Thanks to Brent from Newmarket, Ont. – long-time listener, first-time caller – for reminding us of the great reggae singer Alpha Blondy. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, he’s been called the Bob Marley of Africa, having even played with the Wailers in the ‘80s.

Born Seydou Koné, Blondy grew up as part of the Jula tribe in Dimbokro, but eventually moved to New York to study, where he discovered the Jamaican artists who would set his musical path, leading the now 68-year-old to an acclaimed 40-year international career that includes earning a Grammy award in 2003 for best reggae album.

Both spiritual and political (he was named UN Ambassador of Peace for the Ivory Coast in 2005), Blondy is a proponent of world peace, religious tolerance, and unity.

To that end, he sings in multiple languages, including his native Dyula tongue, and has been known to sing to Muslim audiences in Hebrew and Israeli audiences in Arabic.

For a glimpse of Blondy’s eclectic charms, check out his reggae version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” (a favourite of Brent’s) often performed with added horns and Celtic pipes.

But in the meantime, here is one of his most popular songs, “Sebe Allah,” performed with his band The Solar System at a festival in the Netherlands in 2018.