single is "Rouge Jaune Vert", a song where he expresses his vision of the Rastafarian movement.
In 2017, he released an album entitled "Nouvelle Donne" was released, featuring the title "Refugee", where he poignantly explains the history of refugees, the whys and wherefores, the wars and the tragedies that rage explaining their decision.
In 2022, he released an album called "Stay High" with 14 songs and two bonus tracks. The release had been delayed due to the Pandemic.
ALBUMS
1992 : Little Yaniss - La Méthode
2002 : Yon Pa Yon
2007 : High Tunes (Legalize Hits)
2008 : Hit 2 Hits: Volume 2 (Legalize Hits)
2013 : Moment idéal
2017 : Nouvelle Donne
2022: Stay High
Madinin'africa
Yaniss Odua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sundiata bara na Afriki banko kolo kan allah, ah djama lu, Afriki djamana ka di
Woyooh, nou sé frer é sœur, nou tout di mem famy
Woyooh, nou sé frer é sœur, nou tout di mem famy
C'est notre Nation, notre repère, notre fondation
Grâce à elle, on sait quelle est notre position
Africa ni Culture, la ni patché vibrations
Solidarité, éducation, elle a assuré pour les Générations
Face à l'Oppression, la Colonisation
Africa pa jan pèd foi, pa jammin béssé bra, I Dread
Bel exemple pou sa ki comprend ke la vi yo Rèd
Couraj vini lè pa rété ayin pou pèd
Africa ka goumin, Maman nou bizouin Aide
Mwen minm palé kitéy Dead
Afriki djamana de duman sa, a na deni nu oh, ulié mo na sin de rho
Afriki djamana kan, Afriki, badenya yé, afriki djamana kan
Sin dia yé, Afriki djamana kan
Farafin nu yé dumunu ké la fè kélé dé rho
Madinin'Africa
I ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina
Kana fili yéréma
Madinin'Africa
Mo ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina
Kana fili yéréma
I lé ti bo yoro lon, I lé ti to yoro lon
Ni mogo ma bo yoro lon, I ti ta yoro lon
I lé bo mi Farafina, I bemba ou ko di Farafina
I bonzon ou wa to Farafina, I bemba ou ko di Farafina
I lé ti bo yoro lon, I lé ti to yoro lon
Ni mogo ma bo yoro lon, I ti ta yoro lon
Madinin'Africa / I ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina / Kana fili yéréma
Madinin'Africa / Mo ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina / Kana fili yéréma
On pourrait prendre l'exemple du sens de la Familia
Pesson pé pa tèsté yo anlè wotè débouya
Coltcha yo sé ta yo, Mizik yo sé ta yo
Pou Science yo ni ta yo, Mèdsine yo sé ta yo
Tou moun lan lé ta yo, Et lé Youths Là
Yo ni foss, yo ni couraj passé nou tout là
Yo za wè pou jin lage yo paré pou route là
La Vie pa fè yo cado mé yo douboute là
Filé kon coutlà
Je retiens la joie de vivre qu'il y a dans le Pays
Ce qu'on ne voit pas dans les livres
Uniquement pour les aguerris
Ce qui me donne envie de poursuivre
Parce qu'en temps que novice, apprenti
Ma décision est prise
Dans mon cœur c'est toi que j'ai choisi
Madinin'Africa
I ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina
Kana fili yéréma
Madinin'Africa
Mo ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
Madinina
Kana fili yéréma
The first verse of Yaniss Odua's song Madinin'africa pays tribute to the history and culture of Africa. It mentions Sundiata Keita, a medieval ruler who established the Mali Empire, and refers to Africa as the mother of civilizations. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of solidarity, education, and courage in the face of oppression and colonization. The chorus repeats the phrase "Woyooh, nou sé frer é sœur, nou tout di mem famy," which means "we are brothers and sisters, we are all from the same family."
The second verse speaks specifically about the island of Martinique, where Yaniss Odua was born. He describes it as a place of joy and vitality, a place where culture and music thrive. The lyrics contrast the experience of living in Martinique with the knowledge that comes from books, suggesting that there is a deeper understanding of the world that cannot be learned in a classroom.
Throughout the song, Yaniss Odua celebrates the unity and diversity of Africa and the African diaspora. He draws on the history, culture, and music of his ancestors to create an anthem of love and respect for his homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
Afriki djamana kan, ayen djeli, bila djona
Africa is a land of great tales and history, a place where the stories of the past are passed down from generation to generation
Sundiata bara na Afriki banko kolo kan allah, ah djama lu, Afriki djamana ka di
Sundiata is a hero of Africa, a man who brought peace to his people and laid the foundation for a strong and united nation
Woyooh, nou sé frer é sœur, nou tout di mem famy
We are all brothers and sisters, part of the same family
C'est notre Nation, notre repère, notre fondation
Africa is our nation, our guiding light, our foundation
Grâce à elle, on sait quelle est notre position
Thanks to Africa, we know our place in the world
Elle représente la Mère des Civilisations
Africa is known as the cradle of civilization, the mother of all civilizations
Africa ni Culture, la ni patché vibrations
Africa is a land of rich culture and vibrant traditions
Solidarité, éducation, elle a assuré pour les Générations
Africa has ensured solidarity and education for future generations
Face à l'Oppression, la Colonisation
Despite facing oppression and colonization,
Africa pa jan pèd foi, pa jammin béssé bra, I Dread
Africa never loses faith, never gives up, I Dread
Bel exemple pou sa ki comprend ke la vi yo Rèd
A fine example for those who understand that life is a journey
Couraj vini lè pa rété ayin pou pèd
Courage comes when you have nothing left to lose
Africa ka goumin, Maman nou bizouin Aide
Africa is fighting, our mother needs help
Mwen minm palé kitéy Dead
I am speaking from the heart
Afriki djamana de duman sa, a na deni nu oh, ulié mo na sin de rho
Africa's legacy spans centuries, from the past to the present
Afriki djamana kan, Afriki, badenya yé, afriki djamana kan
Africa is a land of great history and culture, Africa is our heritage
Sin dia yé, Afriki djamana kan
This is the essence of Africa, our heritage
Farafin nu yé dumunu ké la fè kélé dé rho
We are all one people, united by a common destiny
Madinin'Africa
Martinique is part of Africa
I ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
It has its own unique traditions and way of life
Kana fili yéréma
It is a place of beauty and wonder
Mo ba ké niawo niama, i kosin sôw
I am proud of my heritage and my roots
On pourrait prendre l'exemple du sens de la Familia
We can take the example of the sense of family
Pesson pé pa tèsté yo anlè wotè débouya
Some things cannot be learned from books or theories
Coltcha yo sé ta yo, Mizik yo sé ta yo
Their culture is their own, from their music to their food
Pou Science yo ni ta yo, Mèdsine yo sé ta yo
Their knowledge of science and medicine is part of their culture
Tou moun lan lé ta yo, Et lé Youths Là
Everyone is part of their culture, including the youth
Yo ni foss, yo ni couraj passé nou tout là
They have strength and courage beyond our imagination
Yo za wè pou jin lage yo paré pou route là
They are ready for whatever lies ahead
La Vie pa fè yo cado mé yo douboute là
Life may not be easy, but they never give up
Filé kon coutlà
That's just the way it is
Je retiens la joie de vivre qu'il y a dans le Pays
I remember the joy of living in this land
Ce qu'on ne voit pas dans les livres
Things that are not in books
Uniquement pour les aguerris
Only for those who have experienced it
Ce qui me donne envie de poursuivre
This is what inspires me to keep going
Parce qu'en temps que novice, apprenti
As a novice and an apprentice
Ma décision est prise
My decision is made
Dans mon cœur c'est toi que j'ai choisi
In my heart, I have chosen you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind