“Premier Gaou” tells the story of a man rejected by his girlfriend. The love is there, the song says, but not the money: She’s distant because he’s too poor, and can’t afford to lavish her with the good life. For the band called Magic System, “Premier Gaou” is autobiographical — a depiction of what the lead singer, Salif “Asalfo” Traoré, went through in the group’s home country (Ivory Coast), in their home capital (Abidjan), in their home neighborhood (Marcory). It’s local songwriting for what turned out to be a global audience — an audience that responded to the tune’s catchy phrasing and message that, even during bad times, things might get better.
“It’s showing the socio-economic difficulties that were happening in Abidjan — it’s about a poor, loving guy whose girlfriend is more interested in his wallet (than him),” says singer Narcisse “Goude” Sadoua, in a phone call from West Africa before flying to San Francisco, where Magic System is performing tonight, Saturday, Nov. 6 at Mezzanine. “If you have money, you can get things you want. If you don’t, you can’t.”
On YouTube, three million people have watched a version of “Premier Gaou” that was uploaded four years ago, with comments reflecting Magic System’s worldwide reach. “I’m from Nepal,” wrote one person this week, “but I think Magic System rules.” Wrote another fan: “This is the official song of Africa.”
In a way it is. Magic System sings in African languages (including Bete), not just French, so its songs reflect pre-colonial Africa. And the hip-twisting, arm-waving dance moves that Magic System makes in the video version of “Premier Gaou” originated in Africa — in Abidjan, during the 1990s, when political unrest gave way to a coup in 1999. The eye-catching dance style is called Zouglou — and it’s an ideal complement to Magic System’s uplifting (though at times, bittersweet) music.