TLDR;
This video explores the story behind the popular song "La Caída" (The Fall), also known as "Messi Les Yé", by Emy Laskin Gomateque. It discusses the song's origins, its poignant lyrics about poverty and desperation in colonised Africa, and its journey to becoming a hit in the "picó" (sound system) culture of the Colombian Caribbean coast.
- The song tells the story of a man driven to steal to feed his family and pleading for mercy in court.
- "La Caída" became popular in Colombia through influential "picós" like El Parrandero, El Lore, El Rojo, and El Freddy.
- The lyrics are a protest against the exploitation and suffering caused by colonisation in Africa.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces the song "La Caída", noting the contrast between its upbeat music and its sad story. The song narrates the plight of a man forced to steal to feed his family and who is now seeking mercy from a jury. The video promises to explore the story behind the song.
Emy Laskin Gomateque: The Artist [0:47]
The video introduces Emy Laskin Gomateque, born in 1957 in the Central African Republic. He was involved in music from a young age, participating in choirs and bands, and was part of Diblo Dybala's Machacha orchestra, achieving success with them. The song "La Caída", known as "Messi Les Yé", was released in 1986 on the album "Emy Laskin Gomateque y la Orquesta Canon Superstars" featuring the "lonapapa" dance. The album also includes the song "Lina", popularly known as "El Pujón".
Lyrics and Meaning [2:09]
The video explains the lyrics of "Messi Les Yé" (Señores del Jurado), which translates to "Gentlemen of the Jury". It is a plea from a man on trial for a minor crime, not denying the act but seeking mercy due to his circumstances. The song is sung in both French and Lingala. The lyrics depict a desperate father explaining that he stole not for pleasure but out of hunger and the need to feed his starving children and wife, having been unable to find work. The lyrics are a protest against the colonisation of Africa, where resources were exploited, leaving the African people in poverty and violence. The man's story represents the suffering of colonised Africans forced to desperate measures.
Arrival to Colombian "Picós" [4:26]
The video details how "La Caída" reached the "picós" (sound systems) of the Colombian Caribbean coast, specifically Cartagena and Barranquilla. In Cartagena, David Borraz Paz brought the song to the "picó" El Parrandero, while El Lore was popularising "El Pujón". There was an incident where El Parrandero played "La Caída" as an exclusive, while El Lore played "El Pujón" as an exclusive, unaware that both songs were from the same album. In Barranquilla, the song was an exclusive of El Rojo, and it was also popularised by El Freddy. These "picós" were instrumental in popularising the song in Colombia, where it remains a beloved track.
Conclusion [5:36]
The video concludes, expressing hope that viewers enjoyed learning about the song's history and its significance within the "picó" culture and African music.
