Pamela Badjogo, an Afro-Jazz luminary from Gabon, has a gifted, captivating, soulful vocal style. Born on the 3rd of December 1982 in Libreville, Gabon, her first musical experiences were at her church choir.
Her path took a transformative turn when she ventured to Bamako, Mali, in 2005, armed with a scholarship aimed at combating malaria. Amidst the bustling streets of Bamako, Badjogo found her voice participating in studio recordings and collaborating with French producer, Manjul. The spotlight found her in 2007, as she emerged as a finalist in the inaugural season of the musical reality show, Case Sanga on Africable, triumphing over formidable talents like Cheick Siriman Cissoko.
In 2015, fueled by the unwavering support of her admirers, Badjogo embarked on a journey of artistic self-discovery, financing her inaugural solo album, Mes Couleurs, through crowdfunding. Her career reached new heights in 2017 when she appeared at the closing ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations with her soul-stirring performance.
Badjogo’s life led her to Lyons, France, in 2017, where she embarked on a collaborative musical partnership with artists from Perigord, igniting a creative fusion. Her passion for advocacy found its melodic expression in her pivotal role as an original member of Les Amazones d’Afrique, a musical collective dedicated to amplifying the voices of women against the backdrop of societal injustices.
Her talent garnered international acclaim, earning her the Music Prize in 2022 and a coveted nomination at the Grammy Awards in 2021 for her second album, Kaba.
Notably, Badjogo’s music contains an engaging mix of Afrojazz, Afropop, Afrobeat, amapiano and other musical genres.
Beyond the stage, Badjogo advocates for empowerment, lending her voice to causes close to her heart. Whether captivating audiences on global stages or leading initiatives against gender-based violence, her unwavering commitment to championing women’s rights resonates far and wide.
Discography
Mes Coleurs (2015)
Kaba (2020)
Yieh (2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.