In the tradition of Bob Marley, Alpha Blondy, and his African griot caste, legend Tiken Jah Fakoly emerged in the late ’90s as Africa’s premier social critic through reggae. Born Doumbia Moussa Fakoly (into a family of musicians and oral historians known as griots, a role honoured throughout Africa) Fakoly took an earnest interest in reggae as a boy 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 name “Djelys,” another word for the griots and minstrels. Taking on the mantel of a history keeper, Fakoly wrote lyrics that documented events of his times and the oppression of his people. He was quickly known regionally, and soon his music and reputation stretched across the nation and even beyond its borders. Fakoly racked up an impressive 100,000 records sold to French audiences, making him Africa’s best-selling reggae artist. His 2007 album The African won him a place in the Top 20 on World Music Charts Europe, a position he held for months.
The veteran Ivorian reggae artist has been described as a charismatic “tornado on stage” who blend s traditional African instruments like the kora and balafon with modern reggae, often promoting African unity and social justice to packed, enthusiastic crowds worldwide.