King David is from Burkina Faso, West Africa. He started playing with Black Consciousness in the Ivory Coast, and then continued in Ghana and Burkina Faso. The group is Rastafarian and was founded with a common belief in justice and equality for all people. The songs in Kana Yina were written by King David to express his thoughts, philosophies, and reactions to the world--to Africa, to young people, to the Europe and America. Songs are in Jula (Banbara), French, English. One aim, one god, and one destiny. Take it or leave it! Song Translations: 1) Yere conseiller (Advise yourself) If there is no one to give you advice, you have to advise yourself, oppressed people of Africa. Why build and then demolish--are we going forwards or backwards? If you look at the Ivory Coast, Angola, RDC, or Rwanda, we have become our own enemies, and now are sorry for what is happening in the third world. Even the chicken in her pen can take care of herself. The lamb may be fenced in, but he has grass to eat. We need to make use of what we have. Only then can we be free. 2) Degwa pas rasta (Don't be discouraged, rasta) It’s not the rasta style to be discouraged, why create a situation that divides blood brothers? Light triumphs over darkness, and god won’t let us fail, if we stay in the light. Gimme five, and don’t be discouraged, in spite of the obstacles of life. 3) Pian pian to (Rebels without a cause) The person who wants to reveal traditional secrets will die young. In our traditions, there are mysteries that must remain unexplained, as a way of maintaining discipline in our culture. If you say all that you see or hear, you may die before your time. Pian pian to refers to someone who is wild, and imprudent. He is the enemy of secret traditions, and of the wise elders of the village. 4) Djonya (Slavery) I denounce all forms of slavery, notably mental, financial, and physical. Our leaders always take away independence, and unfortunately we are dominated and exploited for the profit the superpowers and their local underlings. Marcus Garvey and others tried, for the price of their own lives, that taking their own destiny into their own hands was the only way to have true autonomy. 5) Dugu tchira (The village is destroyed) One fine morning I heard the sound of the tam-tam and the voice of the griot, announcing the death of the village chief. His family was confused, fallen. There was a battle, with guns, machetes, spears, and blood flowed. There was chaos everywhere. This alludes to the war in Ivory Coast. 6) Kana yina (Never forget) This song recounts much of the history of Africa, Burkina Faso, and the black race in particular. This is the history I know best. Aw kana yina Thomas Sankara, Marcus Garvey, N’kwame Krumah, liberators of and inspiration for young Africans and their diaspora. The masses watch the back of the neck of the leader. 7) Toi qui ris (You who laugh) You, who laugh, ha ha,, you, who lives in luxury---don’t you see whats going on around you? The children in the streets, the women who aren’t liberated, the epidemics, the pandemics, the famines, and hunger at home. Give to Caesar that which is due to Caesar, and to God that which is due to God. Give me what is due to me: Justice, equality, all my rights. You must do this now, no more. 8) Nan kama (Born to win) One mustn’t envy the talents of an innocent person. In life we guide our own path and nothing can take that away. Leave me with my own fate, as we all have different destinies. 9) Yere conseiller (root version): This version was recorded in a hut in Kokrobite, Ghana, with King David and the group Afra. Dedication from King David: To all who have helped make this album happen, with a special dedication to my wife Tabitha Doniach. I also want to dedicate this album to my parents who died long ago in Africa, and to the members of BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS: “Zass” Silué Benjamin, “Ras” Issa, REST IN PEACE, and Traoré Noah, “Kass” Coulibaly Kassoum, “Pendju” Ouattara Mamadou. Thanks also to Karim Dika for a long friendship, and to Father Ben, who opened my eyes to the musical knowledge. Special thoughts to Thomas Sankara, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkruma, Norbert Zongo, and to his imperial majesty King Selassie of Ethiopia, who fought for the emancipation of oppressed peoples, REST IN PEACE. Restez arreté la lutte, pour la liberation continue Keep on standing, the fight for liberation continues I give thanks to the Rastafarian movement all over the world. Rastafari is our guide and protector. Holy Emmanuel I, Rastafari. Même dans le vide nous sommes en prison. Liberons-nous de tous les barreaux qui entravent notre development mental, spirituelle, et physique. ------------- Kana Yina King David: Author, composer, lead singer, guitar, kora Backup vocals: Folio Phox, Kassoum Coulibaly, King David Featuring in Nan Kama: Tom Ouedraogo, Ras August Ocean Flute: Samba Diarra Djembe: Solo Diarra Guitar: Karim Dika, King David Arrangements: Karim Dika, King David Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Arazana Studios, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso by Karim Dika and King David Produced by King David