Popular Music of Gabon

The history of the current Gabonese music did not begin until about the year 1974, when the blind guitarist and singer Pierre Akendengue released his first music. He was classically trained in Europe, and his compositions reflect the influence of the Western classical music.

source of picture: nathannothinsez.blogspot.com

Conservatoire by the 1970s, he was at the initiator of a wave of the famous Francophone African music stars, beginning with the release of Nandipo in the year 1974. Akendegue was supported by Pierre Barouh, an influential man in the French music industry, responsible for launching the careers of Brigitte Fontaine and Jacques Higelin, among others. Akendegue came to be seen as a spokesperson for the Gabonese tribe, and for the poor and dispossessed of all Africa. After spending twenty year in France, Akendegue came back to Gabon despite concerns over government restriction of his music. He wound up being appointed a government advisor.

The year 1980 saw the establishment of Africa No. 1, a radio station devoted to Africa music, and the opening of the first Gabonese recording studio, Studio Mademba. Artists from across Africa and even in the Caribbean travelled to Libreville to record.

Though Libreville was producing enough Pan-African hits in the 80s to rival cities such as Johannesburg and Abidjan for renowned music, the end of the year saw the music scene die out.