Ernesto Djedje – Roi Du Ziglibithy (Analog Africa, 2022)
Roi Du Ziglibithy (king of Ziglibithy) presents the innovative and captivating music of an Ivorian artist who developed a new genre in the mid-1970s.
After spending a few years in Paris, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ernesto Djedje formed a band in Ivory Coast called Ziglibithiens. Band memebrs included Diabo Steck on drums, Bamba Yang on keyboards and guitar, Léon Sina on guitar and Assalé Best on saxophone. The idea was to combine the rhythms and chants of the Bété people with Makossa, funk and disco with the goal of creating a musical style that was both Ivorian and international.
Ernesto Djedje called his musical project Ziglibithy and his first two albums, recorded at the EMI studios in 1977 in Lagos, released on the Badmos label, became highly popular in West Africa, turning Ernesto Djédjé into a star and one of the legends of African music.
Ernesto Djédjé died in mysterious circumstances on June 9, 1983, at the age of 35.
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.