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Papa Wemba — Sala Keba (Be Careful)
Album: Emotion
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1085









Released: 1995
Length: 3:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Moninga na nga yo yo
Atiki nga moko na kati ya esanga
Baweli se mosolo ya mbango
Bokima mbangu, sala keba okozoka moninga

Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo moninga)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo moninga na nga (Sala keba yo moninga)

Mokili mayi ya bwatu yo
Ozwi lelo lobi okoki pe kozanga
Bokimaki mbangu mbangu yo
Tala lelo osuki se na nzela

Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo moninga)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo moninga na nga (Sala keba yo moninga)

Baninga ba nga yo oh
Batiki nga moko na kati ya esanga
Baweli se mosolo ya mbangu mbangu
Okima mbangu, sala keba bokozoka ba ninga

Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo moninga)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo moninga na nga (Sala keba yo moninga)

Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo moninga na nga (Sala keba yo moninga)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo yo)
Sala keba yo moninga na nga (Sala keba yo moninga)

Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba)
Sala keba yo moninga (moninga na nga)
Sala keba yo yo (Sala keba yo)
Mokili ezali
Mokili ezali
Mokili ezali
Satana alingi abongwanisa se ko ya Nzambe
Comments (99)add comment
First Papa track I ever heard and was immediately blown away. Figured he was simply another new artist from Africa until I discovered he'd been a god in his native Congo for decades. This late period track is certainly a tasty treat but I encourage folks to check out the back catalog. 
Posted 2 months ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
 j.1.z wrote:

See, music like this is exactly why we love RP!  Thank you!




That is why we come here.  I now have TWO  of his tunes on "My Favorites" list.   Thanx RP!  
Posted 6 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Opening guitar sounds like "Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie & the Blowfish 
Posted 8 months ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
See, music like this is exactly why we love RP!  Thank you!
Posted 9 months ago by j.1.z    [ Reply ]
GREAT! I never heard of him prior to RP, now I like several of his tunes. May he rest in peace!  Thanx RP!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Ihatethissong wrote:

For me Radio Paradise is musical international travel.




I Agree! Excellent Tune!!  Thanx RP!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 redart wrote:


Exactly, right !?.   I have no problem with the posting of memes (is that what you call them?), but they should at the very least bear some relevance to the music.  Personally I down-vote any meme that, for me, distracts from the music.  A meme should enhance the listening experience in some way, otherwise what's the point !?  



It's a GIF of people dancing, to a song that sounds like it might make people consider dancing.  If that's not appropriate, how many of the comments in here do you think ARE appropriate? 

Is this the first time you've ever looked at these comments?
Posted 1 year ago by ice-9    [ Reply ]
Salabret ma jo-jo  
Posted 2 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
Unique and exquisite.   

Thank you RP
Posted 3 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
 Splabble wrote:


But does it have anything to do with the music?
 

Exactly, right !?.   I have no problem with the posting of memes (is that what you call them?), but they should at the very least bear some relevance to the music.  Personally I down-vote any meme that, for me, distracts from the music.  A meme should enhance the listening experience in some way, otherwise what's the point !?  
Posted 3 years ago by redart    [ Reply ]
Salad and Mayo, why not :)
Cool, cheery tune. Thank you B&R
Posted 3 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:

That looks like a whole lot of fun!
 

But does it have anything to do with the music?
Posted 3 years ago by Splabble    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:
 
That looks like a whole lot of fun!
Posted 3 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Only 6.1 rating? It's better than that.
I hear Lifted by Lighthouse Family and/or Over The Hill by John Martyn in the opening notes. That's not a bad thing!
Posted 3 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
 arserocket wrote:
I think it translates into 'salad made by you, you' in English, I could be wrong though? 
 
Too funny! ...LOL! ...good one!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Nice music :-)
Posted 4 years ago by zinchenko309    [ Reply ]
 arserocket wrote:
I think it translates into 'salad made by you, you' in English, I could be wrong though? 
 
Thanks for the genuine "LOL" moment.
Posted 4 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Celebrate my yo-yo
Posted 5 years ago by mckamx    [ Reply ]
I love this album. A great entry to world pop for world music newbies.  And it's just plain fun in its own right.  RIP Papa Wemba.
Posted 7 years ago by Middleton    [ Reply ]
RIP Papa Wemba. Tragically collapsed on stage and died last night. Thanks to RP for bringing his music to us.
Posted 8 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
 jonahboo wrote:
Hootie! - only wanna be w/ u

 
I think this album was released earlier than the tune you mentioned.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Southern Beach by Yo Yo
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 jonahboo wrote:
Hootie! - only wanna be w/ u

 
The beginning does sound quite alike.
Posted 9 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

Sounds to me like "sellotape my yo-yo", which won't do the yo-yo any good. Someone needs to put us out of our ignorant misery and post an English translation on here. Yer man's coat has the biggest hood I've ever seen - you could camp out in that.


 
Um - look at the information in the RP player!  Sala Keba means "be careful".  ;)
Posted 10 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Nice song to bring some light into a rainy miserable day.

 
And a treat to see him live with a hot supporting band. Yo Yo!!
Posted 10 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
excellent track and thi cd will be added to my many African collections
Posted 11 years ago by jambohas    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP! I used to play this song occasionally on my "Greater Earth Vibrations" at UVM's WRUV-FM in the 90's. Great to -ever- hear it outside my collection!
Posted 11 years ago by Greyjoca    [ Reply ]
Somehow has a sound from 'Graceland' from Paul Simon. I'm diggin' on this one...yep!
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I gave this song a six. S'at okay by you, you?

Posted 12 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

Sounds to me like "sellotape my yo-yo", which won't do the yo-yo any good. Someone needs to put us out of our ignorant misery and post an English translation on here. Yer man's coat has the biggest hood I've ever seen - you could camp out in that.

 
That's a salad cape (ah - yo - yo...)

Posted 12 years ago by ice-9    [ Reply ]
Hootie! - only wanna be w/ u
Posted 12 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Wonderful song for a sunny Sunday morning.  Sala Keba - Be Careful.  I love it.... {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Nice song to bring some light into a rainy miserable day.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
I think it translates into 'salad made by you, you' in English, I could be wrong though? 
Posted 13 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
 mapman wrote:
{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
It's not about his yo-yo?

Fun and refreshing!
 
{#High-five} Loving it! Great sets on RP this morning.

Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
It's not about his yo-yo?

Fun and refreshing!
Posted 13 years ago by mapman    [ Reply ]
I had to check out what was this, as the singer was sounding familiar, but I sure never heard this.   After getting his name I remembered he Toured with Peter Gabriel quite a few years ago.

Posted 13 years ago by timesliphu    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Sounds like he is singing "Celebrate my yo-yo" but I still like it {#Music}
 
Sounds to me like "sellotape my yo-yo", which won't do the yo-yo any good. Someone needs to put us out of our ignorant misery and post an English translation on here. Yer man's coat has the biggest hood I've ever seen - you could camp out in that.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Sounds like he is singing "Celebrate my yo-yo" but I still like it {#Music}
 

Agreed - and what a nice little tune!
Posted 13 years ago by suebee3    [ Reply ]
Sounds like he is singing "Celebrate my yo-yo" but I still like it {#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}

One of my all time favourites !!  
No other radio-station plays this song.
Thank you RP.  {#Roflol}

Posted 13 years ago by tomka    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
8 -> 9!{#Dancingbanana}
 
me too!!  sounds good on this Friday afternoon!

Posted 13 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9!{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This one goes to 11...
Posted 14 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
Great tune! I'm looking for the English Translation of this song. Can anyone help me out?

Posted 14 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
This is in, but "Show Me The Way" isn't? That has me scratching my noggin.
Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
Papa Wemba......Yay!!!!{#Bananajam}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Love this stuff. More, more...
Posted 14 years ago by posworld    [ Reply ]
SMALL BIT OF TRIVIA: Papa Wemba is the guy who chants on the end of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes".

Posted 14 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
Yo Yo Ma

Serenade by Yo Yo?

Posted 14 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 subwayseries wrote:
Sell a cake by Yo-Yo?  .....

Chuckle, chuckle.
Posted 14 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 runaway wrote:

He sounds a bit of an activist. Good on 'im.
 
I am sure the population of Europe is short on illegals.  If you want more, why not change the laws to let them come LEGALLY and then donate some money for their travel expenses. 

I say shame on 'im.

Posted 14 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Excellent song, awesome comment thread.
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 subwayseries wrote:
Sell a cake by Yo-Yo? Thanks. I tried that once and got arrested in Paris. Never again, dudes.
OK, seriously though this song has a very pretty guitar track. When Wemba goes to his upper register, only small dogs can hear him. He's got a great range and represents Africa as well as one can with Westernized Afro-pop.
 
{#Lol}{#Bounce}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
I'm going with "Salad Cake" by "Yo-Yo"
Posted 14 years ago by gdignard    [ Reply ]
This is cool, but I think "Show Me The Way" is way better.
Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
{#Hearteyes} Love it!
Posted 15 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
Sell a cake by Yo-Yo? Thanks. I tried that once and got arrested in Paris. Never again, dudes.


OK, seriously though this song has a very pretty guitar track. When Wemba goes to his upper register, only small dogs can hear him. He's got a great range and represents Africa as well as one can with Westernized Afro-pop.
Posted 15 years ago by subwayseries    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:

Dang it! Now that's all I hear!
 
Lets be positive and help him celebrate his yo-yo instead.


Posted 15 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
I really like this song.
Though the album cover is a bit strange...

Posted 15 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
 big_gare wrote:
Salivate on my Yo-Yo? Woah, kinky man!
 
Dang it! Now that's all I hear!
Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
I feel his pain.  I hate it when my salad eats my yo-yo.
Posted 15 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
Naaldekoker wrote:
This is a stunning album...it has everthing that makes my heart warm when it comes to Africa. thank you RP!
Yes indeed! Viva Mama Afrika! Brings back good memories...
Posted 15 years ago by garthwb    [ Reply ]
Naaldekoker wrote:
This is a stunning album...it has everthing that makes my heart warm when it comes to Africa. thank you RP!
thanks for that! now i know i have to have it
Posted 15 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
Decent sound and great feelings come about this one... Thanks RP
Posted 15 years ago by pepoo    [ Reply ]
This is a stunning album...it has everthing that makes my heart warm when it comes to Africa. thank you RP!
Posted 16 years ago by Naaldekoker    [ Reply ]
Does that look like Cuba Gooding Jr. on the cover?
Posted 16 years ago by kindermanltd    [ Reply ]
highwindows wrote:
Saw him live a couple of years ago - he was sensational. BTW anyone know of he is still banged up - after being convicted of smuggling illegal immigrants into Europe?
Wikipedia say:
On 18 February 2003, suspected of being involved in a network that has allegedly smuggled hundreds of illegal immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) into Europe, Papa Wemba was arrested at his home in Paris. Papa Wemba was eventually found guilty at some level in June 2003 and spent three and a half months in prison. He appeared again in a French court on 25 October 2004. And in November 2004, he was sentenced by the criminal court in Bobigny, a Paris suburb, to 30 months in jail and a $13,000 fine. But 26 months were suspended, and because he spent almost four months in jail after his arrest in February 2003, Papa Wemba did not have to serve any more time.
He sounds a bit of an activist. Good on 'im.
Posted 16 years ago by runaway    [ Reply ]
karljonasson wrote:
A rare 1 for unwarranted happiness.
What does that mean, exactly, "unwarranted happiness?" Who gets to decide?
Posted 16 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Salivate on my Yo-Yo? Woah, kinky man!
Posted 16 years ago by big_gare    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Yeah, his salad ate his yo-yo, apparently. Such a shame.
No, that's not it. I asked him, "How did you get here?" and he said, "Son, I came by yo-yo."
Posted 16 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
Paikea wrote:
Yeah! My upload! What a great song!
Papa and the full band: his live act is very full on, very rich and gets to your abdomen, not your head.
Posted 16 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Thank you so very, very much for not being that awful "Only Wanna Be With Yooooooo" Hootie song. I was working and I heard those first acoustic chords and it sounded like it for a sec. This is much better. I also laughed quite a bit at the comments below, great stuff you guys.
Posted 17 years ago by TexasAggies    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Yeah, his salad ate his yo-yo, apparently. Such a shame.
Oh, it was so wrong to laugh at this . . . and yet I did. Shame on me.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
esotericderek wrote:
Is it me, or does this guy look like Cuba Gooding, Jr. in a sleeping bag?
It does look like him. And he ate the salad AND the yoyo.
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
I don't care where it comes from if it makes me grin like this does!
Exactly. Keep it coming!
Posted 17 years ago by cattgirl813    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
Is it me, or does this guy look like Cuba Gooding, Jr. in a sleeping bag?
Posted 17 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
Celebrate my yoyo?
Posted 17 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
Catchy tune! For you who don't understand the lyrics, he's singing "sala keba yoyo."
Posted 17 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
tomka wrote:
please play more african music
I don't care where it comes from if it makes me grin like this does!
Posted 17 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
Yeah, his salad ate his yo-yo, apparently. Such a shame. JesseDewey wrote:
Poor man ....... lost his yo-yo.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Sorry, this is a 1.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
That comment just produced a, "did I just laugh too loudly here in my cubicle?" experience. physicsgenius wrote:
Is that one of those dog collars so he won't bite his stitches?
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Poor man ....... lost his yo-yo.
Posted 17 years ago by JesseDewey    [ Reply ]
the little dancing bananna makes the song!!
Posted 17 years ago by estaB    [ Reply ]
please play more african music
Posted 17 years ago by tomka    [ Reply ]
Saw him live a couple of years ago - he was sensational. BTW anyone know of he is still banged up - after being convicted of smuggling illegal immigrants into Europe?
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite Papa Wemba song, but in general, I'm up for more music of any / all of the great African pop stars. Even when mediocre, PW still has something that most other singers lack ...
Posted 18 years ago by Ennis    [ Reply ]
I like the percussion; gives it richness. And the sun is shining here today and that almost never happens. (It's true!)
Posted 18 years ago by sparrow    [ Reply ]
Is that one of those dog collars so he won't bite his stitches?
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Ahhhh...that guitar takes me back...to the Small World Bar, with a Tusker in my hand and a groovin' local band on the stage.
Posted 18 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I like the beat. I give it a 5. No points for lyrics.
Posted 18 years ago by GuidoNM    [ Reply ]
I Loves It!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by joybejoy    [ Reply ]
Yeah! My upload! What a great song!
Posted 18 years ago by Paikea    [ Reply ]