Ilies Tagne Kamguem, known as Tagne, writes the lyrics for ‘Nadi Canadi,’ with Voluptyk handling the music. The song starts with a raw declaration, ‘Yes, yes,’ setting the tone for a story about ambition and struggle. Tagne’s words mix personal grit with a plea for family loyalty, while the beat gives it a sharp, urban edge.
Released: March 15, 2021
Nadi Canadi
Tagne
Nadi Canadi Lyrics English Translation by Tagne
Tagne tells the story of a man determined to rise above his circumstances. One line stands out, ‘Mama tells me to go bring back the money,’ reflecting the pressure to provide for loved ones. The musician uses vivid details like a Milan-stamped passport and Amsterdam’s streets to ground the narrative in reality.
Oui ouiYes, yes.
Gaa li f houmti baghin ysauveuEveryone in my hood wants to save themselves.
Mama katwassini njib les lovesMama tells me to go bring back the money.
Gatli fergaa el bab bla ma tsoniShe said, “Kick down the door without knocking.”
Amerhom ma yehmelouk nhar ghatsauviThey’ll never stand you the day you actually make it.
Passeport fih tabe3 milanoPassport’s got that Milan stamp on it.
Ana jay andek mi amorI’m coming to you, my love.
Wakha ghi yebqaw fiya khouti shabiEven though I’ll miss my brothers and friends.
Nhar anemchi nseb el patronThe day I leave, I’m cursing out the boss.
Chi marrat kanchouf f retro kayna la pgSometimes I check the rearview, and the ‘police’ are there.
Nherbou men el menotte nherbou men el ghachiRunning from the handcuffs, running from the crowd.
Bergaga ketrou ketrou f l ghettoSnitches have multiplied inside the ghetto.
Ma bghitch nchoufhom ma bqitch telqaniI don’t want to see them; you won’t find me anymore.
Khwi la cabeza gaa li f qelbiClear my head of everything in my heart.
Khwi la cabeza amer ghir jibiClear my head, just fill up my pockets.
Nthella f la miffa homa li endichI take care of the family; they’re all I’ve got.
Nderbou ta merraWe struggle through it all.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiSuck up to people? Never in life, but I’m always top-tier.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Nlehssou l kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiWe never kiss a##, never in life, but we’re always top-tier.
Et jamais d’la vie jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, never in my life.
Et jamais d’la vie oui jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, yes, never in my life.
Mi amore l cadeau dyalek f la valiseMy love, your gift is packed in the suitcase.
Andik men milano tal barizTaking you from Milan all the way to Paris.
Andourou west znaqi amsterdamWe’ll roam through the streets of Amsterdam.
Ala weldek anhebssou ta l z#tlaFor your son’s sake, we’ll even give up the h#sh.
Ta l z#tla el mochkhila ra khalisEven the potent h#sh is already paid for.
W anti bati lahmek ala l khalisBut you sold your flesh just for the payment.
Bati rasek rkhissa ma chérieYou sold yourself cheap, my dear.
Ma chérie men nity kount baghikMy dear, I seriously wanted you.
Lqit rassi weleft drama weleft el amalI found myself used to the drama, used to hope.
Mousiqa hazina kif sawt el kamanSad music, sounding just like a violin.
Chi marrat ana kanbghi la k#lashSometimes, I really want the ‘r#fle’.
Chi marrat ana kankmi lqtatSometimes, I just smoke away the scenes.
La smeati l hedra tlea maak l bananIf you listen to the talk, you’ll go completely bananas.
Tiyqti l hedra tlea maak l bananIf you believe the gossip, you’ll lose your mind.
Nti sbab blaya antiya li ghaletYou’re the cause of my trouble; you’re the one in the wrong.
Nti sbab blayaYou’re the reason for my affliction.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiSuck up to people? Never in life, but always top-tier.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Nlehssou l kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiWe never kiss a##, never in life, but we’re always top-tier.
Et jamais d’la vie jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, never in my life.
Et jamais d’la vie oui jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, yes, never in my life.
Dommage qelbi wella glacéIt’s a shame, my heart has turned to ice.
Dommage qelbi wella glacéIt’s a shame, my heart is completely frozen.
Zidli kissan zid les glaçonsPour me more drinks, add more ice cubes.
Ghadi nwelli mauvais garçonI’m going to turn into a ‘bad boy’.
Bnadema kaykhesserli khatriPeople keep ruining my mood.
W kanwelli khayeb machi l khatriAnd I become nasty, though it’s not my choice.
Katwelli drif w kayakloukYou act nice, and they eat you alive.
Ban fik l ayb nhar li taqouYour true colors showed the day they trusted you.
Ouais kandekhel drahem ma katkfanichYeah, I bring in money, but it’s not enough for me.
Kanzid drahem ma katkfanichI add more money, and it still doesn’t satisfy me.
L famila kbira ma kaynch naas khessni nwelli makinaFamily is big, no time for sleep; I have to become a machine.
Chouf l seha katbqa waqfa maana dimaLook, our health stays standing with us always.
Oui jamais d’la vieYes, never in my life.
Jamais d’la vida ouais ouais ouaisNever in this life, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Qdami mrayti kanchouf totò riinaIn front of my mirror, I see Totò Riina.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Nlehssou l kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiWe never kiss a##, never in life, but we’re always top-tier.
Ana f secteur a mamati ghatelqayni nadi canadiI’m in the sector, Mama, you’ll find me fresh and top-tier.
Nlehssou l kappa jamais d’la vie mais dima nadi canadiWe never kiss a##, never in life, but we’re always top-tier.
Et jamais d’la vie jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, never in my life.
Et jamais d’la vie oui jamais d’la vieAnd never in my life, yes, never in my life.
Jamais d’la vie jamais d’la vieNever in my life, never in my life.
Jamais d’la vie oui jamais d’la vieNever in my life, yes, never in my life.
Jamais d’la vie jamais d’la vieNever in my life, never in my life.
Jamais d’la vie oui jamais d’la vieNever in my life, yes, never in my life.
Nadi Canadi Music Video
‘Nadi Canadi’ is about the fight for survival and success. The lyrics show the sacrifices made to keep family afloat, blending personal struggle with unyielding pride.