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A genuine standard-bearer for Africa’s youth for whom he upholds the thirst for freedom and change, this hero of modern reggae is also the spokesperson for a whole continent. The titles of his albums over the years are evidence of his social conscience, and struggle has forever permeated the lines of his music: words as weapons, albums as firebrands. Born in Ivory Coast, he discovered music at a very young age. Tiken Jah Fakoly established himself in his native country before embarking on an international career that has enabled him to work with some of the world’s greatest artists (Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Zebda, Steel Pulse, Bernard Lavilliers, Akon, etc.). Over ten albums, he has put together a wild and untamed back catalogue, a subtle blend of arrogance and music peppered with powerful statements about international politics. Having received death threats and been forced to live in exile for speaking up, Tiken Jah Fakoly is an authentic committed artist, both on stage and out in the field, combining struggle and hope with battling and partying, all within the luxurious showcase of his international reggae. Seen as a beacon of immense hope for future generations, the Fakoly caravan is using music to make way for a better world. 

 

COMMITMENT OF THE ARTIST

 

If Tiken Jah Fakoly is committed on many fronts such as the fight against corruption, alterglobalism, the fight against excision, he also militates for agriculture and against the rural exodus on the African continent.

 

He participates in a mission with Action Against Hunger in Burkina Faso, or works with many associations such as ONE, Amnesty International, SOS Racism …

 

Since 2004, the artist has been particularly involved in his own project entitled “A concert, A school” which has enabled him to build 6 schools in different countries in West Africa. The idea is simple: to organize concerts with institutional partners (city, department, region…) allowing the provision of a performance hall, to involve all the actors – in particular the musicians and technicians who perform on a voluntary basis -, to activate the local associative networks, and to use the proceeds to build a school.

TIKEN JAH FAKOLY
Ivory Coast
Festival international Nuits d'Afrique - 36e