Assoh Babylas is a song writer, a music composer, a singer, and above all a militant man. He is a representative of the African continent, and leads his fight through his compositions. He sings his desire for union and fraternity between nations and defends his values with great passion. His African Roots reggae denounces the abuses of African and European leaders. This protest music has always been an expression of the people, of their pain and suffering.
Assoh Babylas started singing when he was very young in a band called the HAPPINESS in Lomé, Togo. He then moved to Côte d'Ivoire, where he spent several years in Abidjan, meeting many people who greatly enriched his life : Ismaël Isaac, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Alpha Blondy. As a globetrotter, Assoh Babylas played in Nederland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France, where he decided to settle in Saint-Etienne in 2002, forming his group 'Kinikinis Wéwés'.
2006 saw the release of his 11-track album, LA MORT DES JUSTES (THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS), a homogeneous set of songs with a resolutely Roots-based music. Its uncompromising lyrics deal with powerful subjects, including the song 'Africa', dedicated to the condition of women, wherever they may be in the world. The lyrics condemn the excesses of European and African leaders and insist on the necessity for the African countries to unite.
Since the connection between bands in Saint-Etienne is a tradition, the song “BLACK AND WHITE” features DUB INCORPORATION. Thanks to this album we realize the full extent of the purity, the limpidity, and the fluidity of Assoh Babylas’ incomparable and inimitable voice which allows the strongest emotions to get straight to the bottom of our souls.
Released in May 2013, Assoh Babylas’ second album TAXIMAN is made of 15 colorful tracks featuring famous musicians such as TIKEN JAH FAKOLY’s brass section and backing vocals, KUBIX, members of DUB INC, DATUNE or even JAH GAÏA. The album also features ISMAËL ISAAC on “BROTHER’S SONG” and the American ANDREW DIAMMOND on “KINGS OF ABOMEY.” “TAXIMAN” raises questions about Africa’s critical situation where only the decision-makers are lining their pockets as it is exposed in the song “LE CERCLE DE FEU.” In the song “LUNUMBA”, Assoh Babylas tackles the issue of the assassination of one of the symbols of the fight for independence in Belgian Congo. In "IVOIRITÉ" and "ELLES", he demonstrates real empathy for the Ivorian people and for the African women who are unscrupulously promised the European Eldorado.
Assoh Babylas also widens his field of vision by questioning himself about hostage-takings around the world in “OTAGES” and the Arab Spring in “RENDEZ-VOUS.” TAXIMAN is a journey full of touching, colorful rhythms and melodies which will not fail to move you.
Even if his songs are not revolutionary, they remain extremely powerful. Assoh Babylas’ repertoire is so rich that it will continue to touch us deeply, to amaze us and most importantly to awaken our consciences.
Assoh Babylas’s tracks
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