The Top Ivorian Songs of All-Time - Starting Eleven
I asked some friends to name their top 5 songs ever, from Ivory Coast. I have not outdoored an alter-ego from Cote D'Ivoire. One of these days. I leveraged my knowledge about Ivorian music as well, thanks to all I have learnt around Museke. I also asked Google Gemini (not through Google Sheets this time) & some other competitors of theirs). You know AI is is my friend these days right? I also contributed my top 5.
My first time in Ivory Coast was in 2015. This was thanks to Nescafe, and I am not even a big fan of coffee. I am a big fan of dancing, and you know Ivorians make serious danceable music, starting from Coupé-décalé. Prior to 2015, I had been listening to a lot of Ivorien music. The funny thing I never really met Ivorians until I returned to Ghana from the US. Prior to 2011, I had befriended several Ivorians through Twitter, thanks to the Barcamp movement across the continent. Barcamp Abidjan - Barcamp Babi. I met more thanks to Google. And then in 2015, I met some of them through Tech Camp West Africa, which we at GhanaThink organized with the US Embassy.
I wanted to do a list of top 5, but there are too many songs. So I have aggregated 11, to represent Angola in the World Cup of #MusicWeDeyFeel. The starting eleven. Drop your opinions, props, suggestions in the comments section. Here we go, in no particular order, you can suggest who plays centre forward, sweeper, maestro, left wing back or goalkeeper in the comments.
Premier Gaou - Magic System (1999)
I knew about this song when it came out in 1999, while in Ghana. It did not take years for it to travel. Before Amoulanga and Mapouka became popular, this song was the king. You know the meaning of the song by now. "Premier Gaou" tells the story of a man who was abandoned by his girlfriend because of his poverty. When he becomes famous, she tries to get back together with him, but he rejects her because he believes it would be foolish to become a "fool once more". The title, which translates to "First Fool," highlights the central theme: that the initial foolishness was her leaving him, but taking her back would be the real foolishness. Salif Traoré (stage name A'Salfo) and his band of brothers are legends. Magic System is maybe the biggest African music group ever from Africa. Debate me in the comments.
Fanta Diallo - Alpha Blondy (1987)
If Lucky Dube is the English African Bob Marley, then Alpha Blondy is the French one. Yes, we know, this all-time reggae classic is in English though.
If Lucky Dube is the English African Bob Marley, then Alpha Blondy is the French one. Yes, we know, this all-time reggae classic is in English though.
The song "Sweet Fanta Diallo" by Alpha Blondy is about a high school lover named Fanta Diallo who helped him achieve his ambition to go to America. It pays tribute to this lady. Did the song became a bigger hit because there are Diallos across West Africa? Maybe. Many Ivorians go to France, more than the USA for obvious reasons but I am still surprised Alpha Blondy did not choose the UK for this song.
200% Zoblazo - Meiway (1991)
200% Zoblazo - Meiway (1991)
If Magic System is the greatest music group to emerge from Ivory Coast, Freddy Meiway is likely the greatest musician to emerge from the land of attieke & alloko. He first gave us Zoblazo and then took it a notch higher with 200% Zoblazo. For those of us in Ghana, we could relate, it sounded like he was singing in Twi. It is actually in Nzema, which is also an Akan language. Some of its lyrics are in French.
The song leverages traditional percussion from the Nzemas, and Ivorian folklore. As expected, it has its own dance routine. Zoblazo style! I mean, if this song starts playing, and you don't move a part of your body, you need to see a French speaking ear-specialist.
The song leverages traditional percussion from the Nzemas, and Ivorian folklore. As expected, it has its own dance routine. Zoblazo style! I mean, if this song starts playing, and you don't move a part of your body, you need to see a French speaking ear-specialist.
Coup du marteau - Tam Sir (2023)
I was there at the Ivorian ambassador's house in Accra when the Elephants won the African Cup of Nations in 2024. I had a funny feeling Cote D'Ivoire would beat Nigeria. I had also gotten an invite to join the watch party with these Ivorians and friends of Ivory Coast clad in orange. You can guess the song that was played the most when Les Éléphants scored, and finally won. Coup du marteau! This Tam Sir track features Team Paiya, Ste Milano, Renard Barakissa, Tazeboy, PSK, etc. On est ensemble - to borrow a song title from Kaysha.
"Coup du marteau" by Tam Sir is a song about celebration, unity, and Ivorian hospitality. One day, we would discuss how it compares to Ghanaian hospitality. What I do is that Ivorian women like to party exponentially more than Ghanaian women. It was released for the end-of-year holidays (well, how is Noel in Abidjan?). It naturally became a popular anthem for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that was delayed from 2023 to 2024. This is a festive song, complete with all sorts of dancing.
Djessimidjeka - Arafat DJ (2010)
DJ Arafat is a legend in many ways in Ivory Coast and the Francophone music scene. "Djessimidjeka" is likely his most popular song. It is a defiant anthem about his resilience and the belief that his destiny is divinely ordained. Apparently, the song is a response to those who tried to harm him, with lyrics like "They wanted to kill me but I am still alive" and "When God traces your path, no one can destroy it". It was released after an accident in 2009 and is seen as a declaration of his continued success despite opposition.
DJ Arafat is a legend in many ways in Ivory Coast and the Francophone music scene. "Djessimidjeka" is likely his most popular song. It is a defiant anthem about his resilience and the belief that his destiny is divinely ordained. Apparently, the song is a response to those who tried to harm him, with lyrics like "They wanted to kill me but I am still alive" and "When God traces your path, no one can destroy it". It was released after an accident in 2009 and is seen as a declaration of his continued success despite opposition.
Coupé-Decalé is high-energy music, and Ange Didier Houon was the kingpin. He had a big passion for motorcycles. It is really sad that he died in a high-speed motorcycle accident in Abidjan when his bike collided with a car on August 11, 2019.
Ziboté - Ernesto Djédjé (1977)
If we as kids in Ghana were dancing to Zoblazo in the 90s, our parents were rocking to Ziboté!
If we as kids in Ghana were dancing to Zoblazo in the 90s, our parents were rocking to Ziboté!
The “king of ziglibithy” or “sparrowhawk” (was it because of his dance, arms spread, that he was called like that?) began a golden period of success for himself and Ivorian music.
It doesn't happen as much today, but African music of generations before carried their weight due to proverbs. "Zibote" carries a cautionary message based on an African proverb. It warns that betrayal often comes from where it is least expected, even from one's own family or close circle. The song is in the Bété language.
Diplôme - Josey (2016)
I did not know so much about Josey's music. "Diplôme" means diploma in French. Josey graduated in the upper echelon of Ivorian music greats a while ago. She has conquered the music scene to a high degree.
I did not know so much about Josey's music. "Diplôme" means diploma in French. Josey graduated in the upper echelon of Ivorian music greats a while ago. She has conquered the music scene to a high degree.
"Diplôme" is about a woman who is tired of waiting for her long-time boyfriend to propose. The title, is used metaphorically to represent the validation and official commitment of marriage that she is waiting for. I mean, when you listen to the song, can you believe that after ten years together, the guy in the song has still not proposed, telling the lady that he is "studying her behavior." To what degree? The lady's patience is gone, asking the academic question: "What kind of diploma do you want to get?"
A nouhoume - Bailly Spinto (1979)
I did not know about this artiste or this song until I run the poll. It featured heavily in the responses. In fact, this song is regarded national treasure and cultural heritage in Ivory Coast and beyond.
I did not know about this artiste or this song until I run the poll. It featured heavily in the responses. In fact, this song is regarded national treasure and cultural heritage in Ivory Coast and beyond.
Plus rien ne m'étonne - Tiken Jah Fakoly (2004)
I knew about Tiken Jah Fakoly but this classic which was nominated multiple times. If Alpha Blondy's Fanta Diallo was sweet, this track by TJF is strong. "Plus rien ne m'étonne" translates to "Nothing surprises me anymore". This song is a protest song about the enduring effects of colonialism in Africa, well past Ivorian independence in 1960. This political reggae song touches on the division of the continent, the exploitation of its resources, etc. We have to feature the patriotic songs, it can be all dancing and lovey-dovey stuff.
I knew about Tiken Jah Fakoly but this classic which was nominated multiple times. If Alpha Blondy's Fanta Diallo was sweet, this track by TJF is strong. "Plus rien ne m'étonne" translates to "Nothing surprises me anymore". This song is a protest song about the enduring effects of colonialism in Africa, well past Ivorian independence in 1960. This political reggae song touches on the division of the continent, the exploitation of its resources, etc. We have to feature the patriotic songs, it can be all dancing and lovey-dovey stuff.
TJF is one of the Francophone reggae greats. These lyrics translations strike strongly: "If you leave me your uranium / I'll leave you your aluminum". "If you leave me your mineral deposits / I'll help you hunt the Taliban". "If you give me a lot of wheat / I'll make war by your side". and the lasting scars of that history. Tiken Jah Fakoly calls for freedom, unity, and brings a rallying cry against exploitation and manipulation. Do I hear you say "On y va"? D'accord, I said "Kpakpayota!"
Iwassado - Nayanka Bell (1981)
Nayanka Bell is the queen of Ivorian music, and one of the best singers to come out of Cote'd Ivoire. One of the all-time songs from Ivory Coast is her track, Iwassado, which was on her album, Just A Boogie. The dancing references for Ivory Coast showing up again. This song blends traditional Ivorian rhythms with with modern funk and disco sounds.
The song "Iwassado" by Nayanka Bell is about encouraging a child to be brave and accepting of having blind parents. The lyrics tell the child to be the "walking cane" for their parents and to be content with their situation, highlighting themes of courage and resilience.
This last spot came down to Magic System and Meiway, c'est vrai. Magic In The Air is one of Magic System's biggest songs, and they have mostly been based in France for many years. But we know that song is not really for Ivorians. So we went with the local champion, make way for Meiway!
Miss Lolo - Meiway (2001)
This song took a life and legacy of its own. Some might say this song is the best, with emphasis on b. It is about beauty, bodies, breasts and buttocks. They are all bunched together, right? The lyrics of "Miss Lolo" praise women and their bodies, admiring them and encouraging the beholders of such beauty to be proud of their features. This song would make you say voluptuousness. It made me think of a Ghanaian meal called banku for some reason.
This is another Meiway classic that crossed borders, continuing his relevance in the African music scene. If you are a lady and dancing this song, take your booty low low. Yes, I know that's not part of the lyrics, but I can also compose great lyrics. D'accord?
Many thanks to friends like who contributed to this - Bledy Thaumons, Dexter Ouattara, Edith Brou, Edja Franck, Frederic Tape, Ingrid Epezagne, Isabel Guipro, Jamie, Mohammed Diaby, Paul Sika, Pierre Nahoa, Prince Akpesey, Rose Misselebe Ehounou, Stephanie Blao, Yehni Djidji.
Have more #MusicWeDeyFeel to contribute? Drop a comment.
Check out this playlist of songs that were nominated, etc on YouTube.
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