La Bonne Critique talks about... FULGENCE GACKOU / MUSIC
Fulgence Gackou – When faith meets music.
La Bonne Critique had the pleasure of meeting Fulgence Gackou, a gospel singer , pianist and composer from Dakar, in Paris for his first concert this week. This young man (just 24) has generated fresh vibes among the African gospel genre, selling out shows of 2,000 people in Dakar.
Gackou began singing with the Dakar Evangelist choir at the age of 14. Having won a national talent competition, he quickly realized that his faith had met his passion, music. He wanted his music to bring to light a spiritual message.
He produces his music himself and it is then mastered by Casimir Diouf. He released his first album in 2013 'l'heure a sonné' and will release his second this August. He explained to us that gospel music in Dakar is not naturally the most listened to music, primarily because Senegal has a population of just 5 % of Catholics. However his music unites this small population, something which makes him extremely grateful.
His influences vary from South African gospel to Youssou N'dour (one of the most popular Senegalese artists ) to the old jazz greats. He encompasses all of these influences in his music. His songs are played every Sunday on the national Senegalese TV channel RTS.
Although he has his own orchestra in Dakar and is one of the youngest and most successful artists in his domain, Gackou admits he is 'still young and learning'. He has a shy character but one that becomes radiant during performance. However he feels an artist ' mustn't go on stage to prove something but purely to share and to give.' He considers his public to be his family.
He is concerned by the fact that there is not much exchange in the world of music between different African countries, the trend seems to be Nigerian and Ghanaian chart music. He would like to see more connections being made between different African artists. Here at La Bonne Critique we would like to contribute to this effort.
Gackou will play a concert in Paris later this year with his Orchestra in association with La Bonne Critique and the Paris Senegalese Choir, a chance for you to hear him live. His second album Djambaar will be released this August.
Stay tuned for more information about this young artist's next performance in Paris.
- Emma Josie.
LINKS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXt4b7Ul0X0
https://www.facebook.com/FulgenceGackou