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Featured languages: Bambara (Mamani Keïta), Fon (Fafa Ruffino), Bété (Dobet Gnahoré), Mooré (Kandy Guira).
Transcription:
Hey, MUSOYA!
Hey, MUSOYA !
An b’aw de ma duniya musow ma
Musoya kana kè fili jila ye
An b’aw de ma farafina musow ma
Musoya kana kè fili jila ye
Den nadon musow wa?
Cè bonya musow wa?
Furu musow wa?
Furu bonya musow wa?
Chorus
Iye iye, a ye wuli, iye iye iye
Afrika muso
Iye iye, a ye wuli, iye iye iye
Afrika muso
Gbohan han gbogbohan han
Gbohan han gbogbohan han
Minta golo golo soko, soko
Wele iye wele iye
Pih hê djibà, mounan mounan han
A’pih m’nou, mounan mounan ho lé
Ah blini man mounan m’mi
Ah blini ah blini, mounan mounan
Ah blini ah blini
M’ma hoo, ad ya tond so tinga yé
M’baba, woo oÿ, M’ma, woo oÿ
Paga nan fange page
Paga nan songe paga
Paga nan déeg paga
Paga nan tip paga
Paga na fange page
Paga nan songe paaga yaa ée
Chorus
- - -
English Translation:
Hey, WOMANHOOD!
Hey, WOMANHOOD!
We’re calling on women from around the world
Womanhood cannot be dismissed just like that
We’re calling on women from Africa
Womanhood cannot be dismissed just like that
Are we talking about women who care for children?
Women who respect their husbands?
Women who are in a marriage?
The ones who respect their wedding vows?
Chorus
Iye iye, rise up, iye iye iye
African woman
Iye iye, rise up, iye iye iye
African woman
The queen is out, the queen is out
The queen is out, the queen is out
Kneel before the queen
Wele iye wele iye
Life loves joy, let’s be happy
Joy, joy, let’s be happy
Let’s enjoy, let’s be joyful
Enjoy life, let’s have fun
Enjoy life
Mom yes, it's ours, the world
Dad, yes, Mom, yes, that’s it
It’s the woman who will save the woman
It's the woman who will help the woman
It’s the woman who will welcome the woman
It’s the woman who will take care of the woman
It’s the woman who will save the woman
It’s the woman who will help the woman, oh yes
Chorus
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2. |
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‘Murakoze’ and ‘matonde’ mean ‘thank you’ in the Kinyarwanda and Dondo languages respectively.
Lingala Transcription:
Opanguisi maya miso na ngaï
Osokoli elongui na na ngaï
Na miso ya bato, na koleka, bako tala ngaï
Na miso ya bato, na koleka, bako mona ngaï
Na tondi yo, na tondi yo
Nazongue sela yo nini
Na pessa yo nini
Na loba na yo nini
Chorus:
Murakoze,
Ndungu yangu,
Matonde (x4)
Yo nde olokotaka bana
Na se ya mabele
Yo nde olokotaka bana
Nakati ya poto poto
Yo lakissi nzela
Okomissi ye moto
Yo lakissi nzela
Okomissi ye moto
E mpe yo okomissi ye moto
Akomi pe ko nguenga
Chorus (x4)
Sema ka sema iye
Zakala ka zakala bebo
Zebola ka zebola iye
Chorus (x8)
- - -
English Translation:
You wiped away my tears
You washed my face
As I pass, people look at me
In people’s eyes, I became visible
I thank you, I thank you
How shall I repay you?
What can I give you?
What can I tell you?
Chorus:
Thank you,
My confident,
Thank you (x4)
You, you pick us up
From the ground
You, you lift your children up
From the mud
You showed the way
You made them respected
You showed the way
You made them respected
You really made them someone
To shine in front of people
Chorus (x4)
She blesses us
She is seated on the throne
She walks with elegance
Chorus (x8)
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3. |
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Bambara/Ewe transcription:
Sòn bè mògòla sòn bè yalalala
Sòntigi n’a ka sòntigiya bè yala
(Obe mi se, obe le?)
Sòn bè mògòla sòn b’an kumalawla
Sòntigi n’a ka sòntigiya bè yala
(Obe mi se, obe le?)
Sòn bè mògòla sòn bè bolokolonna
Sòntigi n’a ka sòntigiya bè yala
(Obe mi se, obi mi se?)
Chorus:
Sòn bè bèe la
Sòntigi n’a
Ka sòntigiya bè yala (x2)
N’balimaw yo an ka tasi dòni
Sòn bè mògòla sòn bè taamalala
Sòntigi n’a ka sòntigiya bè yala
(Obe mi se?)
N’balimaw yo an ka jalaki dòni
Sòn bè mògòla sòn bè yalalala
Sòntigi n’a ka sòntigiya bè yala
(Obe mi se?)
Ko ne taara Bamako dugu bèe yala
Olu n’u sònkolon bè nyòanna
Ko ne taara Mòpti dugu bèe yala
Olu n’u sònkolon bè nyòanna
Ko ne taara Faransi dugu bèe yala
Olu n’u sònkolon bè nyòanna
Ko ne taara Eròpu dugu bèe yala
Olu n’u sònkolon bè nyòanna
Chorus (x4)
Tiki tiki tiki tiki TCHITÉ!
Tiki tiki tiki TCHITÉ!
Obe mi se, obe mi lon
Tchoko tchoko, ela gnon la
Obe mi se, obe mi lon
Tchoko tchoko, OBE MI SE
Chorus (x4)
Sòn bè bèe la
Ne ko sòn bè bèe la
Sòn bè bèe la
Ne ko sòn bè bèe la
- - -
English Translation:
No one has more flaws than an outgoing person
People with flaws carry them everywhere they go
(They say you heard us, you get it?)
No one has more flaws than a chatty person
People with flaws carry them everywhere they go
(They say you heard us, you get it?)
No one has more flaws than a poor person
People with flaws carry them everywhere they go
(They say you heard us, you you heard us?)
Chorus:
Everyone has flaws
People with flaws
Carry them everywhere they go (x2)
Brothers, let’s reflect on this for a moment
No one has more flaws than a traveler
People with flaws carry them everywhere they go
(They say you heard us?)
Brothers, let’s accept the accusations for a moment
No one has more flaws than an outgoing person
People with flaws carry them everywhere they go
(They say you heard us?)
I travelled through the whole city of Bamako
Everyone there has their own flaws
I travelled through the whole city of Mopti
Everyone there has their own flaws
I travelled through the whole of France
Everyone there has their own flaws
I travelled through the whole of Europe
Everyone there has their own flaws
Chorus (x4)
Get up, get up, get up, get up, RISE!
Get up, get up, get up, RISE!
They say you heard us, and you like it?
No matter what, we’re gonna make it
They say you heard us, and you like it?
No matter what, YOU HEARD US?
Chorus (x4)
Everyone has flaws
I say everyone has flaws
Everyone has flaws
I say everyone has flaws
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Bété transcription:
Chorus:
Gui n'kah ouh bli
Gui, djibah sôh
N’wouwanni
Gui, djibah sôh
Nan tih glinion n' djiba hou
N'kah diba n' wannie izé
N'bah gli, nan m' nihin mounan
Nan djiba djibou guiahou
N'kah dilla mounan (x7)
Chorus
- - -
English Translation:
Chorus:
Come and kiss me
Come love me again
Speak in my ear
Come love me again
I love your sweetness
I like to feel your love
I am filled with joy when you are there
Your love makes me dance
I love when you look at me (x7)
Chorus
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5. |
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Languages: Bété (Dobet Gnahoré), Bambara (Mamani Keïta), Fon (Fafa Ruffino), Lingala and Dondo (Alvie Bitemo), Mooré (Kandy Guira).
Bambara transcription:
Mon zouha pih he, êh zoua pièh pih
Mon zouha pih heyi, êh zoua pièh pih
N’wonnon ho ho ho n’wonnon
Êh zouha pih hi
Chorus:
Kuma fò,
Musow bè kuma min fò
Kuma lakolon tè
Ayé man fa mi sê nou man vo ayé
Kuma fò,
Musow bè kuma min fò
Kuma lakolon tè
Iye iye aye mi sê nam man vo
Pih nou na n´wonni
Mika mika mika mika mika
Mon souha pih
Mika mika mika mika mika
Ani wou wê mi gan djê?
Gnon nou lê sité bo si adokin
Enangnon koko
Ani wou wê mi gan djê?
Chorus
O ngue ngui saka bomoye
O ngue ngui saka bomoye
Longa nkento longa ngäta
Longa nkento longa nza
Telama, telama, telema
Wa bonga bu kento buankuo
Nke, nke, nke, nkento, telama telama
Wa bonga bu kento buankuo
Ko ne taara bayanfan
Bayanfan mògòw bèe ko
Muso ye hòròn ye
Ko ne taara tilebi
Tilebi mògòw bèe ko
Muso ye hòròn ye
Mam ya mam man’m m’sondate
M’pana le sake man mam ob sondate
Mam ya mam man’m m’sondate
M’pana le sak yeee
Chorus
Kuma fò
Musow bè kuma min fò
Kuma lakolon tè
Mam pa mobile pana sak ye
N’wonnon N’wonnon n’wonnon
Opessa ka elikia
Opessa ka elikia
Opessa ka elikia
Opessa ka bomoyi
Longa nkento longa ngäta
Longa nkento longa nza
- - -
English Translation:
She preserves life, gives the first breath
She preserves life, gives the first breath
Woman oh, oh woman
She gives the first breath
Chorus:
Whatever they say
Whatever women have to say
Is worth listening to
Life is hard, I fight with courage, let me be
Whatever they say
Whatever women have to say
Is worth listening to
You know, my life is mine, so give me space
The world was created by a woman
Mika mika mika mika mika
She preserves life
Mika mika mika mika mika
You wonder how we’re gona make it?
We decided to gather our strength and fight
Whatever it costs
You wonder how we’ll make it?
Chorus
You light up life
You light up life
To educate a woman is to educate a village
To educate a girl is to educate the world
Get up, get up, get up
Regain your feminine strength
Woman, woman, woman, get up, get up
Regain your feminine strength
I travelled to the North
People from the North told me
That women have dignity
I travelled to the West
People from the West told me
That women have dignity
I belong to myself, I’m free to do what I like
I will not accept what others want me to be
I belong to myself, I’m free to do what I like
I will never accept it anymore
Chorus
Whatever they say
Whatever women have to say
Is worth listening to
I will not be driven like a car
Woman, woman, woman
You give hope
You give hope
You give hope
You give life
To educate a woman is to educate a village
To educate a girl is to educate the world
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Bambara transcription:
Ko fala yo, fala bè kasi kè
Ko fala yo, fatan fala bè kasi kè
Ko fala yo, fala bè kasi la
Ko fala yo, batan fala bè kasi kè
N’ko fala bè kasi kè
Fatani fala bè kasi la
N’ko fala bè kasi kè
Batan fala bè kasi la
Ko fala yo, fala bè kasi kè
Ko fala yo, fatan fala bè kasi kè
Falatòdeniw naani de (x4)
Ko fala bè kasi kè,
N’ko fala bè kasi kè
N’ko fala bè kasi kè
Batan fala bè kasi kè
Ko fala yo, fala bè kasi la
Ko fala yo, batan fala bè kasi kè
Cètani, dentani
Jigikuntani fala bè kasi la
Ko fala bè kasi kè,
Cètani fala bè kasi la
Fala bè kasi kè,
Batani fala bè kasi la
Falatòdeniw naani de (x4)
- - -
English Translation:
The orphan, the orphan cries
The orphan, the fatherless orphan cries
The orphan, the orphan is crying
The orphan, the motherless orphan cries
I say, the orphan cries
The fatherless child is crying
I say, the orphan cries
The motherless child is crying
The orphan, the orphan cries
The orphan, the fatherless orphan cries
Please look after the orphan children (x4)
The orphan cries
I say the orphan cries
I say the orphan cries
The motherless orphan cries
The orphan, the orphan is crying
The orphan, the motherless orphan cries
Husbandless, childless
The hopeless orphan is crying
The orphan cries,
The husbandless woman is crying
The orphan cries,
The motherless child is crying
Please look after the orphan children (x4)
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7. |
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Jula transcription:
U ko, ni kuma tuma sera
Ni ma kuma
I kana kuma bilen
Kuma tuma bè tèmènna
U ko le, ni kuma tuma sera
Ni ma kuma
I kana kuma bilen
Kuma tuma bè tèmènna
Chorus:
Kanu ye fila ye
Muso kanyi kanu la
Kanu ye fila ye
Muso kanyi kanu la (x2)
O ye tinyè ye
N’ko ni bè mògò fè
Ni m’a banba k’a fò a ye hèee
Ni m’a fò a ye,
A b’a kè cogodi k’a lòn?
Dunuya tè so ye
Lahara fana tè taa yòrò ye
Ni m’a fò a ye
Ni m’a fò a ye, a t’a dòn
Dunuya tè so ye
Lahara fana tè taa yòrò ye
Ni m’a fò a ye, a b’a kè cogodi k’a dòn
Kanu ye fila ye
Muso kanyi kanu la
Chorus (x4)
Kanu la
- - -
English Translation:
They say, when the time comes to speak
And you don’t speak
Don’t bother speaking afterwards
For the time to speak has passed
They said, when the time comes to speak
And you don’t speak
Don’t bother speaking afterwards
For the time to speak has passed
Chorus:
It takes two to be in love
A woman is good at loving
It takes two to be in love
A woman is good at loving (x2)
That’s true
I say, if you love someone,
You must have the courage to tell them
If you do not tell them,
How would they know about it?
Life is difficult on earth
But no one wants to go to the hereafter
If you don’t tell them
If you don’t tell them, they will not know it
Life is difficult on earth
But no one wants to go to the hereafter
If you do not tell them, they will not know it
It takes two to be in love
A woman is good at loving
Chorus (x4)
Good at loving
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Fafa uses four languages in this song: Bariba, Dendi, Fon and Yoruba.
Transcription:
Sako diwa sùnon
Domi do oun win nin
Do oun bara non wan ni
Sako diwa sùnon
Iyé mansa win nin wan ni
Gnan yo tùnù ko kê ï
Oun ko wé bôrô yo sê
Ho I hounou tam têrê
Chorus:
I kùrùman kùrùman
Wélé yé i kùrùman kùrùman
Nou é gni miton élô
Hêssi mandémin énan wa
Dagbé dé gni mi ton a élo wé lélé
Hêssi man demin enan wa tchêtchêmin
Ha ya ya ya ya
Kini baroo
Kini baro, yo yo yo
- - -
English Translation:
Let’s celebrate
Because our life in the past
Was completely different from now
Let’s celebrate
Because life today has totally changed
The mothers are standing
For their little daughter’s rights
Yes, we are not slaves anymore
Chorus:
Let’s get together, get together
Wélé yé, let’s get together
All that is yours,
You gonna get it back, don’t worry
All your blessings, your joy, your life
Don’t worry, you’re gonna get it all back
Ha ya ya ya ya
Keep on fighting
Keep on fighting, yo yo yo
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Pidgin transcription:
Plenty people dey wonder
How I wan come dey live my life
As I kon comot from dem face
Dem kon dey vex for where I dey
Dem try to find me, but they can’t
Dem try to stop me, all in my head
These thugs, these people
These lies, deceivers
This loss of this world
These cries must leave this
Oh please tell me that I might fit find
The cure to my insanity
Oga mi you fit give me
Something wey I fit loving
Cause e don wey I dey find
Tay solution to di mata
Cause e don tay wey I dey find
Solution to di mata
These thugs, these people
These lies, deceivers
This loss of this world
These cries must leave the eyes
- - -
English Translation:
Many people ponder
On the way I live my life
Despite paying them no mind
They still get upset
They look for my attention
They attack me and my ideas
These thugs, these people
These lies, deceivers
This loss of this world
These cries must leave this
Oh please tell me that I will find
The cure to my insanity
Can you please give me
Something to give me joy
I have been searching for
A solution to the matter
I have been searching for
A solution to the matter
These thugs, these people
These lies, deceivers
This loss of this world
These cries must leave the eyes
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‘Amahoro’ means ‘peace’ in the Kinyarwanda language.
Lari Transcription:
Mama wa ndombi ngué longa nga
Mama wa ndombi ngué tunga nga
Telama wa tungué
Telama mama, telema ee
Telema longué, telema aa teleama ee
Chorus:
Ah kiesé, kizunu
Ah kiesé, amahoro (x4)
Kufuema ngandi, o zuna nga
Kufuema ngandi, o zuna ngé
Kuta nga kutima
Kuta nga wa kota muka, kutima
Wanga mbembua nku ya kutima ye
Ku dila ndyé kusuna masangasa ma kué
Ku dila ndyé kusuna masangasa ma kué
Telama wa sambila
Telama wa lomba aa
Zaba zaba mukati diakué
Hanki hanki hanki zololo mwana
Hanki hanki zololo ee
Chorus (x8)
Kibakala kiaku wa yenda
Telama wa simba
Kibakala kiaku wa yenda
Telama wa simba
Kibakala kiaku wa diata
Wa diata, wa diata,
Wa diata, wa nunga, wa nungué
Chorus (x8)
- - -
English Translation:
Mama Africa, you teach
Mama Africa, you build
Stand tall, build
Stand tall, Mama, stand tall
Stand tall, teach, stand tall
Chorus:
Joy, tranquility
Joy, peace (x4)
Don’t get angry often, calm down
Don’t get angry often, take it easy
Calm in your heart
Put calm in your heart, calm down
Listen to your inner voice
Don’t cry, wipe away your tears
Don’t cry, wipe away your tears
Stand tall and pray
Stand tall and ask
You must know from your strength within
What, what, what it is you desire
What, what it is you desire
Chorus (x8)
Walk on with strength
Stand tall, be strong
Walk on with strength
Stand tall, be strong
Walk on, be fierce
Be fierce, be fierce
Walk and be victorious
Chorus (x8)
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11. |
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Bété transcription:
Blé blou
Man nan wouloumi
Wouloumi, wouloumi, wouloumi
N'yê guié ouh gba n gliman
N'yê guié ouh gba n gliman
Blé blou
Man nan wouloumi
Wouloumi, wouloumi, wouloumi
Man blégnii, man gli tili
Man blégnii, man gli tili
Nan tih glini Blé bah
Nan zouzonou deh bah
Nan tih glinion bah
Man napêha lilé
Blé blou
Man nan wouloumi
Wouloumi, wouloumi, wouloumi
Man blégnii, man gli tili
- - -
English Translation:
There is a place
In my mind
My mind, my mind, my mind
I close my eyes and I’m there
I close my eyes and I’m there
There is a place
In my mind
My mind, my mind, my mind
It’s calm, it’s peaceful
It’s calm, it’s peaceful
This is my place of peace
This is my refuge
It’s my sweetness
There is light
There is a place
In my mind
My mind, my mind, my mind
It’s calm, it’s peaceful
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12. |
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Bambara & Pidgin transcription:
Musoya, musoya t’è yala kolon ye
Musoya t’è yala kolon ye
Musoya, musoya t’è yalaaa kolon ye
Musoya t’è yala kolon ye
Muso de bè bannaw bange
Muso de bè walijuw bange
Chorus:
And I no sey we no fit conti
Continue the way wey we dey do
And I no sey we no fit conti
Continue the way wey we dey do
Musoya t’è yala kolon ye
Iye, k’anw bè musow wele
Ko mandi dankaden na
Musoya, musoya t’è yala kolon ye
Iye, k’anw bè musow wele
Ko mandi dankaden na
Muso de bè bannaw bange
Muso de bè walijuw bange
- - -
English Translation:
Womanhood, womanhood is not an easy walk
Womanhood is not an easy walk
Womanhood, womanhood is not an easy walk
Womanhood is not an easy walk
It’s a woman who gives birth to powerful men
It’s a woman who gives birth to great scholars
Chorus:
And I know that we cannot continue
Continue living like this
And I know that we cannot continue
Continue living like this
Womanhood is not an easy walk
Iye, we call on women
No one succeeds without blessings
Womanhood, womanhood is not an easy walk
Iye, we call on women
No one succeeds without blessings
It’s a woman who gives birth to powerful men
It’s a woman who gives birth to great scholars
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released February 16, 2024
Produced and mixed by Jacknife Lee.
Les Amazones d’Afrique’s vocals recorded at 129H Studio, Paris by Nicolas Sélambin and David Videau, assisted by Tom Dekel. Initial vocal sessions with Mamani, Fafa, Dobet and Kandy between 4th and 6th April co-ordinated by Nadjib Ben Bella. Further vocal sessions with Nneka (12 November 2022), Mamani (22 March 2023), Kandy (24 March 2023) and Alvie (20 March & 3 April 2023) co-ordinated by Valerie Malot. Stephany Guerra Mayán recorded at Republica Record, Havana on 18 August 2023. Engineered by Daniel H. Pausa and David Reyes Corzo. Jacknife Lee’s parts recorded at The Garage, Topanga Canyon, California and N 5th St, Williamsburg, New York. Engineered by Jacknife Lee. Editing on ‘Esperence’ by Liam Hayden.
Mastered by Tim Oliver at Real World Studios.
All songs published by 3D Family Publishing & France Media Monde - RFI Talent / Sokem Beber (PRS / ASCAP North America) administered by Kobalt. Bambara/Jula transcriptions and translations by Djoliba Language Services. Pidgin transcriptions and translations by Chinonso Ihekire. Other transcriptions and translations by Les Amazones d’Afrique.
Art direction: Cheikh Kébé, assisted by Madjiguene Samb & Marcel Ganao
Styling: Maison Kébé (dresses), Molibo Sow
Hair & make-up: Mously Kébé, Marly Akpes & Marie Vallée
Photography by Karen Paulina Biswell
Set design: Fatou Diawara, assisted by Mborika Dioume
Lighting: Victor Laborde
Design: Oli Bentley
Artistic production and original idea: Valerie Malot
This album is dedicated to Adda Marina, born September 2 2023, for you to join the Musow Danse.
Special thanks to: all of our families and friends for backing us on this journey; Crystal, Ruben and Felix for their love and support; Nathalie Malot for her trust; Fabrice Gogendeau for his hard work and faithfulness; Hyojung Kim for her rigour; Cynthia Rambaud for her loyalty; Nadjib Ben Bella for her organisation and patience; Madjigeune Samb for her energy; Karen Paulina Biswell for her vision; Peter Gabriel and all of the team at Real World; Jacknife Lee for his incredible talent, creativity and taste; Jill Hollywood and Melissa Garner Lee; Edwin Sedjro for his dynamic visuals; Daniel Lieuze for his unconditional support; Cheikh Kébé for his amazing dresses, the talented Nahomie Guerra Mayans for sharing her stunning voice; Thierry Fournel and Frank Baya for their smiles and skills; Gregoire Hugé for his confidence and ideas.
