Pamela Badjogo – Yieh (2024)
Pamela Badjogo‘s third album, Yieh, marks a pivotal moment in her career. After the warm reception of her first two albums, she solidified her musical identity and championed feminist and ecological ideals worldwide. Now, with this more intimate offering, Pamela reaffirms her dedication to the empowerment of African women and implores listeners to embrace resilience in the face of adversity.
Navigating between Bakaningui, her mother tongue, and French, Pamela delivers a message of unwavering strength and determination. With each track, she shares personal stories and invites audiences into her world, both through her soulful melodies and heartfelt spoken word segments.
Embracing the digital age, Pamela aims to expand her online presence through streaming platforms and social media, amplifying her message beyond traditional radio and TV channels. Accompanying the album are visually captivating music videos that pay homage to Gabonese culture while infusing contemporary flair, creating vibrant music and imagery that transports listeners from Libreville to Accra, Berlin to Paris.
In this third installment, Pamela’s creativity knows no bounds. Collaborating with renowned musicians like Kwame Yeboah and Aron Attignon, she intertwines captivating genres seamlessly, from Afrojazz, highlife and Afrobeat to Afropop hooks, funk and amapiano, crafting music that is both daring and distinctive. Her collaboration with Stromae on “Papaoutai” and the lyrical contributions of Seba Charmelle and Mariam Koné further enrich the album, adding depth and resonance to her storytelling.
Despite facing personal challenges in recent years, Pamela’s spirit remains undaunted, infusing each track with joy and vitality. Drawing from her Manding heritage and the rhythms of Gabon, she creates a hypnotic fusion of sounds that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.
Guests include Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo, a renowned artist from South Africa; Aurélie Raidron, also known as Asphodel, a vocal technique teacher specializing in spoken and sung vocals, particularly vocal saturations and drones; and the legendary Pat Thomas (Ghana).
Buy Yieh.
Author: Lisa Miller
