Magic System 1er Gaou Instrumental Download
Kirby Apodaca
Magic System - 1er Gaou: The Afropop Classic That Made History
If you have ever attended an African event, chances are you have heard the catchy tune of "1er Gaou" by Magic System. The song, which means "First Fool" in urban Abidjan slang, is one of the most successful and influential Afropop songs of all time. It tells the story of a poor musician who rejects his ex-girlfriend after he becomes famous, and features a colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang. The song was originally recorded in 1999 as part of the zouglou movement, a political dance music genre that emerged in Côte d'Ivoire in the early 1990s. It became a smash hit in Africa and then in France, where it was remixed and released in 2002. The song catapulted Magic System, a quartet from a poor neighborhood in Abidjan, to international fame and recognition. It also paved the way for the hybrid genres that are popular today, such as Afrotrap, Afrowave, Afroswing, and Afrobeats, and influenced global megastars like Beyoncé and Drake. In this article, we will explore the meaning, history, impact, and legacy of "1er Gaou", as well as where you can listen to or download it.
What is 1er Gaou and what does it mean?
"1er Gaou" is a song by Ivorian Zouglou artists Magic System, taken from the album of the same name. The title literally means "First Fool" in urban Abidjan slang called Nouchi. The song contains an autobiographical account of lead singer Salif "A'Salfo" Traoré about his ex-girlfriend who tried to hook up with him again when he became famous.
The autobiographical story behind the song
The lyrics tell the story of an aspiring musician whose girlfriend leaves him because of his poverty. After he becomes rich and she sees him on TV, she tries to win him back. He turns her down, saying her leaving him does not really matter; only if he took her back he would become a "fool once more".
The song is based on A'Salfo's real-life experiences. When he was an aspiring, poor artist, his girlfriend Antou left him, but when he became a celebrity with Magic System, she tried to win him back, but A'Salfo turned her down.
The colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang
The lyrics feature a colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang called Nouchi. This is especially evident in the refrain of "Et on dit premier gaou n'est pas gaou oh / C'est deuxième gaou qui est niata oh (ah)" ("They say that the first fool is not a fool / It is the second fool who is a fool"), which expresses that his first folly (her leaving him) is not really a folly at all, only accepting her back would be.
Nouchi is a sociolect that emerged in Abidjan in the 1970s as a way for urban youth to communicate among themselves and resist social oppression. It mixes French with local languages such as Baoulé, Dioula, Bété, and Attié, as well as English, Spanish, Arabic, and other languages. It is widely used in music, literature, media, and everyday speech in Côte d'Ivoire and other parts of West Africa.
How did 1er Gaou become a hit in Africa and beyond?
"1er Gaou" was not an overnight success. It took several years and different versions for the song to reach its full potential and audience. The song was born out of the zouglou movement, a political dance music genre that emerged in Côte d'Ivoire in the early 1990s. It was first recorded in 1999 as part of Magic System's debut album, which was produced by a local studio called Woyo. The song became popular in Abidjan and other parts of Côte d'Ivoire, but it was not until 2002 that it broke into the international market, thanks to a remix by French DJ Bob Sinclar. The remix boosted the song's exposure and sales in France and other European countries, as well as in Canada and the US. The song topped the charts in several countries and sold over a million copies worldwide.
The origins of zouglou music and woyo street sound
Zouglou is a musical genre that originated in Côte d'Ivoire in the early 1990s, during a period of political and social unrest. It was created by university students who used music as a form of protest and expression against the government and the elites. Zouglou songs typically feature humorous lyrics that criticize social issues, such as corruption, poverty, unemployment, and violence. Zouglou artists also use dance moves and gestures to convey their messages. Zouglou music is influenced by traditional Ivorian rhythms, such as ziglibithy, mapouka, and coupé-décalé, as well as by reggae, soukous, and makossa.
Woyo is a street sound system that was created by a group of young DJs and producers in Abidjan in the late 1990s. Woyo is named after a type of drum that is used in zouglou music. Woyo's main goal was to promote zouglou artists and their songs, especially those who did not have access to mainstream media or record labels. Woyo also organized street parties and concerts where zouglou fans could enjoy live performances and dance to their favorite tunes. Woyo played a crucial role in the development and diffusion of zouglou music in Côte d'Ivoire and beyond.
The remix that launched Magic System to fame in France
In 2002, Magic System's "1er Gaou" caught the attention of French DJ Bob Sinclar, who was looking for African songs to remix for his album Africanism. Sinclar contacted Magic System and proposed to remix their song with a more electronic and danceable sound. The remix was released as a single in France and became an instant hit. It reached number one on the French charts for seven weeks and stayed on the top 100 for 28 weeks. It also reached number two on the Belgian charts, number three on the Swiss charts, number four on the Dutch charts, number nine on the UK charts, and number 23 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The remix sold over 750,000 copies in France alone and over a million copies worldwide.
The chart performances and sales of the single
"1er Gaou" is one of the best-selling singles of all time in Africa and France. According to IFPI, it sold over two million copies worldwide as of 2004. According to SNEP, it sold over 750,000 copies in France as of 2002. According to Ultratop, it sold over 50,000 copies in Belgium as of 2003. According to BPI, it sold over 200,000 copies in the UK as of 2004. According to Billboard, it sold over 10,000 copies in the US as of 2003.
The following table summarizes the chart performances and sales of "1er Gaou" in different countries:
| Country |
|---|
| Peak position |
|---|
| Sales |
|---|
| France |
| 1 |
| 750,000+ |
| Belgium |
| 2 |
| 50,000+ |
| Switzerland |
| 3 |
| N/A |
| Netherlands |
| 4 |
| N/A |
| UK |
| 9 |
| 200,000+ |
| US |
| 23 (Dance Club Play) |
| 10,000+ |
| Africa |
| N/A |
| 1,000,000+ |
| Worldwide |
| N/A |
| 2,000,000+ |
What is the impact and legacy of 1er Gaou?
"1er Gaou" is more than just a catchy song. It is a cultural phenomenon that has shaped the music scene in Africa and beyond. The song has become a staple in African events and diaspora, as well as a source of inspiration for hybrid genres and global stars. The song has also earned Magic System numerous awards and recognition for their contribution to African music and culture.
The popularity of the song in African events and diaspora
"1er Gaou" is one of the most popular and recognizable songs in African events and diaspora. The song is often played at weddings, parties, festivals, and other celebrations, where people dance and sing along to its catchy chorus and refrain. The song is also used as a symbol of pride and identity for Africans and people of African descent, who relate to its message of resilience and success. The song has become a part of the collective memory and culture of many African communities around the world.
The influence of the song on hybrid genres and global stars
"1er Gaou" is one of the pioneers of hybrid genres that fuse African rhythms with other musical influences, such as hip hop, R&B, dancehall, reggaeton, and pop. These genres include Afrotrap, Afrowave, Afroswing, and Afrobeats, which are popular among young audiences in Africa and beyond. Some of the artists who have been influenced by "1er Gaou" and Magic System include MHD, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, J Hus, Stormzy, Drake, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and Major Lazer. These artists have incorporated elements of "1er Gaou" into their own songs or have collaborated with Magic System or other African artists.
The awards and recognition for Magic System
"1er Gaou" has earned Magic System numerous awards and recognition for their contribution to African music and culture. Some of these awards include:
- The Kora Award for Best Group from West Africa in 2002
- The MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2003
- The NRJ Music Award for Francophone Group/Duo of the Year in 2004
- The World Music Award for World's Best Selling African Artist in 2005
- The Ivorian National Order of Merit in 2015
- The BET Award for Best International Act: Africa in 2015
- The Ivorian National Order of Cultural Merit in 2017
- The UNESCO Artist for Peace title in 2018
Where can you listen to or download 1er Gaou?
If you want to listen to or download "1er Gaou", you have several options. The song has different versions and remixes that you can choose from. You can also find the song on various online platforms and sources that offer streaming or downloading services.
The different versions and remixes of the song
"1er Gaou" has several versions and remixes that vary in length, style, and language. Some of the most notable ones are:
- The original version: This is the version that was recorded in 1999 by Magic System at Woyo studio in Abidjan. It is about six minutes long and features zouglou beats and Nouchi lyrics. It is part of Magic System's debut album "1er Gaou".
- The Bob Sinclar remix: This is the version that was remixed by French DJ Bob Sinclar in 2002. It is about four minutes long and features electronic beats and French lyrics. It is part of Bob Sinclar's album "Africanism".
- The Mokobé remix: This is the version that was remixed by French rapper M okobé in 2006. It is about five minutes long and features rap verses and French lyrics. It is part of Mokobé's album "Mon Afrique".
- The 20th anniversary version: This is the version that was recorded in 2019 by Magic System to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the song. It is about four minutes long and features zouglou beats and Nouchi lyrics. It is part of Magic System's album "1er Gaou 20 ans après".
The online platforms and sources for the song
"1er Gaou" is available on various online platforms and sources that offer streaming or downloading services. Some of the most popular ones are:
- YouTube: You can watch the official music videos or the live performances of the song on YouTube. You can also use YouTube converters to download the song as an MP3 file.
- Spotify: You can stream the song on Spotify, a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs. You can also download the song for offline listening if you have a premium account.
- iTunes: You can buy and download the song on iTunes, a media player and library that lets you organize and enjoy your music. You can also sync the song to your Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
- Amazon Music: You can stream or download the song on Amazon Music, a music streaming platform and online music store that offers a variety of songs and albums. You can also access the song on your Amazon devices, such as Echo, Fire TV, or Kindle.
- Deezer: You can stream or download the song on Deezer, a music streaming service that offers personalized recommendations and playlists. You can also create your own radio stations based on your favorite artists or genres.
Conclusion
"1er Gaou" by Magic System is one of the most iconic and influential Afropop songs of all time. It tells the story of a poor musician who rejects his ex-girlfriend after he becomes famous, and features a colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang. The song was born out of the zouglou movement, a political dance music genre that emerged in Côte d'Ivoire in the early 1990s. It became a smash hit in Africa and then in France, where it was remixed by French DJ Bob Sinclar. The song catapulted Magic System to international fame and recognition, and paved the way for the hybrid genres that are popular today, such as Afrotrap, Afrowave, Afroswing, and Afrobeats. The song has also become a staple in African events and diaspora, as well as a source of inspiration for global stars like Beyoncé and Drake. The song has earned Magic System numerous awards and recognition for their contribution to African music and culture.
If you want to listen to or download "1er Gaou", you have several options. The song has different versions and remixes that you can choose from. You can also find the song on various online platforms and sources that offer streaming or downloading services.
We hope you enjoyed this article about "1er Gaou" by Magic System. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
FAQs
What does "gaou" mean?
"Gaou" is a Nouchi word that means "fool" or "naive". It is used to describe someone who is easily deceived or cheated.
Who are Magic System?
Magic System are an Ivorian Zouglou group composed of four members: Salif "A'Salfo" Traoré (lead vocals), Narcisse "Goude" Sadoua (vocals), Adama "Manadja" Fanny (vocals), and Étienne "Tino" Boué Bi (vocals). They formed in 1996 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
What are some other songs by Magic System?
Some other songs by Magic System include: "Bouger Bouger" (feat. Mokobé), "Ki Dit Mié" (feat. Khaled), "Magic In The Air" (feat. Chawki), "Même Pas Fatigué" (feat. Khaled), "Premier Rendez-Vous", "Tu Es Fou", and "Zouglou Dance".
What are some other artists who make similar music to Magic System?
Some other artists who make similar music to Magic System include: Awilo Longomba, DJ Arafat, Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé, MHD, P-Square, Serge Beynaud, Toofan, and Wizkid.
What are some other genres that are similar to zouglou?
Some other genres that are similar to zouglou include: coupé-décalé, makossa, mapouka, ndombolo, soukous, and zoblazo.
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