BIKO - Manu Dibango / Peter Gabriel

featuring Alex Brown, Peter Gabriel, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Geoffrey Oryema and Sinead O'Connor

Firstly, I need to apologize for ommiting any picture of Alex Brown. I could not find any pictures, let alone any information on him, despite him being a prominent artist on this track, Any information will be appreciated. No disrespect intended...any help welcome.

"Biko" is a protest song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel. The song was included on Gabriel's third album, Peter Gabriel (1980). It is about Steve Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977. After being held in custody for several days, he was interrogated in room 619 of the Walmer Street prison in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.[1] Following the interrogation, during which he sustained serious head injuries, Biko was transferred to a prison in Pretoria, where he died shortly afterwards, on September 12, 1977. Gabriel often plays the song at the end of concerts, encouraging the audience to join in the singing, and eventually leaving only the drummer on stage.
"Biko" was first released as a single in 1980, when it reached #38 on the British charts.

This version is from the 1994 Manu Dibango Album WAKAFRIKA.
One line of the lyrics reads "Yehla Moya" which in Xhosa means "Come Spirit".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• biko
• peter
• gabriel
• manu
• dibango
• alex
• brown
• ladysmith
• black
• mambazo
• geoffrey
• oryema
• sinead
• o'connor

[Alimac1112]

looking for some good african music. anyone?

[funkhouse111]

@Alimac1112 i'M ABOUT TO UPLOAD SOME MORE FROM a group that is from Senegal, and used to play here in Sydney (Bu-Baca)...they blended their music with local sounds..really top stuff. Look out for it :))

[starstyx]

I cried in 1978 when I read Donald Woods' book called "Biko" I cried when I first heard this song. I still cry for South Africa.

What a beautiful rendition of this tragic song.

[funkhouse111]

@starstyx i get the same reaction. The book you talk about, by Donald Woods sits with pride on my coffee table.

[etde4]

This project has been originated by Yves Bigot, Managing Director of FNAC Music record label. Producer was George Acogny and executive producer was Philippe Poustis.

[funkhouse111]

@etde4 thanks you for this info...much appreciated!!

[sailedude]

awsome song ..

[cooljewelie]

what a beautiful version of this song. you can blow out a candle but you cant blow out the fire

[inibo]

This is a very nice version of this song.

[johnnyrocket05]

I and my five year old sang this song last friday night at Peter Gabriel's concert.

The start of a new generation of knowing the trurth !!!!!!!!!

[Alimac1112]

@funkhouse111 great thanks :)

[timsox6]

i went to peter gabriel's concert and he had the whole audience pumping their fists in the air by the end of this song. it was great.

[GBWatanabe]

A beautiful rendition of a beautiful song.