Artist: Tiken Jah Fakoly
Genre(s):
Folk
Reggae
Rap: Hip-Hop
Discography:
Francafrique
Year: 2006
Tracks: 12
Cours d'Histoire
Year: 2006
Tracks: 12
Coup De Gueule
Year: 2004
Tracks: 12
Le Cameleon
Year: 2000
Tracks: 12
L' Africain
Year: 2000
Tracks: 20
Mangercratie
Year: 1999
Tracks: 8
In the tradition of Bob Marley, Alpha Blondy, and his African griot caste, Tiken Jah Fakoly emerged in the late '90s as Africa's premier social critic through reggae. Born Doumbia Moussa Fakoly (June 23, 1968) into a family unit of musicians and oral historians known as griots, a role esteemed throughout Africa, Fakoly took an solemn interest in reggae as a male child growing up in the town of Odienné on the northern slope of the Ivory Coast. He formed his first group in 1987, giving them the identify "Djelys," another word for the griots and minstrels. Taking on the mantlepiece of a history custodian, Fakoly wrote lyrics that documented events of his times and the oppression of his people. He was promptly known regionally, and shortly his medicine and report stretched across the nation and regular beyond its borders. His strain relation the decease of Félix Houphouët-Boigny elevated him to popularity among African youth. Soon expatriates introduced his music to African listeners abroad, particularly French audiences. In 1998 Fakoly performed in Paris, his commencement external venture. His former discography, including Les Djelys (1993), Missiri (1994), Mandercratie (1996), Cours d'Histoire (1999), and Le Chaméléon (2000) were earlier produced only for African distribution. Later recordings such as Françafrique (2002) and Coup de Gueule (2004), which were recorded at the far-famed Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica, became best-sellers in France. Fakoly racked up an impressive one C,000 records sold to French audiences, making him Africa's best-selling reggae creative person. His 2007 record album The African won him a plaza in the Top 20 on World Music Charts Europe, a spatial relation he held for months.
