What "Gongo Aso" Means (information/comments and a 2012 video of Nigerian singer 9ice performing "Gongo Aso")

kennis music, Oct. 31, 2021
-snip-
Total number of views as of August 27, 2022 at 11:27 AM - 29,280

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the 2008 hit Nigerian record "Gongo Aso". 

This post showcases a YouTube video of 9ice performing "Gongo Aso". This post also presents definitions for the term "gongo aso" that I retrieved from various online sources.

My Editor's Note is included in this post. That note presents the lines from 9ice's "Gongo Aso"  that include the term "gongo aso". My Editor's Note also presents the line from Ghanaian singer's Camidoh's hit 2022 song "Sugarcane" that includes the term "gongo aso".

In addition my Editor's note presents my guesses about the different meanings of "gongo aso" in those two songs based on the information that I read online about that term. Additions and corrections are very welcome.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/08/2008-nigerian-afropop-song-gongo-aso-by.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of Nigerian singer 9ice's record "Gongo Aso" and presents information about 9ice.

The original lyrics for "Gongo Aso" are included in this post along with information and comments about that song.

The content of this post is presented for linguistics, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to 9ice for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who were associated with that record and video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This information is retrieved from various online sources. These sources may not agree about what "gongo aso" means.

It's likely that the meaning of the term "gongo aso" changed over time and/or that "gongo aso" means (meant) different things depending on who used it and when it was used.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

Gongo Aso in 9ice's song
9ice may have changed the meaning of "gongo aso" in his 2008 song, Here are the lines from that song which include the term "gongo aso". (These lyrics are repeated in that song.) 

Chorus
"Gongo aso, kutupu ahu, anywhere I deh now"

Verse #1
Gongo aso, you know am on fire no be beans talk
Gongo aso, you know eni foju ana woku ebora abolaso

Verse #2

Tin baje demi demi, aiye gbo oorun mo
Gongo aso

Verse 3
Gongo aso, otiso, ewo ile ewo enu oko
Gongo aso, otiso, see people on the floor
Gongo aso, otiso, my personality no matter at all
Gongo aso, otiso, all i want is catch some fun
Gongo aso, tin ba nsile
Gongo aso, if i buy bentley
Gongo aso, kilode
Gongo aso, eje kin jaiye mi

**
There are no Yoruba to English Google translate results for any of these lyrics except for the term "kutupu ahu" = "I'm sorry". 

That probably means that those non English words are from Nigerian Pidgin English.

Disclaimer: I don't speak Yoruba or Nigerian Pidgin English. However, based on the article excerpt and comments defining "gongo aso" that are quoted in this pancocojams post below, I wonder if "gongo aso" in this song means something like "Listen Up!" ("Beat the drum to spread the word"/ "Let everyone know or "Let everybody hear this").

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"Gongo Aso" in the 2022 song "Sugarcane"
Ghanaian singer Camidoh's hit song "Sugarcane" includes the term "gongo aso": "Girl you never know say you're kongo* aso/Man dem suffer to find your love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmidK8z4YzE

*I've also seen this word spelled "gongo" in the lyrics for Camidoh's song.

Based on the meanings of "gongo aso" tha were given in the nairaland.com discussion thread (that are found below) and based on that line in Camidoh's song, my guess is that "gongo aso" means something like "someone who people talk about" (someone who people have something good to say about/someone who attracts positive attention)

Additions and corrections are welcome.
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ARTICLE EXCERPT
From https://chatterbox.vivaldi.net/2008/06/18/gongo-aso/. June 18, 2008 by Chatterbox
"GONGO ASO

9ice

The latest Nigerian hit that is driving a lot of urban young people crazy around the world is GONGO ASO by 9ice. On YouTube there are several video versions and they are impressive too. In fact, if 9ice is not careful his fans may produce a better video a la YouTube. Methinks, 9ice should add subtitles to his video for the sake of crazy international fans who do not understand YORUBA language otherwise GONGO ASO…

What is the meaning of Gongo Aso? Normally, it is a phrase used when a person is angry to warn the enemy of future revenge but 9ice did not used it that way. He used it to prove his originality in the music industry and in support of the poor masses.

It was also used to support the ghetto youngsters in order to show how they intend to hit stardom if given the opportunity. Because of the initial meaning of GONGO ASO it was only normal for people to want to listen to the song and after hearing the powerful lyrics like ‘I’m a ghetto soldier, khaki no be leather’ and yarn for more.

His poetic message was charismatic and encouraging e.g.

Life is too short/
You Know ooo/
Nobody knows tomorrow/
Dance away your sorrow/
Do like no tomorrow.”…

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SELECTED COMMENTS

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.

From https://www.nairaland.com/190987/what-does-gongo-aso-mean
1. What does Gongo Aso mean? by shilling(f): 4:09pm On Nov 03, 2008

Ok, so this is quite embarassing. But, I've been hearing about 9ice and Gongo Aso but I never really bothered listening to the song. But, since he just won the MOBOS, I decided to download it. I love the beats and I love the beats and his energy, but what's he talking about? My pidgin isn't that good either so, I just want to know because I'm really loving that song but I'll just like to know what it means.

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2. Re: What does Gongo Aso mean? by kanayo74(m): 2:12pm On Nov 04, 2008
"what he is just trying to say in the song is that what ever he does people will talk or more relatiely the talking drum will talk and bring it to the hearing of people, that he is no more a secret and he is in the open now"

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3. What does Gongo Aso mean? by lurv: 5:16am On Dec 25, 2008
"Gongoso means "Something is about to happen"

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4. Re: What does Gongo Aso mean? by dayokanu(m): 8:28am On Dec 25, 2008
..."Gongo Aso means E go happen. Something big would happen"

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5. Re: What does Gongo Aso mean? by ak001: 12:11am On Dec 28, 2008
"Gongo aso means, when you achieve success

 in endeavour you will dance and you

 will let's everybody aware of you success

 so that everybody will rejoice with you

 Gongo means Drum

 Aso means you will ear beat of the drum"
-snip-
"ear" = probably a typo for the English word "hear"

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6. Re: What does Gongo Aso mean? by A40(m): 1:25am On Dec 28, 2008
"It means rolling out the drums for a successful event could also mean something suprising and unexpected"

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From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5u6eYq-UtA
Vusumuzi Mathumo-Githendu, 2017
"what does gongo aso mean? what language is it? am from south africa"

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Reply
Jimmy Steeve, 2017
"Vusumuzi Mathumo-Githendu something spectacular is going to happen when you hit a lotto in a simple term and the language is yoruba language from western Nigeria"

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Reply
Chris Oghenetega Maloney, 2019
"Jimmy Steeve bebeloo u don reach lol 😆"

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.,

Visitor comments are welcome.

(2008 Nigerian Afropop Song) "Gongo Aso" by 9ice (Video, Lyrics, Information, & Comments)

Ayo Adeniyi , Sep 21, 2009 
-snip-
Total number of views as of August 27, 2022 10:15 AM = 1,060,758

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the 2008 hit Nigerian record "Gongo Aso". 

This post showcases a YouTube video of  9ice's record "Gongo Aso" and presents information about 9ice.

The original lyrics for "Gongo Aso" are included in this post along with information and comments about that song.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-gongo-aso-means.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of 9ice performing "Gongo Aso". This post also presents definitions for the term "gongo aso" that I retrieved from various online sources.

My Editor's Note is included in that post. That note presents the lines from 9ice's "Gongo Aso"  that include the term "gongo aso". My Editor's Note also presents the line from Ghanaian singer's Camidoh's hit 2022 song "Sugarcane" that includes the term "gongo aso". 

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to 9ice for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who were associated with that record and video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

****
INFORMATION ABOUT 9ICE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9ice
"9ice, born Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande (born 17 January 1980) is a Nigerian musician, songwriter and dancer. He is known for his powerful use of the Yoruba language in his music as well as his proverbial lyrics and unique style of delivery.

Early life

9ice was born… in Ogbomosho, Oyo State in Western Nigeria. He grew up in shomolu Bariga suburbs of Lagos…

Career

In 1996, 9ice recorded his first demo titled Risi de Alagbaja, but it was not until 2000 that he released his first official solo song Little Money.[4][3]

In 2008, 9ice released the single Gongo Aso... He went on to win the Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.[6][7]

Gongo Aso won him four further awards at the 2009 edition of the Hip Hop World Awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja: the Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and the Best Rap in Pop Album categories.[8]

In 2020, 9ice released another album entitled "Tip of The Iceberg: Episode 1"[9] to top his previously released albums. He is the Founder and CEO of his own music record label Alapomeji Ancestral Record. [1]”….

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LYRICS - GONGO ASO

Chorus

Gongo aso, kutupu ahu, anywhere I deh now
Gongo aso, kutupu ahu, any show I go now
Ajisebi Oyo Laari, Oyo o'shebi Baba eni kankan
I be double now , aiye nlo, e' o ri nkan

Verse 1

Gongo aso, you know am on fire no be beans talk
Gongo aso, you know eni foju ana woku ebora abolaso
This time no dulling
Everywhere weh i deh na party
Hennessy nlo, Moet nlo, Baccardi nlo
We no go stop, till the break of da dawn bebe nlo
Forget say you owe money
Call your pady dem make una join body
Chikitos deh there dem wan follow judi
Party jolly, jolly party,
Fidi gbodi, [make u] shark scordi
Make ur eye dirty
From now till eternity

Repeat Chorus

Verse 2

U be government worker u collect salary
Kamari kin ma gbomi gbin, kin ma jaye ori
Before I play lotto no be me
You know am ghetto solder
Kaaki no be leather
Every friday for sandra's bar
Laroda ojo that kain weather
Life is too short you know
Nobody knows tomorrow
Dance away your sorrow
Do like no tommorrow
Money speaking, speaking
Any idea waiting, waiting
Tin baje demi demi, aiye gbo oorun mo
Gongo aso

Repeat Chorus

Verse 3

Gongo aso, otiso, ewo ile ewo enu oko
Gongo aso, otiso, see people on the floor
Gongo aso, otiso, my personality no matter at all
Gongo aso, otiso, all i want is catch some fun
Gongo aso, tin ba nsile
Gongo aso, if i buy bentley
Gongo aso, kilode
Gongo aso, eje kin jaiye mi
Eje kin saye mi
Jaiye mi, saiye mi

Repeat Chorus

Outro

E juru, e juru, e juru, e juru
E juru, e juru, Mama e juru
9ice, u no understand
Bebe nlo


Source - omoovie(f), Nov 06, 2008, https://www.nairaland.com/190987/what-does-gongo-aso-mean
"What does Gongo Aso mean? by omoovie(f): 4:48pm On Nov 06, 2008"
-snip-
omoovie wrote "Here's the song (courtesy of Museke.com)". She also wrote "If you want me to translate the pidgin parts let me know." However, there’s no pidgin translation of that song in that discussion thread. The lyrics for that song are in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin English, and English.

https://genius.com/9ice-gongo-aso-lyrics for 9ice's "Gongo Aso" is the same as the lyrics that are given above except for this three line intro:
"Yeahhhh
I'm back at y'all
I'm back at y'all"

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ARTICLE EXCERPTS ABOUT 9ICE'S SONG & ALBUM "GONGO ASO"
Excerpt #1
From https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/throwbackthursday-9ices-gongo-aso-album-eternally-carves-his-name-into-the-place-of/m7qbv6w "9ice's 'Gongo Aso' album eternally carves his name into the place of music legends", by Ehis Ohunyon, July 26, 2018
"10 years ago, 9ice released his sophomore album, 'Gongo Aso', which delivered not just hit songs but evergreen anthems.

A year earlier, 9ice had released his debut album, ''The Certificate'', which did quite well announcing him on the scene as the album included songs like 'Ganga Man', 'Little Money' and 'Make Dem Talk', but it was not until he dropped the ''Gongo Aso'' album in 2008, that his status rose to level of music greats.

[…]

The Bariga bred artist started his journey far back as 1996 as a Fuji artist but as the Pop scene came alive in the late 90s, 9ice began to take inspiration from icons like Wyclef.

This helped him re-invent his style, featuring a rich presence of his Yoruba dialect and proverbs mixed with contemporary sounds, carving a unique sound for himself.

[…]

The album titled song, 'Gongo Aso' became an anthem, a joint about him been the life of the party with an enchanting beat, one effortlessly delivered and filled with cultural references.”…

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Excerpt #2
From https://thenativemag.com/the-shuffle-bachelors-life-gongo-aso/ THE SHUFFLE: “BACHELOR’S LIFE” EXEMPLIFIES THE TIMELESSNESS OF 9ICE’S ‘GONGO ASO’ 

Featuring Reminisce, XP and Six O

Written by Dennis Ade Peter - 16.Mar.2022
"In 2007, 9ice wasn’t an unknown commodity. In addition to his indelible feature on Ruggedman’s seminal Nigerian rap smash, “Ruggedy Baba,” the Lagos-raised singer and songwriter dropped his debut album, ‘Certificate’, to mild reception, even spawning multiple cult classic hits like “Little Money” and “Ganja Man.” While he was recognisable to keen listeners, at the time, he wasn’t quite popular to the wider audience to validate that stardom. Part of that is because he came up in an era where artist couldn’t skip steps on their way to widespread notoriety.

In hindsight, that first LP was a forecast of what was to come, a raw and vibrant mash-up of Yoruba Folk adages, Fuji-indented melodies, and vivid Hip-Hop influences, all held together by that guttural voice that squeezed out the elemental feelings and memories behind his stimulating writing. Building on these artistic axioms, 9ice fully arrived the following year with ‘Gongo Aso’, an album that stunned Nigerian music and all of Afropop with its overall ingenuity, merging aspirational grit, folksy soulfulness, measured bravado, and a booming sonic canvas.

Fourteen years later, calling ‘Gongo Aso’ a classic album feels like an undersell. 9ice, greatly assisted by main producer ID Cabasa, delivered one of the most essential, and one of the greatest records in the history of Nigerian music. To the latter point, greatness is usually attached to impact, and only a handful of albums are on the same scale of impact as 9ice’s sophomore. Led off by its titanic title track, nearly every other song off ‘Gongo Aso’ became hugely popular—“every other track became a single,” Osagie Alonge had once said while discussing the album on his podcast, ‘A Music in Time’.”…

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS EMBEDDED YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD

Numbers added for referencing purposes only. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5u6eYq-UtA

2016
1. Leanne Sono
"I first heard this song late 2009 at an Afro Caribbean party in CARDIFF WALES, still to date its such a TUNE... never gets old..."

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2017
2. olabanjo fashakin
"Gongo aso track is a very  nice song. it was well composed by 9ice----Bolore. it was blend of juju, ijinle yoruba, rapp & disco vibes.

kidos to 9ice for coming up with a master classic song. "

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3. Adesola Ogundimu
"Sick beat! All these years and I still know the lyrics by heart."

**
4. Toyin Afolabi
"Shai! This song,if you don't know the lyrics back then,you not in town/Nigeria...even when my mum asked me to cooked and this song played,I dropped the food and go dance....😂😂 shai! Even when principal talk for assembly ,our last comments will be Gongoaso...principal will kill tomorrow😂😂...this song reminds me of old days"

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2018
5. Just Emeka
"If there was one song that got the entire Nigeria jumping - it was this song. I don't think any song has had that same effect. Everybody was jamming gongo aso. When I say everybody, I meant everybody. Classic tune!!!"

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Just Emeka
6. "Do me no reach Gonga Aso - when you have crowd from Kano and Katsina shouting Gongo Aso and spitting the lyrics in Yoruba - you know sey you don scatter land"

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Reply
7. dennis chande, 2021
"@Just Emeka  I think Youtube views don't tell the whole story how big a song is. Gongo aso is a huge tune"

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Reply
8. Just Emeka, 2021
"@dennis chande  it was a massive tune. I served in the North when it was released and I saw Northerners bursting their dance move. It was that huge. The country was dancing to Gongo Aso. It was feverish.  Only few songs had that effect. Send down the rain by Majek Fashek was another."

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Reply
9. Sadiya Saleh, 2021
"You are right. I am a northerner and this song was loved even though we don't understand what they were saying in Yoruba. While "do me" was only popular with the youth,this song was loved by basically all age group."
-snip-
The comment about Nigerian duo P-Square's song "Do Me" was in response to an earlier comment that "Do Me" was more popular than "Gongo Aso".

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Reply
10. Andre3000fan 123456, 2022
"FACTS!!! I was about 5-6 yrs old when this came out and I distinctly remember everyone (myself included) running to the dance floor when this song played. It has always been that way and I bet if they play this at a party now we’d still have that reaction. Fast forward to now, I’m Isoko but I’m singing Yoruba  as if I understand what he’s saying🤣🤣🤣🤎🤎🤎"

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11. P N Nyeswah
"These guys revolutionized Nigerian/African music. Dec 26 2018 in the building."

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2020
12. CheetaraFan
"Who is here in 2020??? I was in Nigeria 11 yrs ago and this song was FIRE... way before Afrobeats was poppin. I came back to NY and made everyone I know listen to it... they had no clue how this song would make an entire club lose their minds"

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2021
13. Young Arrow [FeelTheVibe]
"bro i remember this song was being played everywhere in Ghana back in 2008. like i mean everywhere. untouchable classic"

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14. Lydia Omari Mensah
"Ghana representing. We don’t understand a word but we jam to it!"

**
15. Deejahs Hub
"I could remember during the University days no this song in your taxi no passenger at all.....🤣😂 Love over here....gongo aso.......💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃"

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2022
16. Be Success Motivated
"I love this song so much it brings a lot of good memories for me everyday before I go to school I’ll play it and I’ll be feeling like a star funny part is I don’t understand what it means 😅love from Swaziland🇸🇿🇸🇿"

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17. Wandia Gichanga
"In Kenya too!!! 🇰🇪🇰🇪 This is an African hit! Can't believe he made this 12 years ago!! Sounds like something from 3 years ago. A classic 🔥🔥""

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18. Ahmid kargbo
"This song really play in Africa and around the world 9ice is great super star"

**
19. Sage
"love from Somalia 🇸🇴 this song was my favourite!!! Still don’t understand it but naija no de carry lastttt 🇳🇬❤️"

**
20. Princess Gen
"Nigerians favorite party song!! can't go to a Nigerian party without this song playing, at least back then yea!"

**
21. Timi Ndlovu
"Real housewives of Lagos brought me here. I heard this song for the first time on  episode 9 and I fell in love with it 😁"

**
22. Lerato M
"Real housewives of Lagos brought me here. Haven't heard this song since my university days in Malaysia. Beautiful memories."

**
23. Scaner Crew
"Gabon 2009 🔥✨ This one was straight fire"

**
24. funny pets
"who came here because of Camidoh - Sugarcane Remix Feat. King Promise, Mayorkun & Darkoo ?

let's gather around  !!!!! YOU KNOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW !!!!!!!!"
-snip-
Ghanaian singer Camidoh's hit song "Sugarcane" includes the term "gongo aso": "Girl you never know say you're kongo aso/Man dem suffer to find your love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmidK8z4YzE
-snip-
I've also seen this word spelled "gongo" in the lyrics for Camidoh's song.

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

        

Miriam Makeba - Hapo Zamani (information, video, lyrics)

Kilimanjaro Sounds, Jun 27, 2013

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some information about South African singer/activist Miriam Makeba and showcases Makeba's performance of the song "Habo Zamani".

The lyrics of this song are also included in this post along with their English translation.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Miriam Makeba for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are featured in this video. Thanks to the composer of this song and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

***
INFORMATION ABOUT MIRIAM MAKEBA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Makeba
"Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa.

Born in Johannesburg to Swazi and Xhosa parents, Makeba was forced to find employment as a child after the death of her father. She had a brief and allegedly abusive first marriage at the age of 17, gave birth to her only child in 1950, and survived breast cancer. Her vocal talent had been recognized when she was a child, and she began singing professionally in the 1950s, with the Cuban Brothers, the Manhattan Brothers, and an all-woman group, the Skylarks, performing a mixture of jazz, traditional African melodies, and Western popular music. In 1959, Makeba had a brief role in the anti-apartheid film Come Back, Africa, which brought her international attention, and led to her performing in Venice, London, and New York City. In London, she met the American singer Harry Belafonte, who became a mentor and colleague. She moved to New York City, where she became immediately popular, and recorded her first solo album in 1960. Her attempt to return to South Africa that year for her mother's funeral was prevented by the country's government.

Makeba's career flourished in the United States, and she released several albums and songs, her most popular being "Pata Pata" (1967). Along with Belafonte she received a Grammy Award for her 1965 album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba. She testified against the South African government at the United Nations and became involved in the civil rights movement. She married Stokely Carmichael, a leader of the Black Panther Party, in 1968. As a result, she lost support among white Americans and faced hostility from the US government, leading her and Carmichael to move to Guinea. She continued to perform, mostly in African countries, including at several independence celebrations. She began to write and perform music more explicitly critical of apartheid; the 1977 song "Soweto Blues", written by her former husband Hugh Masekela, was about the Soweto uprising. After apartheid was dismantled in 1990, Makeba returned to South Africa. She continued recording and performing, including a 1991 album with Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie, and appeared in the 1992 film Sarafina!. She was named a UN goodwill ambassador in 1999, and campaigned for humanitarian causes. She died of a heart attack during a 2008 concert in Italy.

Makeba was among the first African musicians to receive worldwide recognition. She brought African music to a Western audience, and popularized the world music and Afropop genres. She also made popular several songs critical of apartheid, and became a symbol of opposition to the system, particularly after her right to return was revoked. Upon her death, former South African President Nelson Mandela said that "her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us."

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LYRICS - HABO ZAMANI

Hapo zamani, sikuya (sikuwa) hivi
Hapo zamani, shauri ya pombe

Nindibona ndilinxila nje kungenxa yamabhulu
(I am a drunk because of the Afrikaner white man)

Nindibona ndingenakhaya nje kungenxa yabelungu
(I am homeless because of the whites)

Nindibona ndizula nje kungenxa yabelungu
(I am a hobo because of the whites)

Baleka bhulu (Run white man)

Sizobuya (We'll come back)

Sizobuy' ekhaya (we'll come back home)
-snip-
Written By Dorothy Masuka
Arranger: Jerry Ragovoy, Luchi de Jesus, Jimmy Wisner & Severino Dias De Olivera
Release Date: 1967

https://genius.com/Miriam-makeba-ha-po-zamani-lyrics

Roberto - Eponaba (Zambian R&B music video & comments with partial lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post includes information about the award winning Zambian R&B singer Roberto and showcases a video of award winning Zambian R&B singer Roberto's 2013 song "Eponaba". This post also includes selected comments from this video's discussion thread, including information about the song's meaning and partial English translation of the lyrics.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Thanks to Roberto's musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this YouTube example.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ROBERTO
http://africamusika.com/singer-roberto/ http://africamusika.com/singer-roberto/
Roberto, 2014 Zambian music awards best song writer and best R&B album winner and 2009 song of the year Winner. Roberto is a Singer/song writer/radio personality .Roberto is proudly African and is an established radio personality and musician and has becoming more and more that well known face in the media/entertainment industry.

8 Years ago, you would have walked into a Room and shout out Roberto and people would have looked at you wondering why you are screaming out someone’s name, This time around when you walk the streets in Zambia or walk into a CEO’s office and mention ROBERTO, people in the room would nod and agree that Roberto is Zambia’s finest Music export, boasting a total 13 Number 1 hit singles from 3 Albums, Roberto is Zambia’s Number 1 R&B / Afro Pop singing artist....

2013 Was an amazing year for Roberto, producing songs like Good Woman, Eponaba which have proven to be great hit singles both locally in Zambia and in Africa, receiving 3 Nominations at the 2013 Zambian Music awards"...


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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Roberto - Eponaba (Official Video)



Roberto ZambiaTV, Published on Oct 27, 2013

@RobertoZambia Latest Single Eponaba is Roberto's 13th Number single, Eponaba means 'Am There'
-snip-
Sound in this video doesn’t begin until .038

-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only:

1. wisi takondwa, 2014
"Zambia's most consistent RnB artist.. love the song and the video's on point!!"

**
2. Memory Mwape Kunda, 2014
"Am in love already! good Picture quality!! its a Bomb"

**
3. Miss Mwamba, 2014
"I'm loving this song!! Roberto mukali mwe
'Sinifuna vogabana no no no' #RealTalk"

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Reply
4. Emmanuel Phale, 2015
"what does 'Sinifuna vogabana' mean?"

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Reply
5. DeLarryfication, 2015
"+Emmanuel Phale means i dont want to share you... I am there(Eponaba)"

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6. Emmanuel Phale, 2015
"Can somebody please help with the translation of this song. What does it say"

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7. Wanjiku Mungai, 2015
"This sounds similar to Kiswahili at some points (eg. unikumbuke wakati wa wama??..-- is that what he's saying at 1.26? ) it's so confusing! :D Anyway, made it here because I heard Amarulah on Kenyan radio and couldn't get the track out of my head! :)"
-snip-
"Amarulah" is another song by Roberto. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGmlXawab_Afor a video of that song.

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8. Mariana Muhia, 2015
"Me too I think it's swahili"

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9. Mariana Muhia, 2015
"Roberto please I need the lyrics of this song.... I just love it... Kindly please.... Love from Kenya"

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Reply
10. Larry Mondoka, 2015
"+Mariana Muhia Basically saying his woman/wife/girl/fiancee or whatever you will call her should not forget that EPONABA (I am there)"

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Reply
11. Mariana Muhia, 2015
"Mmmhhh so Eponaba means that... I thought it was a name of a person.. Lol....Thanks Larry I appreciate"

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12. DeLarryfication, 2015
"I figured I'd help y'all that need lyrics, atleast just the chorus.

Wila Laba Uko Waya Eponaba (Meaning dont forget where ever you go that am there)
Ba Boss Bakufune Eponaba (Meaning when your boss hits on you dont forget I am there)
Naba Nzako Uba Uze Baibe Eponaba (Meaning Tell all your friends that I am there)
Sinifuna Vogabana No No No No (Meaning I dont want issues of sharing you NO NO NO NO)

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13. Sam Lincoln, 2015
"Whatever language this is, it sounds a lot like Swahili. One love from Nairobi, Kenya"

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Reply
14. Wanjiku Mungai1 year ago
"+Sam Lincoln yeah that's what I thought also!"

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Reply
15. S, 2016
"+Sam Lincoln It's a mixture oof two languages, Nyanja and Bemba ;)"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Zambia
"Zambia has several major indigenous languages, all of them members of the Bantu family, together with English, which is the official language and the major language of business and education.

Indigenous languages
Zambia is widely claimed to have over 72 languages, although many of these might be better regarded as dialects. Some of these languages have a long history within Zambia, while others, such as Lozi, arose as a result of 18th and 19th-century migrations. All of Zambia's vernacular languages are members of the Bantu family and are closely related to one another.

Seven vernacular languages have official status. Together these represent the major languages of each province: Bemba (Northern Province, Luapula, Muchinga and the Copperbelt), Nyanja (Eastern Province and Lusaka), Lozi (Western Province), Tonga (Southern Province), and Kaonde, Luvale and Lunda (Northwestern Province). These seven languages are used, together with English, in early primary schooling and in some government publications....

According to the 2000 census, Zambia's most widely spoken languages are Bemba (spoken by 52% of the population as either a first or second language), Nyanja (37%), Tonga (15%) and Lozi (11%).
In some languages, particularly Bemba and Nyanja, Zambians distinguish between a "deep" form of the language, associated with older and more traditional speakers in rural areas, and urban forms (sometimes called "town language" or Chitauni, such as Town Bemba and Town Nyanja) that incorporate a large number of borrowings from English and other innovations.

An urban variety of Nyanja is the lingua franca of the capital Lusaka and is widely spoken as a second language throughout Zambia. Bemba, the country's largest indigenous language, also serves as a lingua franca is some areas."...

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Guinean Vocalist/Guitarist Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté - "Sinontena" (videos & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two videos of the romantic song "Sinontena" by Guinean vocalist/guitarist Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté.

Information about Sekouba "Bambino" Diabaté is also included in this post along with translations of this song in French and in English. One of the featured videos provides the lyrics of this song in its original Malinké language.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

Thanks to for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SEKOUBA "BAMBINO" DIABATE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekouba_Bambino
"Sekouba "Bambino" is the stage name of Sekouba Diabaté, a singer and musician born in Guinea, West Africa, in 1964.[1]

Bambino was born and raised in the village of Kintinya, some 25 kilometers from the town of Siguiri, close to the border with Mali. He was born into a musical family, and is descended from a long line of griots, known in some Mande languages as jeli.[1] His mother died when he was three years old, but left behind a legacy in the songs she had recorded which her son later heard on the radio. Her music became one of his main influences. Her death left Bambino with his father, who did not encourage his musical aspirations, hoping he would follow him working in his transport company, but from age eight, Bambino Diabaté sang with local bands and began to achieve musical renown. When he was 16, then-President Sékou Touré, (a music lover) who had heard him sing with local bands, insisted that he join Bembeya Jazz, Guinea's best-known musical group....

He was given the nickname "Bambino" to distinguish him from one of the group's guitarists also named Sekou Diabaté (a.k.a. Sekou "Bembeya" a.k.a. "Diamond Fingers")....

His music is popular throughout West Africa, particularly in Guinea, Mali, and other countries where the Bambara and Malinke languages are spoken. He has become renowned for his vocal prowess, and his voice compares favorably with that of any of his home region's best male singers. He is little known outside Africa, however, as he has consistently chosen to remain true to his West African fan base. His most recent album was released in 2004. His latest single was in 2008.[1]

In November [20,] 2015 Bambino was caught up in an attack by suspected Ansar al-Din operatives on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako, but was able to escape. The BBC quoted him telling journalists:[3]
'I woke up with the sounds of gunshots and for me, it was just small bandits who came in the hotel to claim something. After 20 or 30 minutes, I realized these are not just petty criminals'"...
-snip-
I confess that I didn't know anything about Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté before reading his name in news accounts of that terrorist attack in Mali. My condolences to the friends and families of all those who died in that attack and in other terrorists attacks in Nigeria, Belgium, France, and elsewhere throughout the world.

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From http://www.afropop.org/tag/guinea/feed/ The Griot’s Craft
‎Wednesday, ‎February ‎27, ‎2013, ‏‎11:58:23 AM | Banning Eyre
"It has been awhile since we’ve heard new work from Sékouba Bambino (Diabaté), veteran singer of Guinea’s legendary Bembeya Jazz, and probably the pre-eminent Guinean vocalist of the past two decades. This session, featuring a rich blend of acoustic instruments and superb musicianship, is a welcome update, a superb griot pop album, well worth the wait. Song after song, it’s the crispness of the arrangements and execution, the acoustic soundscape, and the seductive character of Bambino’s singular voice that does the trick.

It’s hard to over praise Bambino as a singer. On the opener, “Koumakelalou,” he unveils his silk smooth low register and works his way up to the majesty of his full-throated high end. On many of these songs a female chorus supports and answers him, in traditional fashion. Elsewhere, he goes alone, with minimal backing—not much more than a kora and acoustic guitar—as on “Kadete.” Irresistable."...
-snip-
Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté is also known as Sékouba Bambino.

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NOTES ABOUT THE LYRICS TO "SINONTENA" THAT ARE GIVEN IN THIS POST
The French lyrics for "Sinontena" were posted by MAEMEI SARR (2013) in the discussion thread for the YouTube video that is given below as Example #1. These lyrics were given in four separate comments in response to a request (in French) for the words to this song. Because of the confusing way that YouTube comments are posted, I'm not sure the order of these verses is correct.

The English lyrics that are posted below are the result of Google Translates' translation from French to English.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

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LYRICS - SINONTENA [in French]
(Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté)

Je n’ai pas envie de dormir ou je n’ai pas sommeil
Je n’ai plus envie de dormir
Regardes moi je n’ai pas sommeil
Je n’ai pas sommeil mon amour, regardes moi
Donne-moi ta main
Chérie je t’aime ndoni veut dire ma petite
Je n’ai pas sommeil mon amour, regardes moi
J’ai pas sommeil, quand nous sommes deux mon amour je ne peux pas dormir
Si nous restons à faire les discussions nocturnes je ne dormirai pas mama ohh
Je n’ai pas envie de dormir ou je n’ai pas sommeil


Je ne dors pas
Il a fait nuit sur le jour, ma bien aimée chérie je te veux ah
Quand le jour se lèvera je te donnerai ce dont tu as envie par amour
L’amour ou aimé est plus vieux que l’esclave
Oh Mama Oh chérie, chérie je te veux Mama
Oh chérie


Ne te fâche pas tu as raison ou pardon
Si nous restons à faire les discussions nocturnes je ne dormirai pas mama ohh
Je n’ai pas envie de dormir ou je n’ai pas sommeil
Je ne dormirai pas
Je n’ai pas sommeil
Mama si tu m’aimes ouvres moi la porte que je me couche la nuit est trop longue pour dormir seul(e) oh
Tout ce que tu voudras je le ferai
Je t’aime mon amour
Je t’aime mon bébé
Je t’aime et c’est toi que je veux (ne vois tu pas)


Je m’ennui de toi ou tu me manques
Je n’ai pas sommeil
Je ne dormirai
si nous restons fâchée moi je ne dormirai pas en étant fâchée avec toi (ne vois tu pas)
Mon amour diminue ta colère quand il fera nuit je te demanderai pardon
Iyo iyo Ne fais pas ça mon amour diminue ta colère
J’ai pas sommeil aujourd’hui (ne vois tu pas)


[Transcriber's comment]
voilà ma petite contribution, la traduction ne sera peut etre pas totalement juste et ceux qui peuvent corriger aussi faites le svp. Merci

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LYRICS - SINONTENA [in English] - "I'm Not Feeling Sleepy"
(Sékouba "Bambino" Diabaté)

I did not want to sleep or I did not sleep
I have no desire to sleep
Look I'm not sleepy
I did not sleep my love, look at me
Give me your hand
Ndoni Girl I Love You mean my little
I did not sleep my love, look at me
I did not sleep, when we both my love I can not sleep
If we stick to the nightly discussions I will not sleep ohh mama
I did not want to sleep or I did not sleep

I do not sleep
It was dark on the day my beloved darling I want you ah
When the day will dawn I will give you what you want for love
Love or loved one is older than the slave
Oh Mama Oh darling, darling I want you Mama
Oh darling

Do not get mad you're right or forgiveness
If we stick to the nightly discussions I will not sleep ohh mama
I did not want to sleep or I did not sleep
I will not sleep
I'm not sleepy
If you love me mama works the door for me as I go to bed at night is too long to sleep alone (e) oh
Everything you like I'll do
I love you my dear
I love you my baby
I love you and it is you I want (do not you see)

I am bored of you or miss you
I'm not sleepy
I sleep
if we stay angry I will not sleep being angry with you (do not you see)
My love diminishes anger when it gets dark I ask your forgiveness
Iyo iyo Do not do that my love diminishes anger
I did not sleep today (do not you see)


[transcriber's comment]
this is my small contribution, the translation will be can not totally fair and correct those who can also do it please. Thank you

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS:
Example #1: Sékouba Bambino Diabaté - Sinotena (Lyric en Malinké)



Ousmane Bakary Kabam, Published on May 19, 2012

Je vous offre les paroles en Malinké de la merveilleuse chanson "Sinotena" (Je n'ai pas envie de dormir/ I'm not feeling sleepy) de l'artiste guinéen Sékouba Bambino Diabaté, tirée de son album "Innonvation". Cet album est arrangé par le meilleur arrangeur du zouk africain le cap verdien Manu Lima et avec la collaboration des grands musiciens zoukeurs du coté de l'hexagone. On peut vraiment dire que Bambino a innové.
Pour ceux qui veulent faire du karaoké, eh ben l'occasion... alors ne vous en privez pas.
-snip-
Translation from French to English by Google Translate:
I offer you the words in Malinke the wonderful song "Sinotena" (I did not want to sleep / I'm not feeling sleepy) of the Guinean artist Sékouba Bambino Diabate, taken from his album "Innonvation". This album is arranged by the best arranger of the African zouk the Cape Verdean Manu Lima and with the collaboration of great musicians zoukeurs the side of the hexagon. We can truly say that Bambino innovated.
For those who want to do karaoke, well, the opportunity ... so do not deprive yourself

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Example #2: Sékouba Bambino - Sinontena 2012 HD (Clip Officiel



Bambino2012officiel, Published on May 11, 2012

Sékouba Bambino vous présente "Sinotena", un titre de l'album "innovation" maintenant sur le Marché.
Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur :

http://www.sekoubabambino.fr/Disc1.html

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