In the past decade, Gabonese music has emerged as a prominent musical scene in Central Africa, despite the prevailing influence of Congolese and Cameroonian musical styles.
Despite its relatively small population, the Republic of Gabon boasts a rich cultural and ethnic diversity. Pierre Akéndéngué, born in 1943, is acknowledged as one of the pioneers of Gabonese music since the debut of his first album ‘Nkere’ in 1973. Renowned for his politically charged artistry, his hit ‘Libérée la liberté’ (‘Freedom set free’) serves as a testament. The song, released as a single in 2016, confronts the signs of dictatorship within his country.
Accompanying Akéndéngué are notable figures in Gabonese music, including individual talents such as Pierre Claver Zeng, Mackjoss, Aziz’Inanga, Martin Rompavet, and Hilarion Nguéma.
Additionally, groups like Akwéza, Massako, and Diablotins contribute to this vibrant musical landscape.
These trailblazers have established the groundwork upon which a new wave of artists seeks to shape their craft, exploring diverse musical genres.
Inspired by a blend of traditional Gabonese music and contemporary influences from other African nations and around the globe, the generation of Gabonese musicians spanning from the 1990s to the 2010s is creating an innovative musical identity.
The impact of imported musical beats
Whether it’s the legacy of the late artist Olivier N’goma, who introduced afro-zouk – a fusion of zouk from the Caribbean, soukous, and rumba from the Democratic Republic of Congo – or the influence of rap, emerging Gabonese musicians are drawing inspiration from diverse musical genres originating beyond their borders.
Among N’goma’s renowned tracks, ‘Betty’ stands out prominently.
Traditional music, today
Nevertheless, the Gabonese musical heritage hasn’t been forsaken. Vickoss Ekondo stands out as an artist dedicated to upholding the country’s traditional musical essence and is widely recognized as a cornerstone within this genre:
On August 14, 2023, at the age of 72, Ekondo passed away. Former president Bongo announced his death through his X account [previously known as Twitter], honoring Ekondo and portraying him as a symbol of Gabonese music.
Continuing the path paved by Ekondo, other artists like Pape Nziengui, Laurianne Ekondo, and Nicole Amogho draw inspiration from traditional styles. Additionally, Zang Gabon’s track ‘Mouyanga ba mambangue’ showcases one of Gabon’s traditional dances:
Full speed towards globalization
Embracing globalization, the post-2010 generation of Gabonese artists aims to modernize their music production, drawing substantial influence from emerging African trends, particularly from Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Among the lineup of contemporary artists are Creol, Shan’l, Jeune Vili, General Itachi, Emma’a, L’oiseau rare 8G, Don’zer, and Eboloko.
As musical art becomes more globalized, these young artists find increased opportunities to export their sound internationally. For instance, in 2019, Shan’l was honored as the best female artist in Central Africa at the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima):
Despite minimal discourse about Gabonese music across social media platforms, the upcoming collaboration between Emma’a and Shan’l has managed to capture attention.
In today’s global cultural landscape, many African nations gain visibility through their music, and now, Gabon takes pride in its young artists and musical ambassadors.
