Ibeyi

Sometime last year I heard a song and I thought, “this is a really good song.” Then later I heard the song again and I thought “oh right, this is a really good song. I really should listen to it more. And more. And more…”

The song was “Ghosts” from a duo called Ibeyi. Upon hearing “Ghosts” for the second time, I did download their entire album, assuming correctly that there would be more amazingness in their other songs. They were clearly very talented.

I was not disappointed. As I was driving to work one morning, the song “Oya” came on and I almost had to pull over because it blew me away.  Much like “Ghosts,” “Oya” showcased Ibeyi’s ability to transport you to a magical realm with their harmonies, their beautiful and often haunting lyrics, and elements of afro-cuban jazz, soul, and R&B sounds.

The ladies, Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz, are sisters (the internet tells me Ibeyi means twins in Yoruba). Their father, Anga Diaz, was a member of the Buena Vista Social Club and their mother, Maya Dagnino, is also a singer. A very talented family, indeed.

Ibeyi’s songs are in English and Yoruba. I don’t always understand the lyrics but I still find myself connecting to their music and having a sense of what the song is about, if not clear from the English parts. Then when I am able to find out a little about the meaning of the parts in Yoruba, it often enhances the song that I already adore. For instance, “Oya” is a deity of death and rebirth. There is more to it than simply this but reading up on her and seeing the video help to garner a greater understanding of where Ibeyi is with this song.

Also, I find myself still singing along with the Yoruba lyrics, even if I do not know their meaning. “Mai mai mai soronso ae/Aggayu soronso.” (I have looked up these lyrics but am unable to find translation though it seems Aggayu may be a deity of volcanoes, and if you think about it in the context of “Ghosts” it makes sense).

After listening to their album obsessively, I have begun to notice the sisters everywhere. Most notably, they appeared a few times in Beyonce’s Lemonade and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater (another inspiration of mine as you saw in my earlier post) recently performed a piece featuring the music of Ibeyi, called Deep. (Somehow in my obsession of Alvin Ailey and Ibeyi I missed this show and can only watch clips of it online now. Please do it again!)

It makes me so happy to see these super-talented women get the praise they deserve! I eagerly recommend them to anyone who appreciates good music. And so does Beyonce, so you should listen.