Ismael Isaac - Reggae from Ivory Coast - Kongoi Media Productions. Artists and musicians online promotion

Home

Ismael Isaac - Reggae from Ivory Coast

Ismael Isaac

Issiaka Diakite, also known as Ismael Isaac grew up in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in the poor part of town called Treichtown. Musically speaking, he was strongly influenced by another boy, Seydou Kone, better known as reggae artist Alpha Blondy, who sang in the local Dioula tongue. Young Issiaka became a member of the Les Freres Keita singing group and made three successful Ivorian cassettes with them.

In 1990, he made his first solo recording album, "Rahman", for the renowned Senegalese producer Ibrahima Sylla under the artistic name of Ismael Isaac. A hit throughout West Africa, "Rahman" brought Isaac to the attention of Polygram France, which put him in the studio with producer Godwin Logie to record 1993's "Taxi Jump". In 1997, "Treich Feeling" was released by Dominique Misslin’s French label, later he recorded “Black system” and one “Best Of” album.

"Black System" reunites the artist with some important collaborators, bandleader Georges Kouakou, who supported Isaac in his early days with Radio Télévision Ivorienne; arranger Wurie Moctar, who was the instrumental in teh success of "Rahman", and producer Ibrahima Sylla. Singing in Mandinka, Malenké, Bambara, Dioula, and French, Isaac has written songs that address the citizens of today's teeming African cities, reminding the that traditional values such as community, hospitality and human dignity need not be sacrificed to modernity. His new music reflects his convictions, it is both contemporary and rooted.

Ismael Isaac sings in six languages : Mandinka, Bambara, Malenke, Dioula, English and French. With his pure and ingenuous voice, Ismael tells us the lessons he has drawn from life. He writes songs that address the citizens of today's teeming African cities, reminding them that traditional values such as community, hospitality and human dignity need not be sacrificed to modernity.

Comments (0) Add Comment