Yesterday, I listened to Ivorian rapper Jeune Lion’s newest album, BABYLONE BRÛLE, which got here out simply final week. I performed it throughout my metro journey to work, and unsurprisingly, I discovered a number of new additions to my present rotation. The French flows on NYAMIEN SON NO FALL are simply so satisfying to the ears. CUBE MAGGI and 446 additionally made it into the Favored Songs, however I loved all the album. Although I communicate nearly no French, often, I’ll acknowledge a phrase or two. When listening to GARBA 13K feat. Suspect95, one phrase specifically caught out: Président.
Solely then did I understand that the duvet of the album portrays Jeune Lion as an angel floating down, with a flaming sword in hand, to avoid wasting a metropolis beneath assault. I later discovered a translation of the lyrics, and regardless of not figuring out plenty of the Nouchi sprinkled all through the verses, the road nonetheless stood out. Jeun Lion says, “President, my individuals are dying, have you learnt about it?” President Outarra has maintained workplace since 2011, reigning for 15 years. His third and 4th time period elections prompted main unrest in Côte d’Ivoire, leaving many hungry for a political change. I started to grasp the scope of the album a bit extra.
Jeune Lion instantly goes on to say, “However who finesse us on nearly all of the electrical energy payments,” certainly one of a number of traces calling out the federal government’s greed, however he doesn’t cease there. The refrain will get into wealth disparity, and the realities of life within the Ivory Coast’s “financial capital,” Abidjan:
Wallaye Abidjan isn’t easy dêh
They’ve all of the djai we don’t even know the place it comes from tchai
As quickly because it is available in I put my token within the gwell
The wage of the fifth the boss pays us that on the thirty fifth tchai
As an American, I discovered their political grievances strikingly relatable. It’s good to know that individuals in different international locations are making music to name out corruption and greed in authorities. To not point out the tune is sort of catchy.
