Koko – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

• By: Yacou B OG
• Album: Koko

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in "Koko" by Yacou B OG, a captivating World Music/Folklore track from 2025 that has become a viral sensation. This song offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the rich sounds and linguistic nuances of Malian music, showcasing why Yacou B OG is considered a significant voice in Mali's rap scene, despite this particular song being categorized as World Music/Folklore. Its widespread popularity makes it an engaging entry point for understanding contemporary African musical trends and expressions.

[English]

We’re here, and you’re looking for Koko

These words are strong, they carry weight

The shaman says the story is like a secret kept safe

Little by little, things are starting to unfold

These are the realities, look at Koko

I remember M. Soukouna, he was a real man

I see people volunteering, they’re giving their all

You’re sweating, but you’re still pushing forward

I see everything clearly, Abé Babylone

The music is strong, it comes from Kèlè, it’s a Kèlè sound

Like a Godfather, like Djé Corleone

Djomana Malou, with the power of Babylone

Little by little, I’m building my future

I’m calling on him, I’m giving thanks for Koko

Yacou B is showing his true colors

Let them talk, I don’t care what they say

Look closely, this is I.F.B. Son’s style

We’re here, and you’ll see, this sound is powerful

Sanba Kaka, supporting all artists with his sound

Yaya Allah, we’re all united by this sound

The elders are here, honoring Papa with this sound

I remember Mali, and I’ll never forget my roots

If you don’t understand, you’re missing something

Show me your heart, you’re missing something too

The story of Mali, this is what it holds

If you don’t understand, you’ll be lost

If you don’t understand, you’ll miss out on opportunities

There’s a lot of food, a feast for everyone

The elders are here, they’re sharing their wisdom

Kèlè is speaking, the shaman is telling the truth

Remember Fafa, with all his power

This sound is strong, Yacou B OG, this sound is strong

Yacou B OG, he’s giving it his all

He’s working hard, and you should follow his example

If you understand, show your heart, this is where the story begins

Kèlè is speaking, and the story continues

We’re here, and you’re looking for Koko

These words are strong, they carry weight

The shaman says the story is like a secret kept safe

Little by little, things are starting to unfold

These are the realities, look at Koko

I remember M. Soukouna, he was a real man

I see people volunteering, they’re giving their all

You’re sweating, but you’re still pushing forward

I see everything clearly, Abé Babylone

Take your time, take your time, young man

If you understand, you’ll see the light in Kèlè

The elders are speaking, sharing their wisdom

Let the story unfold, the shaman will tell it

If you listen closely, Kèlè will reveal its secrets

The rhythm of Kèlè, a powerful and ancient sound

The taxi is waiting, ready to take you anywhere

If you understand the language, come to Koko

The story is unfolding, a powerful message

If you listen closely, you’ll understand everything

Kèlè is speaking, and you’ll see, if you listen closely

A warrior, in Koko, a powerful message

Fafabembo, with strength and wisdom, you’ll see, and you’ll understand

Kèlè’s message, revealing the truth to everyone

I see people volunteering, and I’m searching for the truth

I’m searching for the truth

I’m looking for the truth, and I won’t be silenced

I’m searching for it, and I’ll reveal the truth

Kèlè, the elders will reveal the truth

Come and listen to the story, the story of Djomana

We’re here, and you’re looking for Koko

These words are strong, they carry weight

The shaman says the story is like a secret kept safe

Little by little, things are starting to unfold

These are the realities, look at Koko

I remember M. Soukouna, he was a real man

I see people volunteering, they’re giving their all

I see everything clearly, Abé Babylone

I see everything clearly, Abé Babylone

Koko, Yacou B OG

Bassana Daf

I’m here to share my story

Look at Kèlè, it’s a powerful sound

Look at Kèlè, it’s a powerful sound

I’m here, and you’ll see, this is where the story begins

I’m looking for the truth

I’m searching for it, and I’ll reveal the truth

I’m searching for it, and I’ll reveal the truth

Kèlè, the elders will reveal the truth

[French]

Wouna bela ni wouyila ko Koko

Woubô bou bi yali manongow

Chaman wou yéré wara ko wé kel soubô

Méféré té kéré néta bê monon

Gangalé bi ni, kélén ko Koko

Nékéré fé M. Soukouna yéré a bobo

Na yé yan folontini, a li manon

Wo némou bôli, a la woro kônô

N'déni tou chila, Abé Babylone

Woulé yélé nama Kèlè ko Kèlè yôn

Manira Parrain o Djé Corleone

Djomana Malou, ni soni Babylone

Fofé té Kéré an né ma mi fé

N'yété a lo, bémbé an danana ko Koko

Yacou B o féti ko wéré n'ga

Abbi yéka toré n'gé

Wona woyé, nôlô I.F.B. Son

N’na nana, wou sé wou boussou ma son

Sanba Kaka, woussanbou fo artiste kô son

Yaya Allah, nou djémé dékô son

Chéguéla djô, wuyé papa Kô son

N’yé mélana Mali en si bélana monon

Ni ni wou n'yéni, wou bé guinina so

Gué m’a djô, wou bé guini la n’so

Chéguéré la mali, ni ko djé

Bi ni ta djouga, wou yéga dalibé bé

Ni ni wou n’yini, wou bé marchés kèlè

Ga sougou, békèlèga founfou ébé

Chéguéré djè, n’yévéga assoumé hô té yé

Kèlè djélé, n'chaman yé bani ni ba

Ni ni san Fafa, wousani wou son

Sonôni ga, Yacou B OG, soni ga

Yacou B OG, a danana folo

A fô, wou yé massé, an ni séla an follow

Ni n'gan, guiné djô, n'cha, woro, ko kô ni dja torow

Kèlè djélé, ni guiné wara torow

Wouna bela ni wouyila ko Koko

Woubô bou bi yali manongow

Chaman wou yéré wara ko wé kel soubô

Méféré té kéré néta bê monon

Gangalé bi ni, kélén ko Koko

Nékéré fé M. Soukouna yéré a bobo

Na yé yan folontini, a li manon

Wo némou bôli, a la woro kônô

N'déni tou chila, Abé Babylone

Tana wou bé, la wou bé, n'gamin gamin

Ni bé félé wou yé la woyé Kèlè

Ala djélé chaman, ni kougo ma don

Ba taran guéla, chaman wou yé

Ni bi na filini, an né kèlè nyana don

Koumbi ko Kèlè yé dougou mana nénè

Dengué téxi sébaga soumaye kotow

Ni guiné ki bana, wo Koko

Djouga fili, fo djomana ga folo

Ni horon yé ni yé ni wou yé folo

Kèlè chaman, ni bayé, wou yé, ni bi na ba félé wou yé ni

Chef de guerre, ni, Koko, raga, réné

Fafabembo, ni, wacha, djélé, ni wou yé la bamanan, ni ta yé

Anté Kèlè mani, djana yé ta vérité anou

N'na yan folontini, wo n'ya n'ta vérité anou

N'na n'ta vérité

N’na yen né ta vérité, ala ma mané

N'nayi n'ta, an né n'ta vérité

Kèlè, djô an né ta vérité

Wo lo djomana té, n'dala Djomana té

Wouna bela ni wouyila ko Koko

Woubô bou bi yali manongow

Chaman wou yéré wara ko wé kel soubô

Méféré té kéré néta bê monon

Gangalé bi ni, kélén ko Koko

Nékéré fé M. Soukouna yéré a bobo

Na yé yan folontini, a li manon

Wo némou bôli, a la woro kônô

N'déni tou chila, Abé Babylone

Koko, Yacou B OG

Bassana Daf

An né bé koyi nyama

Chaman, chaman, chaman, chaman

Wona kélé Kèlè, nyama

N'nayi, ni wou yé la bamanan, ni ta yé

N'na yen né ta vérité

N'na yen né ta vérité

N'nayi n'ta, an né n'ta vérité

Kèlè, djô an né ta vérité

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Koko /koʊkoʊ/ A1	noun - a name or term of endearment
yéré /jɛːre/ A2	noun - life
manongow /manɔŋɔw/ B1	noun - friend
soubô /subɔ/ B2	noun - strength
kéré /kɛːre/ B1	verb - to speak
bobo /bɔbɔ/ A2	noun - child
Babylone /babɪloʊn/ B2	noun - Babylon, an ancient city
vérité /veʁite/ B2	noun - truth
ni /ni/ A1	pronoun - you
wou /wu/ A1	pronoun - we
yé /je/ A1	verb - to be
djé /dʒe/ B1	verb - to give
félé /fele/ B2	verb - to celebrate
massé /mase/ B2	verb - to gather
gamin /ɡamin/ A2	noun - kid

Key Grammar Structures

• Wouna bela ni wouyila ko Koko

  ➔ Use of the verb 'to be' in a present tense form.

  ➔ The phrase starts with 'Wouna', which indicates a subject followed by 'bela' (to be) and 'ni' (you), forming a present tense statement.

• Méféré té kéré néta bê monon

  ➔ Use of the past tense to describe a completed action.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'té' (was) to indicate a past action, followed by 'kéré' (to do) and 'néta' (that), showing a completed action.

• N'na nana, wou sé wou boussou ma son

  ➔ Use of the first person plural to express collective action.

  ➔ The phrase starts with 'N'na' (we) indicating a collective subject, followed by 'nana' (are) and 'wou' (you), forming a collective statement.

• N'yé mélana Mali en si bélana monon

  ➔ Use of the conjunction 'and' to connect clauses.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'en' (and) to connect two ideas, indicating a relationship between them.

• Kèlè djélé, ni guiné wara torow

  ➔ Use of the imperative form to give commands.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'Kèlè' (be) in an imperative form, instructing someone to take action.

• N'na n'ta vérité

  ➔ Use of the negation form to express denial.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'n'ta' (not) to negate 'vérité' (truth), indicating a denial of the statement.

• Yacou B OG, a danana folo

  ➔ Use of the subject-verb agreement in a simple present tense.

  ➔ The phrase uses 'a' (is) to agree with the subject 'Yacou B OG', indicating a present state.