As soon as the beat drops, you know you're in for a good time. Even if you can't speak a word of French, or if you do but are confused by the Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire, the home of this great band) slang, it isn't hard to understand that this song is undeniably a jamandahalf. With a beat typical of the Ivorian capital, one that reflects the city's beating energy, "1er Gaou" was a huge song in Cote d'Ivoire and West Africa, and much later became a surprise hit in France and Belgium.
Telling the true tale of Magic System's lead singer (Salif Traore), who as a starving up-and-coming artist was dumped by his girlfriend, the song has a message mixed in with its pulsing rhythm. After Salif and the rest of Magic System reached stardom, Salif's ex tried to get back together with him. The chorus is his answer to her, saying "They say that the first fool is not a fool / It is the second fool who is a fool," meaning her dumping him was not a foolish thing, but him taking her back would make him the fool.
Familiar to anyone who has spent time in West Africa, this jam is part of the incredible Africa: 50 Years of Music collection (review on the way). The song really manages to capture both a story and the feeling of the bustling Ivorian metropolis, while having the mind control over me: forcing my body to start grooving no matter where I am. Check out the jam and the great video below.
Jamandahalf.com by jammininthenameof
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