The song "Taxiphone" by Gaël Faye reflects on the artist's life experiences and his identity as a person caught between two cultures and countries. The title "Taxiphone" refers to a type of payphone commonly used by immigrants to call their families back home. The lyrics describe the struggles and hardships faced by immigrants living in suburban areas, characterized by gray houses, graffiti-covered walls, and rainy skies. The song begins with Gaël Faye reminiscing about his early days as a rapper, where he would use aggressive and confrontational rhymes. He reflects on the challenges he faced as an African immigrant, facing discrimination and being seen as underdeveloped. As a result, he worked hard to prove himself and shut down the critics. Gaël Faye recalls his school days where he felt like an outsider and an isolated minor. He describes an environment where toughness and talk about robbery and violence were prevalent. Coming from a place where bombs exploded and tanks rolled, he acknowledges that France may be a place of peace and security, but it also brings coldness and solitude. While his father portrayed France as an "Eldorado" or a paradise, Gaël stayed there not just to pursue a career in music, but also to plunder education opportunities. As time passes, Gaël Faye realizes how his life is shaped by his environment and how he feels trapped in the concrete jungle, always searching for money to survive in the harsh winter. He expresses his frustrations, nightmares, and disgust with life, explaining how even without a pen, he feels like committing suicide. He seeks solace in writing, singing, and playing music, which he describes as a blues that has been with him since his school days. Gaël Faye then reflects on the innocence of young people who are unaware of the possibilities of life's uncertainty and the potential for things to collapse, just like in a novel by Chinua Achebe. He contrasts their innocence with his own experiences of witnessing the end of the world, massacres, and gasoline-fueled violence. In the later parts of the song, Gaël Faye talks about his desire to return to his home country but acknowledges the financial challenges and the ongoing conflicts there. He acknowledges the lack of guidance and stability as an immigrant, feeling lost in his Nike Cortez shoes. Nonetheless, he embraces a warrior mentality instilled by his mother, urging him to keep moving forward despite being tied to his past. Overall, "Taxiphone" is a powerful and introspective song that delves into Gaël Faye's personal journey as an immigrant, the challenges he faced, and his desire for a sense of belonging and cultural identity.
