Benin Awake

Moustapha Tata, stage name, originated from Djovgov town of Donga North of Benin started his profession as a Dancer, in 2000 he became a writer and singer, at the year 2001 he got an award from a company in Benin called Yasalam, so he adapted that name YASALAM as his artist name, he moved to Abidjan to continue his music career, his 3 years in Ivory Coast, he came out with an album called Yasalam, from there he jumped into reggae music 2006. Yasalam has performed along side with Meiway, Soum Bill and Didier Bile on the same stage in Abidjan.

Jolidon was born in the northern part of Benin, the territory of Bariba, in powerful guerilla fighters using sticks, at the age six Jolidon started practising sticks dance which called (Teke). At the age of ten, he started playing guitar, and then at the age of twelve he met the owner of an orchestra called Parakou, Mr. Mama Franco. At the age of seventeen Jolidon became the best guitarist in the village of Bariba trib. Mr. Jolidon released his first album in 2005 called ‘’Don Maru’’ which gave him the opportunity to become a TV presenter in Cotonou ORTB hosting a program called ‘’club des fans’’, the same year he was nominated for best African artist in the category of modern traditional music in the ‘’KORA’’ awards, and he won that award in South Africa. Jolidon became an established songwriter when he was chosen by the Francophone Union to compose an anthem song.

Originally from the northern Region of Benin Fallysa real name Elhady Issa Falliratou, Born to a Dendi and a Fulani family, after graduating, Fallysa started a full-time music carrier, recognizing Her first Album titled, Dunya in 2007 The Album won her an award for Best Female Artists at the Black Music Awards in Benin, with her new Album title “f” me” Fallysa has performed on a stage alongside with Angelique Kidjo, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Alfa Blondy…..currently base in Accra – Ghana, working with the musician union of Ghana.

This group functioned since 1997, following the need to accompany dynamics by promotion for cultural diversity in Republic of Benin. They started with REP. This made it possible to take a lead in the national plan with more majority of the Beninese population like fan. They are the pole of an attraction that the majority of the authorities and promoter use to sensitize the populations compared to precise sets of themes. Name AFAFA is in fact the expression in our culture of the word even tail which makes it possible to alleviate body heats. Their mission is to bring, through their songs, peace in the earths. For this reason they were called: Ambassadors of peace. The group Afafa has release two albums, which sold more than 500.000 units each one album, with much in concerts filled the tank because they have a very good popularity.

Oumar Zouberatou started interpreting songs at the age of 15. In 1996 released her first Album of 7 titles ,and 2 years later IRIBAKUBE started wining trophies. In 1998 she won a Golden Award for Best female modernTraditional music hosted in Benin. 7 years later, her new Album SOUDA (follow me) won again in the Mali Golden Award for best Artist from Benin.She released a new album in 2011 which included14 titles (SEVL).

The group was formed in 2007 when they went to participate (FESPAM) Congo Brazzaville. She’s the leader of the group, started her career through school. Nila faces all lot of frustrations in the music industry in Benin in-terms of injustice, she has become the most patience in the music industry which took her to places till today. Nila signed a label called Tchibozo, and produce an album with the label called KOSSILATE (gannaho). In 2002 Nila work an artist called Gnonas Pedro, Nil Oliver, Sagbohan Danialon, Stan Tohon, Chantal Aissi, Djan Lakan, Didier Bille, and the named album has twelve tracks. Nila and the group later came out with their first album in 2006 called (Lumiere Sous Lombre). The album won the group two awards for Best videoa and Album of the year.

Kinsou Sadya announces her presence in 2003 in Benin and Cote’ d’ivoir. Her real name is Odette Kinsou, and with her nice and good music she convinces her adoptive land (Abidjan). Kinsou is a hit in francophone Countries, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal Burkina Faso, Cameroon, etc she is a hero in Benin, people compare her to Angelique Kidjo, Kinsou performed unstop on the stage with her beautiful voice. In 2003 she sang alongside Koffi Olomide, she collaborated with Freddy Assogba, Baby Philip and the guitarist of Ivory Coast called Anderson. In 2004 she became the best Benin artist in Togo. Due to her energetic performance, the president of Senegal Abdullai Wade invited her to perform for Youth and HIV Day. After four years Kinsou came out with her new album.

Comlan Arcadius Avaligbe born on the 21st September 1967 in Porto Novo Benin, has been all over Africa and Europe singing jazz music, blue pop, world music.He sings in various landguages, John Arcadius released his first album in 1999 called ‘’REFLECTION’’ the named album win him an award in the year 2000 in Belgium, John has a colaboration with other artist namely… Lokua Kanza, Hery Dikongue in 2001, 2006 in Romania he has another colaboration with Manu Dibango. John Arcadius has won many awards during his stay in Europe (Belgium) also represented A frica in the world music compétition in Greece.

Don Metok has the passion to be a musician at the age ten, he always have the dreams to represent Benin as a musician. At the age of twenty he became a writer, composer, author, singer and an artist. Don Metok has made it to his dreams when he was approach by Guru Records for a label deal at the age twenty two. Don Metok is specialize in a native music for Benin called “Zogodo” the song that cut the chain of poverty. One of the songs that is all over in Benin from Don Metok is “Yonnou” a songs that touches women’s heart.

Born in Benin (West Africa) on January 04 1987, and named Ramounatou SAMBIENI, Ramou has always had a mad passion for music in general and singing especially. She actually started singing at the age of 15 years and was voted as a great Benin woman voice by her first public performance in front of a hug crowd during a concert for a music festival. For his parents, especially her mother, there was no question of a career in music or even playing shows at the risk of the studies. Ramou nevertheless used to escape to sing alongside great artists and musicians of his country without the knowledge of his parents. She always knew that one day she would realize her dream when she was found among the winners of a world competition of music for the Olympics in Beijing. Divas like Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa), Bella Bello and others artists like Lokua Kanza, Youssou N’Dour, have greatly influenced and continue to influence.