Alpha Blondy

Ivorian reggae singer Alpha BlondyBlondy in 2007Background informationBornSeydou Koné (1953-01-01) January 1, 1953 (age 73)Dimbokro, N'Zi Region, Ivory CoastGenresReggaeOccupationsSinger, songwriterYears active1981–2023LabelsEMI France, VP Records, Wagram Music, Shanachie RecordsMusical artist Seydou Koné (French pronunciation: [sedu kɔne]; born January 1, 1953, in Dimbokro), better known by his stage name Alpha Blondy, is an Ivorian reggae singer and international recording artist. Many of his songs are politically and socially motivated, and are mainly sung in his native language Dyula, French and English, though he occasionally uses other languages, for example, Arabic, Hebrew, or Jamaican Patois. Early years Childhood The first son of a family of eight children, Seydou Koné was raised by his grandmother in an environment described by him as "among elders", which was to have a big impact on his career. In 1962, Alpha Blondy joined his father in Odienné, where he spent ten years, attended Sainte Elisabeth High School, and was involved in the Ivory Coast students movement. He formed a band in high school, but this affected his schooling and he was expelled for poor attendan