Music of Togo - Definition and Overview

Togo's small population and culturally giant neighbors, as well as its hostile government, has not had much musical success outside of its borders, though it has produced stars like Bella Bellow and Jimi Hope.

Bellow is Togo's best-known musician. Her career began after representing her country in 1966 at the Dakar Arts Festival. She began a career singing love-oriented ballads in 1969, when she worked with Togolese-French producer Gérard Akueson and soon appeared on French national radio. In Bellow's wake came a wave of female singers, including Mabah, Fifi Rafiatou and Ita Jourias. Other musicians include the afore-mentioned Jimi Hope and internationally known performer King Mensah.

References

• Bensignor, François and Eric Audra. "Afro-Funksters". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 432-436. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0