PeopleAbidjan

Alpha Blondy (reggae singer)

Alpha Blondy

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Born in Dimbokro in the centre in 1953, one of Africa's best-known reggae singers, known for 'Brigadier Sabari' and 'Jerusalem'.

Reggae became a vehicle for political commentary in West Africa. His breakthrough song 'Brigadier Sabari' is about being beaten during a police street sweep in Abidjan, considered the first time a West African singer openly sang about police violence; he went on to criticise corruption and civil war in song.

CE QUE VOUS VERREZ · What you will see

Older taxi drivers listening to reggae with lyrics mixing French, English and Dioula, about peace, corruption and African unity.

POURQUOI · So what

He made Côte d'Ivoire 'Africa's reggae capital', and kept calling for peace through the crisis years.

SAVOIR-FAIRE · How to use it

Talking about him with locals over 40 is talking about their youth.

Asian and European parallelsLike Lo Ta-yu in Taiwan: a pop musician who is also a social commentator.

Where to experience itHis concerts; reggae bars in Abidjan.