Max Adioa

The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Max Adioa. The collection is unique because it offers an English insight into the Wolof spoke music of Senegalese Max Adioa.

Max Adioa, or in full Maxidilick Adioa, is a Senegalese musician that earns his place in the Roots Reggae Library, be it with only two albums he has produced with his group. Some of his music is in French and English, but most of it is in Wolof, a native language of Senegal.

A special message of gratitude goes out to Ahmed Ndao who has helped me to interpret the music of Max Adiao far beyond my own capabilities. Ahmed hails from Dakar, the capital of Senegal. I would also like to mention Louis Jean, another Senegalese musician with whom I share the love for Max Adioa's music.

Max Adioa - Soweto Man

01. Toubab Bilé

02. Jiggen Bu Ñul

03. Sama Yone

04. Soweto Man

05. Reggae Musik

06. Buma Done Yéne

07. Freedom For The Black People

08. N'deye Love Joy

In the year 1989 Max Adioa released the album Soweto Man. My foremost recommendation is to just turn up the volume and start listening. It all starts with 'Toubab Bilé'. This song is about colonialism and heroes of resistance like the soldiers in Thiaroye where Senegalese soldiers were killed while claiming for better payment from French colonial power, He also mentions soldiers who were killed in the Second World War. Other names that will definitaly be recognized while listening to 'Toubab Bilé' are those of Nelson Mandela and Bob Marley who both said no to white people, Babylon. This song is a tribute to all resisting forces to white oppression. Maxidilick brings this message with power and strength. 'Jiggen Bu Ñul' means "black woman" and Max is asking black women to stop bleaching, or "khéssal" in Wolof. Not only women do this, some men as well. They are in hospital disturbing their family and doctor. There is no reason for wanting to be bleached. 'Sama Yone' literally means "my way". This song is about the long road of life he experienced which includes hardship, pain, hunger, thirst. But a very important factor is playing music, both Reggae and Djembé. He shared these moments of joy and pain with a friend, and for this friend he sings this song. The introduction of 'Soweto Man' is a long one in which we hear the waves of the sea. All of a sudden, the music hits in hard. "Do you remember date of June '76, Soweto wars burning night and day". This song is about the Soweto Uprising in 1976, when protest were held against the use of the Afrikaans language in Soweto schools. Police reacted by shooting, killing numerous people. We change to a more positive spirit when Max Adioa invites all people to come together and dance to the 'Reggae Musik'. He ask people to do no wrong. Because whatever you do, you shall be the one paying the price. Just as Bob Marley sings in 'The Heathen', "as a man sow, shall he reap". In the chorus Max sings "reggae is good and heavy". 'Buma Done Yéne' means "if I were you". The advice from Adioa is to not be invlved with politics. He reminds us that politicians always make promises which they don't keep, If I promise, it's only lies! He points out the unity in Europe and the United States, but sings that there is none in Africa. Africa is still divided and that is caused by politicians. 'N'deye Love Joy', where he asks "why are you crying mother?" This song is about the return of a prodigal son besides, about whom bad things have been said. He comes from a long way and is finally home. 

Max Adioa - Waxe

01. Liberty

02. Jubbo

03. Waxe

04. Le Roi Sans Couronne

05. Rastaman Soul

06. Konimase

07. Africa

08. Sarah

09. Soppe

10. Rastaman Wake Up 

A number of years later, seven to be precise, Adioa comes with his second album titled Waxe. According to Ahmed Ndao, the word "waxe" in Wolof is usually written as "wax", and means "word". The pronounciation of the word will be found in the title track. The start of this album is 'Liberty', "liberty for everyone". The electric guitar plays an important role in the song.  'Jubbo' means "agree", but in the way he sings it in this song he means "unite", thus "people unite!" Let's get togther for peace and harmony, let's agree to have better life. If I was a president or minister I would do my best to avoid strikes at schools and try to give people food and a better education. The table is turned. It is time to work together and do the things to make a better life. He is against the all current form of politics. Then the title track 'Waxe'. As you might have heard the sound now and then in Wolof, you pronounce x like the "g" in Dutch", or the "j" in spanish. As said before, "wax" or "waxe" means "word". The lyrics are about giving someone a piece of his mind. A word back to someone who once said bad words. He says that he left his family in pursuit of happiness. Every word has its answer is the chorus. It is in line with the song 'N'deye Loy Joy' on the Soweto Man album. I find 'Le Roi Sans Couronne' a beautiful song to listen to. In English "the King without crown", where he sings: "I'm a king without crown, and music is my kingdom. I'm a king without throne and my queen is my guitar. I'm living in a field full of sweetness and melancholy". The bass sound of 'Le Roi Sans Couronne' is simply brilliant, adding to the perfection of the song. A Rastaman rhythm, power and feeling in 'Rastaman Soul' because it has been a long, long time. 'Konimase' is a word from the Bambara language that is spoken predominantly in Mali but also in some parts of Senegal. 'Africa' belongs to both you and me. That is the message to the young generation. We take a step back for a slow song called 'Sarah'. She is a lazy, proud woman. Max apologizes for the things he has done wrong. From 'Sara' to 'Soppe', a lullaby for his love, singing "don't go baby, I love you so much, don't let me down, let's get together, let's stick together, kiss me, my heart beats for you, let's talk together, that's what we must do, I love you". He ends this album by singing he is a Rastaman in everything he does, and a political warrior. 'Rastaman Wake Up' because you must guide your children the right way. If it were my children, I would definitely tell them to pick up listening to these two great Max Adioa albums!

Studio Albums

««««« (1989) Soweto Man
««««« (1996) Waxe

Original Date Of Publishing: June 2016