It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where thr… Read Full Bio ↴ZENGLEN
It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where three friends who were destined to make history in Haitian music met. Every afternoon, a young Brutus would sit on his front porch and play the guitar. Garry Didier Perez, and his friend Patrick Martineau, often noticed him and one day invited him to come over Patrick’s house. They would meet every afternoon to listen to all genres of music and interpret their favorites. During one of their rehearsals, some beer bottles fell off an amplifier that was vibrating and shattered into a million pieces. The guys laughed at the fact that Patrick would have a hard time cleaning up the many tiny pieces off the granulated floor. They all exclaimed ZENGLEN (which means tiny pieces of broken glass) and from that day on this was their band's name.
In 1989, the trio recorded "Koule Tan" (the color of time). Once completed, they took some tapes to several radio stations where hosts and listeners would become fans and fall in love.
Zenglen became one of the wonders of the early 1990’s as they released the hit song "Fidel" off of the album "An Nou Alèz." In the song the band said that “change” is never easy and always faces obstacles, and resistance, but that they pledge to remain faithful (Fidel) to their mission which is to improve and modernize the Konpa rhythm.
The Konpa world was introduced to their new found stars like the guitarist and singer Brutus Derissaint and the lead singer Gary Didier Perez among others. In the song "Fidel" the band said: "Sé konsa se konsa se konsa la vi ya ye lè ou vle met chanjman reziztans tèt chaje." Unfortunately after a U.S tour most of the band’s members abandoned ship and the band broke up into pieces like a real Zenglen.
In Miami Brutus never stop caressing the dream of keeping some of the pieces alive and had moved on with some attempts like the Zenglen Plus and a few solo albums in the 1990’s. Many musicians tried to help him to collect the pieces, but they often moved with their own projects like the creation of the band D-Zine. Nevertheless Brutus never lost faith and still remained fidèl (Faithful) to his mission by hiring more talented musicians each and every time. At the end of the century the acquisition of the drummer Richard Herard (Richie) and then singer Gracia Delva took Zenglen to the level of a very competitive Konpa band in the demanding market as they released the album "Easy Konpa" with nothing but major hits song that were going to move the band to the front burner of the industry. Ever since that time Zenglen hasn’t looked back despite the so many changes of personnel that occurred.
The album "Easy Konpa" was introduced to the public with the release of the video of the hit song "5 Dwèt" which boosted Zenglen to the top of the konpa scene. The song "B.S Productions" got the attention of the public as the song talk about unqualified show producers damaging the reputation of the bands. On that same album the band touched some subjects until then taboo as they talked about lesbians in the society in the song "Flannè Femèl" and drug used in the song "Ti Poud."
In the following years Zenglen continued to amaze the Konpa fans all over the world with the releases of the albums "Let It Groove," "Do It Right," "5 Etwal." The latest album, "5eme Vites," sung by current lead vocalist Kenny Desmangles, touches subjects on society, relationships with top notch konpa, and proved again why critics have praised them as the Konpa University.
Over the years the Konpa observers have seen broken pieces that continued to break in even more pieces, but the band remains solid and true to their mission: Zenglen doesn’t change…Zenglen improve. Like they often say in their songs “Sé pa changé nou changé, se pi bon’n vin’n pi bon.”
5 Kontinan
Zenglen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Apa ou se pa vre
Apa'w te la
Si pòt la frape, pa bezwen pè louvri
Se Zenglen ki rive pou la gete djayi
Nou tap bay dwèt gen sa'k te di se chans
Yo blije fè'n konfyans
Nou twouve yon ide pandan n'ap etidye
Nou pral di nou konbyen tip de fanm ki genyen
Si'n baze sou bote, nou pap janm ka konte
Men seksyelman n'twouve ke
Chak fanm nan yon kontinan, se yon kontinan
Menaj pa'm sou Afrik, madanm pa'w ka Amerik
Fanm tankou 5 kontinan, pa bezwen vwayaje
Sijè ape trete, pran chèz ban'm tande
L'Europe, l'Asie, l'Afrique, l'Amérique et l'Océanie
N'aprann sa tou piti nan La Géographie
Si'n konpare la femme aux cinq continents,
Se pa de tanperaman mais c'est plus tôt sexuellement
Nou pral di nou kòman san nou pa pèdi tan
M'di vin tande manman pou pa fè sezisman
Tout fanm ka bèl konsa men yo pa nan menm eta
Sitou lè'w desann pi ba (Pi ba wo)
Fanm tankou 5 kontinan
(Fanm tankou 5 kontinan)
Fanm tankou 5 kontinan
(Les femmes sont comme les cinq continents)
M'pral pale manman mwen
(Fanm tankou 5 kontinan)
Géographie de la femme
(Les femmes sont comme les cinq continents)
Ou kab selebre 30 an d'mariaj
San'w pa konn a ki tip de fanm ou ye
Lè'w tande mizik sa-a, w'ap kapab lokalize'w
Tout fanm yo ka bèl konsa
Men yo pa nan menm eta
Sitou lè'w desann pi ba
Se sa'k fe'm konpare la femme aux cinq continents
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Afrique
(Vierges et inexplorées)
Certaines sont comme l'Amérique
(Ni vierges, ni explorées)
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Europe
(Ravagées mais pleines de charme)
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Asie
(Profondes et mistérieuses)
E l'Océanie an? (Li pi du)
Pou kisa?
Se fanm ki fè gè Kako, 1ère, 2ème Guerre Mondiale,
Gè 100 tan, Iran - Iraq, Malouines, se sa ki fè woy
Se yon monopòl personne n'y va
Ki koze sa-a woy (Tout moun ap pale)
Tout moun ap pale, pèsonn pap prale ki pawòl sa-a woy?
Se yon monopòl personne n'y va
Ki koze sa-a woy
Tout moun ap pale, pèsonn pap prale ki pawòl sa-a woy?
Jenn ti fi kape grandi, fò kapab koute manman'w
Jenn ti fi kape grandi, fò kapab koute paran'w
Se pa anyen nou gen avè'w lè n'ap chante mizik sa-a
Se les hommes ki si ekzijan
Lè'w tande anba la vil pa bon yo pran rele
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
Ou ka trouve'm on jan oze men sepandan se verite ke m'ap pale
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
Yo di pito mwen trepase tan pou mwen ta pase
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
Ti medam fè respè nou; tande paran nou.
The song "5 Kontinan" by Zenglen is a celebration of diversity among women across the world. The lyrics begin by questioning the authenticity of the listener's presence and proceed to showcase the power of Zenglen's musical talent. Next, the lyrics talk about the different continents and highlight how every woman is beautiful, but not all are in the same state. The song goes on to compare women to the five continents, and each continent represents women with different characteristics, values, and experiences. The lyrics aim to teach listeners about the diversity among women while reminding them to respect and listen to their mothers and parents.
Throughout the song, there's a recurrent theme of sexual confidence and knowledge about women, their sexual desires, and sexual histories. Zenglen acknowledges that some women are like the Americas, neither virgins nor explored, while others are like Africa, virgins and unexplored. Meanwhile, some are like Europe, ravaged but charming, and others are deep and mysterious, like Asia. Finally, Zenglen compares the Oceania region to women who have experienced wars, such as the First and Second World Wars and the Iran-Iraq war.
In essence, the song is a celebration of diversity, respect for women's experiences, and learning about different women's realities worldwide. It highlights the importance of listening to our parents and respecting women's sexual history and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Apa ou se pa vre
It's not true what they say about you
Apa'w te la
Were you there to see what happened?
Si pòt la frape, pa bezwen pè louvri
If the door is open, there's no need to knock
Se Zenglen ki rive pou la gete djayi
Zenglen is here to get the party started
Nou tap bay dwèt gen sa'k te di se chans
We used to give high fives for what we thought were lucky breaks
Lè yo wè nou pa nan jwèt
When they see we're not playing around
Yo blije fè'n konfyans
They have to trust us
Nou twouve yon ide pandan n'ap etidye
We come up with an idea while studying
Nou pral di nou konbyen tip de fanm ki genyen
We'll talk about the different types of women
Si'n baze sou bote, nou pap janm ka konte
If we based it on looks alone, we would never be able to count
Men seksyelman n'twouve ke
But as sexual beings we do find that
Chak fanm nan yon kontinan, se yon kontinan
Each woman on a continent represents that continent
Menaj pa'm sou Afrik, madanm pa'w ka Amerik
My wife may be from Africa, but your wife could be from America
Fanm tankou 5 kontinan, pa bezwen vwayaje
Women are like the 5 continents, no need to travel
Sijè ape trete, pran chèz ban'm tande
As the subject is being addressed, take a seat and listen
L'Europe, l'Asie, l'Afrique, l'Amérique et l'Océanie
Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oceania
N'aprann sa tou piti nan La Géographie
We learn that in Geography at a young age
Si'n konpare la femme aux cinq continents,
If we compare women to the five continents
Se pa de tanperaman mais c'est plus tôt sexuellement
It's not about temperament but more about sexuality
Nou pral di nou kòman san nou pa pèdi tan
We're going to explain how without wasting time
M'di vin tande manman pou pa fè sezisman
I'm telling my mom to come listen so she doesn't get offended
Tout fanm ka bèl konsa men yo pa nan menm eta
All women can be beautiful but they're not in the same state
Sitou lè'w desann pi ba (Pi ba wo)
Especially when you go down low (Lower your voice)
Fanm tankou 5 kontinan
Women are like the 5 continents
(Fanm tankou 5 kontinan)
(Women are like the 5 continents)
M'pral pale manman mwen
I'm going to talk to my mother
(Fanm tankou 5 kontinan)
(Women are like the 5 continents)
Géographie de la femme
Geography of women
(Les femmes sont comme les cinq continents)
(Women are like the 5 continents)
Ou kab selebre 30 an d'mariaj
You can celebrate 30 years of marriage
San'w pa konn a ki tip de fanm ou ye
Without knowing what kind of woman you are
Lè'w tande mizik sa-a, w'ap kapab lokalize'w
When you hear this music, you can locate yourself
Tout fanm yo ka bèl konsa
All women can be beautiful
Men yo pa nan menm eta
But they're not in the same state
Sitou lè'w desann pi ba
Especially when you go down low
Se sa'k fe'm konpare la femme aux cinq continents
That's what makes me compare women to the 5 continents
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Afrique
Some women are like Africa
(Vierges et inexplorées)
(Virgins and unexplored)
Certaines sont comme l'Amérique
Some are like America
(Ni vierges, ni explorées)
(Neither virgins nor unexplored)
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Europe
Some women are like Europe
(Ravagées mais pleines de charme)
(Ravaged but full of charm)
Certaines femmes sont comme l'Asie
Some women are like Asia
(Profondes et mistérieuses)
(Deep and mysterious)
E l'Océanie an? (Li pi du)
And Oceania? (It's the hardest)
Pou kisa?
Why?
Se fanm ki fè gè Kako, 1ère, 2ème Guerre Mondiale,
It's the women who went through the Kako, 1st, 2nd World Wars,
Gè 100 tan, Iran - Iraq, Malouines, se sa ki fè woy
100 years war, Iran-Iraq, Malvinas/Falkland Island war, that's what makes it tough
Se yon monopòl personne n'y va
It's a monopoly, no one's going there
Ki koze sa-a woy (Tout moun ap pale)
What's being said (Everyone's talking)
Pèsonn pap prale ki pawòl sa-a woy?
No one's going to tell what's being said?
Jenn ti fi kape grandi, fò kapab koute manman'w
When young girls grow up, they should listen to their mothers
Jenn ti fi kape grandi, fò kapab koute paran'w
When young girls grow up, they should listen to their parents
Se pa anyen nou gen avè'w lè n'ap chante mizik sa-a
We have nothing against you when we sing this music
Se les hommes ki si ekzijan
It's the men who demand it
Lè'w tande anba la vil pa bon yo pran rele
When you hear the things being whispered, it's not good
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
(I'd rather die than deal with it)
Ou ka trouve'm on jan oze men sepandan se verite ke m'ap pale
You may find me daring, but it's the truth I'm speaking
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
(I'd rather die than deal with it)
Yo di pito mwen trepase tan pou mwen ta pase
They say they'd rather see me dead than around
(Pito'm trepase woy tan pou'm ta pase woy)
(I'd rather die than deal with it)
Ti medam fè respè nou; tande paran nou.
Young women need to respect us, listen to our parents.
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cliniquedentairejulne6165
19 janvier 2024 et j’écoute toujours follement cette , ça me rappelle les années 2000s
@wesderliefede9250
Mpa janm bouke tandel wawww komsi mizik la vin pi bèl 2023 😍😘😍
@rosepinahenriquese8160
Ou fini avèm nan 5 continents ❤️🎧💃😍😍 tout music ki t sou album sa t bèl net yo pa janm pase mòd💕💓💓
@Supremejuvee
Ki non album sa antan mwen nan travay musik sa vin nan tet mwen
@DCzCarmelo
@@Supremejuvee le rele Let It Groove
@guerslybenjamin-ib7uq
Kiyès kap koute Mizik sa an plen 2023 menm jan avèm...
@nelsonphilistin605
Mizik saa chak mw tande'l se kòmsi se yon nouvo mizik. 5continents pou jusqu'à la fin du monde.
@josephedelyn6019
J'ecoute en 2020 et j'ecouterai en 2090 tout ki daccord yon like
@christienneaubourg9128
wap fe tout tan sa
@dieutantnickmc-ashleyalpho5866
Gen mizik se kounya yo t dwe fèt kounya yo TAP jwenn tt gloire yo , malerezman antouka m still la tj an 2021