Jah Glory ! – Alpha Blondy and the Natty Rebels, 1982

🇨🇮 🎤 ✈️ 🎸 📀 Alpha Blondy grew up in Côte d’Ivoire before going into exile first in Liberia and then in the United States. He began singing, but success did not come easily, and in the early 1980s, Blondy returned to Côte d’Ivoire. Noticed by George Benson during a television appearance, Benson offered to produce the singer’s debut album, Jah Glory !, released by Syllart Records and Moya Production in 1982. The album was an immediate success, particularly for the track Brigadier Sabari, which denounced police violence and brought him international recognition. Another hit from the album, Bintou Wéré Wéré, opened side B, and afro-reggae was launched on an excellent path. Incidentally, the backing vocals feature singer Jeannette Ndiaye, who made a name for herself last year with the song Makom Ma Bobe. Blondy’s career had only just begun, and many albums—often militant—and numerous successes followed, with more still to come. His latest album to date is Rise, released this year.