Music
Some songs have a rhythm that transcends language, and Magic System’s massive hit “Premier Gaou” is undeniably one of them. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, the group crafted a track that not only dominated African airwaves but became a global dancefloor staple. The somg is sang mostly in French but don’t worry the video contains English subtitles and I’ve put the English lyrics beneath this post.
Before we dive in I just want to say that what Antou did wasn’t a good thing at all. However, we wouldn’t have received this banger song.
One of the most recognizable Song Intros
The intro melody 🎶 for Premier Gaou is easily recognizable the moment ot starts playing. It’s played on the guitar, by the time the first bar is done the audience should recognize the song.
The Story Behind the Beat
While the infectious Zouglou beat makes it impossible to sit still, the story told in the lyrics is a classic tale of heartbreak, betrayal, and success. The song narrates the experience of a man who was abandoned by his girlfriend when he had nothing. However, after he finds fame and fortune through his music, she suddenly returns, hoping to rekindle their romance and enjoy his new lifestyle.
The central message is captured perfectly in the chorus. The phrase “Premier Gaou n’est pas Gaou, c’est deuxième Gaou qui est Niata” essentially means that being fooled once makes you naive, but letting yourself be fooled a second time makes you a true fool. It is a sharp, witty narrative disguised as an incredibly upbeat party anthem.
A Cultural Phenomenon
Magic System brought the Zouglou music genre, which originated in Abidjan, to the international stage with this song. The rhythmic storytelling and vibrant energy resonated with millions, proving that you don’t need to speak the language to feel the music. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its brilliant production and the universal themes of its lyrics.
Whether you are listening to it for the storytelling or simply to enjoy the incredible rhythm, “Premier Gaou” remains a vibrant, nostalgic masterpiece that continues to get people moving worldwide.
It’s when I was down that the girl Antou left me When I had little Morning, noon, evening We were together At the “Rue Princesse” At the “Mille Marquis” Together at the “Santos” But once the money was gone Antou changed sides No more money And she changed boyfriends You are crazy, you are crazy
Thank god for I knew how to sing a little I did my demo tape, people saw me on TV Morning, noon, evening, it was me singing on radio Antou saw that and said the fool made it Wait, let me go and take his money
It is said that the first fool is not a fool It’s the second fool who is the real fool (Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me)
Sunday morning, Knock - knock, someone’s knocking at my door To my great surprise it’s the girl Antou I see Jokingly I say it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other She tries to lie to me saying: “Darling I had travelled, but I am back now, I belong to you, take me as a gift and do what you want with me”
I say sweet darling what do you want to eat Without hesitation she says barbecued chicken I say sweet darling, its chicken you want to eat But a chicken is too small and won’t satisfy you I will give you barbecued Cayman instead Elephant “Kedjenou” of elephant is what you are going to eat
She is upset and says she is going home But if she goes home, horniness is going to kill me So I ask for her forgiveness and she accepts Then at one point, she messes it all up She stops asking for chicken and now wants fried plantain If its fried plantain, that’s not complicated Its a banana plantation that you are going to fry Instead of a fork that can’t fill you up Its with a rake that you are going to eat
Kader is a fool, Blé is a fool Soro Guillaume is a fool, Sabine is a fool Angelo is a fool, Hotorino is a fool Blé is a fool, Dieu is a fool Kader is a fool, Kader is my fool Blé is a fool, Michel is a fool Emile is a fool, Honoré is a fool
I tell you to dance Look out for yourself And dance
Lyrics by Ziki African Music Project
Magic System's "Premier Gaou" With English Lyrics: Global Dance Anthem
June 20, 2026
This video by Kwabena Kwabena - ASO REMIX Stonebwoy x Kofi Kinaata (Visualizer) was published on December 6, 2026. It already has 1.3 Million Views and counting on YouTube.
Language disclaimer: This commentary is a mix of English and Twi
Kwabena Kwabena featuring dancehall/Afrobeats superstar Stonebwoy, and highlife/hiplife rap star Kofi Kinaata.
Here is the context and breakdown of the video in markdown format, based on its metadata and animated visualizer:
1. The Song & The Artists
- The Track: The video is the official animated visualizer for “Aso Remix.” * The Original Classic: “Aso” is originally a legendary, classic Ghanaian highlife song by Kwabena Kwabena, known for its deep themes of infidelity, betrayal, and intense heartbreak.
- The Feature Heavyweights: This modern 2025 remix brings together three heavyweights of Ghanaian music: the original highlife legend Kwabena Kwabena, dancehall/Afrobeats superstar Stonebwoy, and highlife/hiplife rap star Kofi Kinaata.
2. The Animated Storyline (The Visual Context)
The animation (credited to creator/director Berimah Boateng and “Sobolo Made It”) perfectly visualizes the painful narrative of the song through a dramatic, cartoon storyline:
- The Betrayal: The visualizer begins with a devastating discovery. The main character (animated Kwabena Kwabena) comes home with a bouquet of flowers to surprise his wife, only to catch her in bed with another man.
- The Fallout: We see the immediate destruction of the relationship. He drops the flowers, shatters their framed wedding photo on the floor, and spirals into a deep depression—depicted by scenes of him drinking alone, crying in the rain, and sitting isolated in a dark room.
- The “Trial of Heartbreak”: The video features a literal courtroom setting where the cheating partner is put on trial for her betrayal. Kwabena Kwabena is seen passionately testifying about his broken heart to the judge.
- The Hospitalization: The heartbreak is so severe that it becomes physical. In one scene, Kwabena Kwabena is lying in a hospital bed while an animated Kofi Kinaata (acting as a doctor) listens to his chest with a stethoscope, diagnosing a literally shattered heart.
3. The Roles of the Featured Artists
- Stonebwoy: Stonebwoy’s animated avatar is seen in a neon-lit recording studio. He acts as the harsh voice of reality, shown on a video call aggressively rejecting the crying ex-girlfriend (who is left stranded at a bus stop with her luggage). He represents cutting off the toxic ex.
- Kofi Kinaata: Kinaata appears as the “doctor” diagnosing the heartbreak and later is seen chilling by a tree, delivering his signature Fante rap verses to comfort the protagonist.
- The Climax Concert: The video concludes with a vibrant, neon-lit rooftop performance where Kwabena Kwabena (on guitar), Stonebwoy (on drums), and Kofi Kinaata (on keyboard) all jam together, turning the painful heartbreak into a massive collaborative hit.
The nicest parts are the part where Stonebwoy says ‘Niɛ ɛshi me kraa ni sɛ we got matching tattoos’ and also the parts where Kofi Kinaata says “You’ve fallen in love, but sometimes stand in love kakraa”
Lyrics:
Ɔnyɔnko a mene wo bɔkosua tafre Wone bɛɛbi da Na wosan nni kaprɛ Nti papa a meyɛ wo yi nyina ara m’aseda ni? Aso medɔfo pa na w’ayɛ me sei I got it so wrong Na me dwen sɛ woyɛ ɔbaa sima Even if, ebe that bad Ɛnyɛ wo ne me nyɔkopa M’asua me lesson Mintumi newo ntena Megye me kawa , megye me safoa Megye me car Gyae me life ma me aa Mintumi newo ntena Megye me kawa , megye me safoa Megye me car Gyae me life ma me oo oo Pen pen wosi no pen pen Afei mati nkensen Aso yɛto nkwanta a y’apae Yɛto nkwanta a y’apae ooo Pen pen wosi no pen pen Afei mati nkensen Aso yɛto nkwanta a y’apae Aso ayɛ me adze o dzo dzo dzo dzo
W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze Aso endi nokware ooo W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze
I gave my heart to you You thought I loose the screw Deɛ ɛshi me koraa ne sɛ We got matching tatoos Na red flag no a Mehunu yɛ miyi m’ani no Watiw m’akoma, it’s too late Even though I did my duty Even when you never need it Could’ve been somebody not my best friend Mentumi ntena naa naa Wonti me kɔ psycha Wokuruwa no ayɛ ma Aso yɛto nkwanta a y’apae Penpen wosi no penpen Gyen gyen ɔdɔ ebu me gyen Aso yɛto nkwanta a y’apae Yɛto nkwanta a y’apae oo ebei Penpen wosi no penpen Gyen gyen ɔdɔ ebu me gyen Aso yɛto nkwanta a y’apa Aso ayɛ me adze oooooo
W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze Aso endi nokware ooo W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze
One man down Call me Kofi Kinata Abadze mpo. Na you for fall in love but Sometimes stand in love kakra Na awo nshwɛ babiara Ehuru pɛ na ekɔ tɔ ɔdɔ mu tsɔn Sɛ ahu dɛ ɔka kitikit na aka erebɔ dam Sacrifice na dededede Nenyina ara agye gɔn Ode nenyinara kɔ Ma ana ekɛgye wo car key M’aware afa no world cup no Gbee bi nfee party Ma yɔnko bɛka biara Meka dze kyerɛ wo entei Ma enyim a yɛ Aso Sɛ ahu ayɛ wo downfall Ma yɔnko bɛka biara Meka dze kyerɛ wo entei oo Aso Aso ɔdze Raggae adan wo Dancehall Mapepre meho agye maniso oo Opanin ni hwi koraa no ɔwɔ abakyer Yɛ kaa yɛ oo na mantie ee Aso ayɛ m’adze oo Wayɛ Saa ama minsa esi fɔm Yɛ kaa yɛ oo Yɛ kaa yɛ ooo Aso ayɛ m’adze oo Wayɛ Saa ama minsa esi fɔm Yɛse bɛɛma nsu ooo So so Aso ayɛme adze Wayɛ saa ama mati nisuo Attaa nyonmɔ eee ( Nyunmɔ eee) Moko abahele mie mingbo ee Minbgo hee Aso ayɛ m’adze ooo
W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze Aso enni nokware ooo W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adze W’ayɛ me adz
Source lyrics attribution: Lyrics updated from NotJustOk.
ASO REMIX - Kwabena Kwabena Ft Stonebwoy X Kofi Kinaata- Official Animated Visualizer For
May 24, 2026