Okone Ya Nem – Hilarion Nguema, 1986

🎤🇬🇦🎶💉💔 After several singles released since the mid-70s, it wasn’t until 1986 that Hilarion Nguema, one of Gabon’s most renowned artists, brought out his first album. With his easily recognizable rumba, Hilarion, who often sings in French, gets his message across with catchy slogans. With Okone Ya Nem, Nguema takes to the microphone to warn against AIDS and its spread in Africa: “It’s the disease of the century, disease of love, disease of sex / disease of blood”. On the other side, a commissioned track with Gabon Pays de Joie, whose theme contrasts sharply with the previous message! And the groove is there, unsurprisingly given the fine team at work here, with many well-known names: André Manga, Jean-Claude Naimro, Ambroise Voundi, Moustick Ambassa or even Fred Hovsepian, and even, well hidden, Luther François! And in this copy – with its rather excessive cut corner – released by Haissam Records and distributed by Safari Ambiance, there’s a little bonus, with the press release. You’ll notice how elegantly the graphic designer has made up for Nguéma’s missing U. Hats off to him!