I was commissioned by the director Baltasar Kormákur to write this song for his Hollywood movie “Beast”, starring the renowned actor Idris Elba. The heart of the film’s narrative touches on the parallel existence of man and beast, and the need for wildlife and its environment to be protected. The song talks of the fragility of our planet and the pain it is experiencing, calling on humans to respect the nature that supports and enables our very existence. I called on the renowned South African Zulu poet, educator and social activist Eugene Skeef to write the lyrics for my second verse and choruses in the Zulu language. By singing in Zulu, I wanted to pay my respects to the fact that the movie was filmed on South Africa soil, and more importantly to celebrate and pay homage to the beautiful diversity of African languages. I seek to demonstrate that as Africans we need not always default to using European languages in our music, when we have a continent full of rich African languages that we can explore and celebrate.
lyrics
VERSE 1:
Nying duniyaa kono
Koleyaal ka ké lé
Duniyaa si n’nyoo’séeyaa
Bari, wo nyaawo’nyaa
Kano néné té burr’ka la
Kano
Meng mu n’na sorri féng baa ti
Nyang’ta ka duniyaa buu’nyaa a’ning a’baluwoo méng baa kono
CHORUS:
Indalo, ah
Ulimi lumoya ndalo, ah
Masiyi la lele ndalo, ah
(Repeated)
Masiyi la lele indalo
VERSE 2:
Too’nyaa lem
Nying duniyaa té féng ti
Bari a’sembo si i’tinyaa noo lé
Duniyaa tanka méng yé baluwoo dii ila
CHORUS:
Indalo, ah
Ulimi lumoya ndalo, ah
Masiyi la lele ndalo, ah
(Repeated)
Masiyi la lele indalo
OUTRO:
Eeee indalo ilimele
credits
from Badinyaa Kumoo,
track released January 16, 2023
Composed and produced Sona Jobarteh
Lead Vocals | Rhythm Guitar | Kora | Percussion | Drum programming | String score: Sona Jobarteh
Backing Vocals: Sona Jobarteh and Eric Appapoulay
Guitar / Bass / Drums – Eric Appapoulay
Balafon – Sidiki Jobarteh-Codjoe
Violin – Bruce White
Cello – Ian Burdge
Brushes – Miroca Paris
Mixed by Femi Temowo
Mastered By Chris Pavey
Dearest Arooj, firstly thank you. My brother died this year n what can be said about such loss n sadness. I saw n heard you at The end of the Road in England. I spent many years in India n love all the music, poetry of your heritage. Thankyou Arooj❤️ ben1769
I love these women. the voices mesh together perfectly; also the world music is exceptional. I have all of their albums and they're all excellent. Give them a listen. Steve Lake
A master of the West African kora, living in Denmark, brings together folk and pop from different corners of the globe to stunning effect. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 5, 2018
Ballaké Sissoko is my favorite kora player, and following his musical life has led me to some of my most beloved musical discoveries.
This latest release is every bit as gorgeous as all of his prior work.
And it is so clear how he brings the best out of each of his collaborators. Charlie Moonbeam