Some Christmas vibes.

It is that wonderful time of the year again. It is funny to think that last year around this time, I had just put in my final application for the Renaissance Award and I hoped (but certainly didn't expect) that I would be selected. If we rewind time even further back - 15 years to be exact - it was in Benin that on December 25, 1999 Radio France International announced to my family that a coup had just deposed President Henri Konan Bedie of his functions. The new president, the General Robert Guei, was welcomed by most as "Papa Noel en treillis" (Santa Claus in Camouflage). He promised to "sweep" the government clean and be on his way. Unfortunately, he failed to keep his promises and was eventually killed on September 19, 2002 during the night that marked the beginning of the first Ivorian Civil War.

However, it is not to these sad events that I want to dedicate my Christmas blog post. It is to a song by Yode and Siro called Victoire (Victory). The song tells the story of a brawl between Jesus and Satan in the popular neighbourhoods of Abidjan (i.e. Good vs Evil). Even if my analysis of the song will be somewhat limited, I hope that through the lyrics and video you will be able to capture the complexity of this musical genre made evident through its use of rhythm, dance, satire and humour. The message is also so Christmas-sey! Also, notice how Jesus is depicted as white-skinned and Satan is depicted as black-skinned? Hopefully more on that sort of self-violence later...

In the meantime C'est cadeau! On s'enjaille un peu non? (This is a gift! Let's have little bit of fun!)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all =)

ORIGINAL

TRANSLATION

Dieu a créé son monde avec tous ses habitants... tellement amour il a créé aussi Satan... mais dans la vie tu sais qui peut te frapper, tu ne sais pas qui va te tuer. Lui Satan, tellement mauvais il a blagué Adam et Eve et il a pris le monde de Dieu. Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Dieu pour sauver son monde il a envoyé son fils unique, avec un plan de bataille. Jesus est arrivé il a créé beaucoup d'églises. Assemblée de Dieu: attaque tous le maquis. Royaume de Dieu: attaque les cinémas. Protestant-Baptistes: Eux ils se promènent pour prêcher. Tellement fâché il a créé des églises aux bords des plages, la bas on porte pas chaussures.  Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Un jour moi je passais c’est là Satan il m’a appelé. Il dit: “Jésus a les foutaises. Il a pris mes maquis. Il a pris mes cinémas. Aujourd’hui tout va finir” Satan est arrivé dans un Kimono noir, Timberland dans son pied. Son nez était percé. Tellement digba il ressemblait à Goliath, Goldorak. On dirait un cyborg. Une lumière jaillit c’est la Jésus est arrivé, dans un Kimono blanc, Sebago dans son pied, cheveux bien coiffes.   Tellement petit, j’ai dit Satan va le tuer. Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Jeux de jambes de Jésus, jeux de jambes de Satan, il n’y  a pas eu ouverture. Le gnaga était serré. Coup de pied de Satan, Jésus a bloqué. Coup de tête de Jésus, Satan a dribblé. Le gnaga était mortel. Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Tellement ça a chauffé, tout Adjamé était sorti. Abobo est venu. Koumassi était présent. Même le Gbata était témoin. Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Ça a chauffé! (Victoire) Jeux de jambes de Jésus Ouverture de Satan Jésus n’a pas Dindin, un petit crochet. Le Goliath a pris KO. Oh Victoiiiiire!

God created His world with all its inhabitants, so full of love he also created satan... but in life you know who can beat you, but you don't know who will kill you. Satan was so evil that he misled Adam and Eve and stole God's world. It was a heated battle (Victory) It was a heated battle (Victory) In order to save his world, God sent His only son with a battle plan. Jesus came down and created lots of churches. Assembly of God: Attacked all the bars. Kingdom of God: Attacked all the cinemas. Protestants/Baptists: Those went around preaching. He was so angry that He created churches by the beaches where they don't wear shoes.  It was a heated battle (Victory) It was a heated battle (Victory) One day I was walking by, that’s when Satan called me over. He said: “Jesus is so disrespectful! He took over my bars. He took over my cinemas. Today we will settle this.” Satan came in black Karate Gi. He had Timberlands on his feet. His nose was pierced. He looked so strong, he looked like Goliath, or Grendizer; he looked like a cyborg. A light flash, and then Jesus appeared in a white Karate Gi, He was wearing Sebago shoes. His hair was neatly combed.  He was so tiny, I said Satan will kill him. It was a heated battle (Victory) It was a heated battle (Victory) Jesus does some footwork, Satan does some footwork. No opening. The fight was tight. Satan throws a kick, Jesus blocks! Jesus tries a headbutt, Satan avoids it. This fight was deadly. It was a heated battle (Victory) It was a heated battle (Victory) It was such a heated battle, that all of Adjame came out. Abobo came out. Koumassi was there. Even the Gbata witnessed it. It was a heated battle (Victory) It was a heated battle (Victory) Jesus does some footwork, Opening from Satan. No hesitation from Jesus He throws a little hook, The Goliath is KO! Oh Victorrrryyyyy!

Full song with lyrics available here: