"Yé ké yé ké" is a song by Guinean recording artist Mory Kanté. It was released in 1987 as a single from his third studio album, Akwaba Beach. The song became an international hit; it was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European number one in 1988, making it the first ever African single to sell over one million copies. The song was a top five hit in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, where it topped the chart for two weeks. A remix, the "Afro Acid Mix" was especially made for UK release, where it reached No. 25. In 1994, German techno duo Hardfloor remixed the song and released this new version with moderate success. A Bollywood song, "Tamma Tamma Loge", also used the music in this song. Background and lyrics The lyrics are in Mandinka. Kanté adapted it from a traditional song called "Yekeke." "All good things have many owners," said Kanté in a 1997 interview. He added that "the song comes from a wonderful tradition we have in the villages. You know, when young girls are approaching the age of marriage, they flirt with each other through music. They court and ensnare each other through their songs and dances. These are sweet songs, I swear. 'Yekeke' is one of them. It's the sound that young women make when they dance ... It's their way of communicating their interest." Critical reception A review in Music & Media stated that it was easy to understand why it was a hit, as it is "a festive and very rhythmic chant, with stirring vocals wrapped in an unbridled, energetic production". Impact and legacy English DJ, producer and broadcaster Dave Pearce included "Yé ké yé ké" in his all-time top 10 in 1997, saying, "A classic that always evokes a strong reaction—a real feel-good track that works well as a transformation track when following on from someone else's set. I play it all the time." Track listings 7-inch single "Yé ké yé ké" – 3:58 "Akwaba Beach" – 5:11 12-inch maxi "Yé ké yé ké" (remix) – 6:17 "Akwaba Beach" – 5:11 "Yé ké yé ké" – 3:58 12-inch maxi – US "Yé ké yé ké" (French remix) – 6:17 "Yé ké yé ké" (Afro acid mix) – 5:25 "Yé ké yé ké" (Mory's house version) – 5:25 "Yé ké yé ké" (French edit) – 3:38 "Akwaba