"Boomer" is a song by Gaël Faye, a singer, rapper, and poet from Rwanda. The song is a celebration of African music and culture, as well as a reflection on the changing landscape of the music industry. In the lyrics, Gaël Faye acknowledges that in the past, rap and Afro music were not widely accepted or appreciated. However, he highlights that now everyone is addicted to these genres and asks who are the real masters or influencers in the industry. He mentions his unique style of dressing, comparing it to a white "bazin boubou" (traditional African attire), and humorously refers to himself as FUBU, a well-known clothing brand among African Americans. Gaël Faye also boasts about putting a lot of bass in his music to make people move and even claims to bring fire to someone's igloo, symbolizing his ability to ignite passion and energy in his audience. The artist references martial arts, comparing his punch lyrics to the strikes of a nunchaku, and asks the listener if they understand the reference. Gaël Faye then assures his audience that he and his fellow artists will fix the crazy world they live in. He mentions several locations in Africa, from Kigali (the capital of Rwanda) to Goma (a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo), emphasizing his wide reach. Gaël Faye describes his music as being of lethal and energetic dose, causing a "boom" effect. He encourages people to sing, dance, and make the speakers boom, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The song continues with Gaël Faye asserting that his music spices up people's lives like salt and chili (pili-pili). He claims to make both the young and old dance, drawing a parallel with the Congolese band Staff Benda Bilili, known for their energetic performances. He challenges the concept of a summer hit by stating that for him, every day is summer, and if people free their minds, their bodies will follow the rhythm. Gaël Faye mentions receiving a bill for his forehead, suggesting that people should pay for the experience and entertainment he provides, especially as the world faces uncertain times. He uses the imagery of melting ice (fondant de glaçon), another metaphor for the impact of his music. He wants his sound to make people move and create an explosion in the speakers or sound system. Gaël Faye continues encouraging people to sing, dance, and make the boomers (the sound systems) go loud. He acknowledges that life is about staying awake and alert, even when the situation seems bad. The phrase "mal est fait" can loosely be translated as "the damage is done," referring to embracing life and its challenges despite uncertainties. In the latter part of the song, Gaël Faye mentions the power of deep bass and booming speakers. He calls for lighters to be lit, comparing the atmosphere to a masked ball celebration. Gaël Faye compares his life and work to being in the construction industry, building his own path and leaving people amazed and stunned with his heavy-hitting music. He criticizes others for copying flows and urges them to stop imitating. The song concludes with Gaël Faye expressing his enjoyment of simply lounging and rolling around in his own space. However, when he sees the crowd standing up, he admits he can't resist and dedicates himself to giving his all, raising his fist as a sign of determination and passion. Even amidst doubt, he embraces change, drifts, refuels with inspiration, and allows the groove to take over, exhilarating both himself and his listeners. Overall, "Boomer" is a vibrant and uplifting song that celebrates African music, encourages self-expression, and promotes living passionately in a changing world.
