L'Afrique means "Africa." While seemingly a common word, its significance in this song is profound and central to the narrative.
Soolking sings, "F sari3 nokhrej min l'Afrique, Roma wala ntouma" (Quickly, I'll leave Africa, Rome or you). This line encapsulates the desperate hope and perilous journey of many young people seeking a better life, often risking everything to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The word 'L'Afrique' here represents not just a continent, but a homeland, a past, and a set of circumstances that the protagonist is determined to escape, making it a powerful and emotionally charged word in the context of the song's theme of migration and sacrifice.
Soolking's "Ya Lbahri" is a powerful story about the dangerous journey many people take across the Mediterranean Sea to find a better life in Europe. The song is a direct conversation with the sea itself, which he calls "Lbahri". He begs it for safe passage, singing, "W ya lbahri Lah yahdik" (Oh sea, may God guide you), because his only hope for a future is in leaving his home. He sees no other choice, saying "Nrisqui l'mout bach n3ich" (I risk death to live).
He describes the heartbreaking decision to leave everything behind for a "aller sans retour" (one-way trip), including the person he loves. The lyrics are full of desperation and the feeling of being trapped, with lines like "Rani me9hor, rani me7gor" (I am oppressed, I am despised). He knows the risk is huge, admitting that to "Mourir en mer, c'est du suicide" (To die at sea is suicide), but feels he has no mercy at home. The song is a sad look at the reality faced by thousands who feel forced to make this life-threatening choice.
Soolking, born Abderraouf Deradji on December 10, 1989, in Staoueli near Algiers, Algeria, is one of the biggest stars to come out of the Algerian and French rap scenes. He grew up around music, his father was a percussionist, and he performed with a rock band as a teenager before moving to France in 2008.
He returned to Algeria and joined the rap group Africa Jungle under the name MC Sool, then went solo in 2016 and adopted the stage name Soolking, signing with Sofiane's label Affranchis Music. After early hits like "Milano" and "Guérilla," he broke through internationally with "Dalida," and released his debut album, Fruit du Démon, in November 2018, which went Gold in France.
Soolking's sound blends Algerian raï with rap, R&B, reggae, and pop, and his lyrics often move between French and Algerian Arabic in the same song, as they do here, reflecting his own journey between Algeria and France.