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 r...
https://worldhitz4u.blogspot.com/2014/01/popular-music-of-gabon.html
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.
