Benin has played an important role in the African music scene, producing one of the biggest stars to come out of the continent inAngélique Kidjo. Post-independence, the country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined withGhanaianhighlife,Frenchcabaret,Americanrock,funk andsoul, andCongoleserumba. It also has a rich variety of ethnomusicological traditions.
Thenational anthem ofBenin, adopted uponindependence in 1960, is "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The New Dawn) byGilbert Jean Dagnon. TheGangbe brass band is an internationally prominent Beninese ensemble.
The majority ofBenin’s 9.32 million people live in the south. The population includes about 42 ethnic groups overall. These include coastal populations ofYoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is nowNigeria in the 12th century, theFon in the south central area aroundAbomey,Mina,Xueda andAja who came from what is nowTogo.
Northern peoples include theDendi in the north-central area, who came from what is nowMali in the 16th century, theBariba andFula people in the northeast and theBetammaribe andSomba in theAtacora Range.[citation needed]
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In 1972, theKérékou government came to power and institutedcurfews and other measures that inhibited musical expression. Kérékou encouraged indigenousfolk music. Some musicians, likeTohon Stan, adapted folk styles for mainstream audiences at home and abroad, includingtchinkoumé, afuneral music played usingwater percussion which was adapted intotchink-system music.[1]Sagbohan Danialou, a multi-instrumentalist fromPorto Novo, is another very influential musician who transformed traditionalVodou religious rhythms such as kakagbo into popular music.[2]
Ignacio Blazio Osho was perhaps the most influential musician of the post-independence period, alongsidePedro Gnonnas y sus Panchos,Les Volcans andPicoby Band d'Abomey. Pedro produced the song Feso Jaiye,[3] which became a hit and was performed by many bands at the2nd All-Africa Games in 1973.
Nel Oliver debuted in France in 1976, borrowing elements from all over Africa and the United States to create "Afro-akpala-funk".
The “Tout Puissant” Orchestre Poly-Rythmo are still a household name inCotonou and one of Africa's most prolific groups with over 50 LPs, hundreds of 45s and CD re-issues of their work. They have toured both Europe and the United States; according to a concert review in theNew York Times, the band "belongs on the very short list of the world's greatest funk bands."[4]
Beninese guitaristLionel Loueke is one of the most important young musicians in jazz, infusing African influences. Loueke currently lives in New York and is a member ofHerbie Hancock's band.
Wilfrid Houwanou is a Beninese singer-songwriter who goes by the stage name “ROBBI” (formerly Robbi Slo).
Zeynab Ouloukèmi Habib, born inAbidjan in 1975, has given concerts around Africa and won aKora Award for Best Female West African Artist in 2005. She released her first albumIntori in 2001, a second albumD'un endroit à l'autre in 2004, and a third albumOlukèmi in 2011.[5]
Gangbé Brass Band, fromCotonou continued the trajectory of transforming traditionalVodou music, combining it with jazz and brass band traditions.[6] Gangbe has released four albums: Gangbe (1998), Togbe (2001), Whendo (2004) and Assiko (2008), and tours extensively in Europe and North America.
The last few decades of the 20th century saw numerous other developments, including the rise ofreggae brought fromJamaica byYaya Yaovi.
In Beninesehip hop andR'n'B, popular artists include Swaggeraux and Swaggereuse Republic, Zeynab, King Jerry Bee a.k.a. Kerekou De Showbiz, Yvan, Nila, Secteur Trema,Dibi Dobo, Pépé Oleka, Kuamy Mensah, Afafa,Diamant Noir, Cotonou City Crew, Ardiess, H2O, Dhalai-k, Kaysee Montejàno, LKS-Clan, Kaizah, Esprit Neg, Nasty Nesta,Mister Blaaz, Self Made Men, B-Syd, DAC, K-libr Volkaniq, Méthod X, Enod, Duce, Roccah, Jay Killah, Polo Orisha, Mutant, Adinon, Jupiter, 3K6, Kemtaan, 3 Game, CTN Heroes, Cyano-Gêne, ADN, 3e Monarchie, WP Baba Djèdjè, Orpair, Big C, Young J, Marshall Cyano, Wilf Enighma, Sam, Radama Z, Shinnin, E-ray, Cruiz AG, Sam Seed, Inox, BMG Yari, Fool' Faya, Mamba Noir, Beezy Baby, Eric le blanc, Assane Sas, Vision, All Baxx, Moona, Sakpata Boy, Trust Infinity Crew, Riacemau.
Benin is also home tozouk musicians such as Richard Flash, Martin Hode, andMiss Espoir.
Freres Olowumbe is a traditional gospel music.
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