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African Music for the Soul

Last posted Aug 16, 2021 at 06:54AM EDT. Added Jul 17, 2021 at 04:55PM EDT
6 posts from 2 users

So I've recently started to modern(ish) African music sung in a various African languages and I'd thought I'd share it hear, because it's probably a lot better than most people think it would be.

Where I can, I'll provide written lyrics and translations as well, but due to the extreme nicheness of this subject from a Western perspective, it might not be possible.

Feel free to jump in and add your own examples if you have any, or just have general chit-chat about what you think of it.

We'll start with one some of you might know, as it was sampled in the Matafix song Living Darfur, which is Umagubane (The Mob) by Chicco.

UMagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
UMagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma

(The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma)

Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember)

(Nabantwana and Nezingane can be used interchangeably to mean small child or baby)

Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wabantwa bami
Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wezingani zami

(Well my husband bo
The father of my children
Well my husband bo
The father of my children)

Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto

(Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords)

Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma

(The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma)

Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember)

Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember)

Ahh he umh umh

Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto

(Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords)

Yeyeye ye zinye zinto
Yeyeye ye zinye zinto

(Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords
Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords)

Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma

(The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma)

Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember)

Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wabantwa bami
Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wezingani zami

(Well my husband bo
The father of my children
Well my husband bo
The father of my children)

Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wabantwa bami
Awu indoda yami bo
Baba wezingani zami

(Well my husband bo
The father of my children
Well my husband bo
The father of my children)

Yeyeye ye zinye zinto

(Yes, that's right you can now become known as a Lord, Lord of lords)

Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma
Umagubane wabulala ubaba wami oh ma

(The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma
The mob killed my father oh ma)

Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember)

Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nezingane zami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula
Mina nabantwana bami sohlala sikhumbula

(My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember
My children and I will always remember)

(Well my husband bo
The father of my children
Well my husband bo
The father of my children)

Here's a cheery little song about HIV by one of Zimbabwe's most famous singers, Oliver Mtukudzi called Todii, which is sung in a mix of English and Shona which I'll do my best to translate below.

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

(From what I can work out todini could either be a name, or just onomatopoeia)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Zvinorwadza sei kurera rufu mumaoko
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Zvinorwadza sei kuchengeta rufu mumaoko
That will lead to their death
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Bva zvamabata pamuviri pasina raramo
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Bva zvapatumbuka pamuviri pasina raramo
Kana uinawo utachiwana

(How painful it is to bring up death in the hands
If you are also infected
How painful it is to keep death at hand
That will lead to their death
If you are also infected
Get pregnant without life
If you are also infected
Then they have a miscarriage without life
If you are also infected)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Senzeni
Tingadii
What shall we do

(Do it
Tingadii
What shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Zvinorwadza sei kubhinywa ewaugere naye,
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Zvinorwadza sei kubhinywa neakabvisa pfuma
Your bride price to kill you
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Achiziva unahwo hutachiwana
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Ende uchiziva Unahwo utachiwana
Kana uinawo utachiwana

(How painful it is to rape a neighbor,
If you are also infected
How painful it is to be raped by someone who has taken away our property
Your bride price to kill you
If you are also infected
Knowing you are infected
If you are also infected
Go knowing you have the virus
If you are also infected)

(Side Note: In some African cultures, it is believed that having sex with a virgin can cure one of AIDs/HIV; which leads some sufferers to rape people in a desperate attempt to cure themselves.)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Seri kweguva hakuna munamato varume tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Seri kweguva hakuna munamato varume tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Seri kweguva hakuna muteuro mambo tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Seri kweguva hakuna muteuro mambo tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Seri kweguva hakuna munamato varume tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana
Seri kweguva hakuna muteuro mambo tapererwa (utachiwana)
Dondipaiwo mazano
Kana uinawo utachiwana

(Behind the grave there is no prayer men we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected
Behind the grave there is no prayer men we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected
Behind the grave there is no sense king we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected
Behind the grave there is no sense king we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected
Behind the grave there is no prayer men we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected
Behind the grave there is no sense king we are exhausted (infected)
Give me some tips
If you are also infected)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

Hooo todini senzeni
What shall we do, tingadii
Senzenjani, what shall we do

(Hooo todini let's do it
What shall we do?
What are we doing, what shall we do)

This is the only one I've discovered and found that I like. This is from a west African act, so likewise the lyrics are in French rather than a native African language, but I really like everything on the song. I'm really not interested in providing translation though.

Because I am very forgetful, I return with more actual music.

Pat Shange was a South African artist best known for his funky 80's songs here in the West.

I think I actually recall hearing this on the radio growing up. I definitely knew that Keyboard riff from a long time ago.

Here we have a song by Condry Ziqubu, a South African Singer.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any lyrics, so I can't translate it.

If anyone who knows Xhosa would like to translate the lyrics; I'd greatly appreciate it.

Kenyan Club Music?

Kenyan Club Music.

This song is a mix of Swahili and English, which I'll translate below.

Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki…
Mimi na wewe
Mimi na wewe
Mimi na wewe
Nameless na wewe
Mimi na wewe
Mimi na wewe
Mimi na wewe
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh

(I hate, I hate hearing this music…
Me and you
Me and you
Me and you
Nameless with you
Me and you
Me and you
Me and you
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh
Aiyaa ohh)

It's a Friday night, everything's alright
Eeh nyinyi mabeste, twende tukatike
If you like to dance, well then here's your chance
Sisi wa Nairobi, tunapenda hepi

(It's a Friday night, everything's alright
Eeh you bastards, let's go and cut
If you like to dance, well then here's your chance
We in Nairobi, love this)

It is in your eye, Ohh you can't deny

Eii mumefurahi, wacha kujidai
Hey you over there, hey you look familiar
Si tukatike, mimi na wewe

(Eii you are happy, stop pretending
Hey you over there, hey you look familiar
Let's not break up, you and me)

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Huyu chikidee, akona bidii
Ana dance kuku, huku na huku
Na huyu jamaa, huyu yu shujaa
Anajua kukata, bila kuhata

(This is a demand, he is not diligent
He has a chicken dance, here and there
And this fellow, this one is a hero
He knows how to cut, without hesitation)

It is in the air, it is everywhere

Bet you feel like removing, your underwear
Ogopa Dj, wacha kudelay
Sisi tumefika, sasa tutawika

(Bet you feel like removing, your underwear
Ogopa Dj, stop kudelay
We have arrived, now we will cry)

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Ohhh ameikoa, Ohhh ameikoa, Ohhh ameikoa
Can we dance together?
Manze umebeba, manze unaroga
Umefanikiwa, Can we dance together?

(Ohhh she has saved, Ohhh she has saved, Ohhh she has saved
Can we dance together?
Manze you carry, manze you bewitch
Succeeded, Can we dance together?)

Kai mütaraigua wega mükeina, mükeina (Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki)
Mügeina kai mütaraigua wega, wega (Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki)

Was only able to translate the brackets and that 'Wega' means private. The other lyrics could be mispelled or slang.

(I hate, I hate hearing this music)
(When I hear this music they say I'm crazy/dying)

Aii aii, oh no
Aii aii, oh no
I'm losing control
I'm losing control
Aii aii, oh no
Aii aii, oh no
Wacha kujifanya, mnahanyahanya

(Stop pretending, you're crazy)

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaaa ee yaa ee yaa ee
Aiyaa oo
Aiyaa oo

Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki
Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki
Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki
Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki
Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki
Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki
Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki
Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki
Ninanoki, ninanoki nikisikia hii muziki
Nikisikia hii muziki wanasema ninanoki

(I hate, I hate hearing this music
When I hear this music they say I'm crazy
I hate, I hate hearing this music
When I hear this music they say I'm crazy
I hate, I hate hearing this music
When I hear this music they say I'm crazy
I hate, I hate hearing this music
When I hear this music they say I'm crazy
I hate, I hate hearing this music
When I hear this music they say I'm crazy)

Skeletor-sm

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