LES FRERES DE LA RUE

Reggae / World / Other

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About

Galaïfa and Biguess, two brothers from Tiémélékro, Ivory Coast, play an African reggae with mandingo sounds mixed with a rhythm originally played with large drums called goumbé. Coming from the south-western part of Africa, this rhythm was diffused by merchants, travellers... and especially in Ivory Coast thanks to the magnetic singer Djé Coumba, a strong defender of women's rights.

Les Frères de la Rue thus created their own style: Reggae Goumbé. They refer to Nahawa Doumbia's traditional Malian Yagba singing style. They praise ancestral Africa and its traditions: African women, old men's wisdom, griots' knowledge, religious and mystical beliefs, respect of life and nature. They sing the tears of the African ground, of the children, of those who survive and fight to make imported modernity more generous.

They look at human misery and hope with a universal glance full of faith. Raised on the street, they draw the energy and the commitment of their texts from there.

Beginning of the 80s they are found at the big brothers listening to foreign music: Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh... things then became clearer. Galaïfa has only one thought in mind: to bring reggae and goumbé together!

In 1983, they take the train to Abidjan, the capital-city, hub of music in West Africa. The big brother incited them to practice an artisanal craft there, such as dressmaker and to take French and Arabic classes... still, their passion for music quickly diverted them from this path...

Alpha Blondy will give them confidence in their goals. Reggae can take new dimensions...

In 1987, they meet Ismaël Isaac and the Keita brothers who will be good advisers. Fousseini Keita died in 1989. Galaïfa performed then with Ismaël Isaac as dancer and chorus-singer until end of 1992.

Galaïfa and Biguess founded their band Les Frères Black de la Rue in year 1991. In 1995, they became acquainted with Sidibé Demba who will produce their first album entitled Fanta Sidibé released by Pathé Marconi. That same year the Fespaco Festival, the Panafrican Market of Arts in Burkina Faso will give an impulse to their career. They will then be on tour in West Africa until 1997.

The Brothers arrived in France in 1998, still focused on their objective: to present their innovative style, reggae goumbé!
They change their name to Les Frères de la Rue.

In 2003, they released their Avant tout y'a la vie EP and composed the soundtrack of Paraboles, a short movie produced by Rémi Besançon (Canal +).

They produced their second album Ton Attitude in 2005, mixing mandingues, goumbé, reggae and ragga sonorities. Wisdom, respect of women and children, of traditions, good education, religion, politic trends... are many topics referred to in this album.