Just like a lot of popular African reggae artists were inspired and influenced by great Jamaican reggae artists like Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Burning Spear, Alpha Blondy was much influenced by the Late Robert Nester Marley (Bob). Born as Seydou Kone in 1953 at Dimbokoro in the Ivory Coast, Alpha Blondy's musical career started as a teenager.
His parents wanted him to be a teacher but Alpha's interest lay in music. He studied English at Hunter College in New York but his love for Rasta took him to a different dimension and that was music. In the early 80s Alpha Blondy recorded his first single "Brigadier Sabari", followed by his first album Jah Glory, which amazingly gave him recognition all over Africa and Europe.
To firmly establish his musical career internationally Alpha visited Jamaica and, at Tuff Gong studios, recorded the album Jerusalem with The Wailers (The late Bob Marley's band).
His music went far globally, for the fact that apart from his native language Jula, Alpha sings in English, French, Arabic and Hebrew. Alpha Blondy played the French version of "War", a speech delivered by the late Emperor Haile Sellassie, in California, 28 February 1968, which was originally composed as a song by Bob Marley.
As a strong believer in Jah, Alpha believes that all human beings, whether black or white are the same. The fact is that racism and discrimination are causing too much unrest and bloodshed in the world. To him abortion is a crime, since all human beings have the right to live under the sun. He asks "Why do babies have to pay for sins they haven't committed?"
Alpha Blondy has a vision. That is to spread his music worldwide and, like other reggae artists, he has achieved that.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
Joel, you ROCK!!! Alpha is one of those guys I did the business thing with (1988, first USA tour). Ended up being a rough one for me (don't get into a fight with a car while on tour!) and sure freaked out the band.
Checked in with him last year as he was in Seattle and I happened to be doing the promotion/production thing. I-rie vibrations.
Your choice of artists is supreme!!!! You pick the CRUCIAL music.
peaceloveguidance
2 - dax
Spent months in bed with a badly broke leg.
Nothing worked on my wooden bed stance
Alpha uplifts, simply.
Thats after having been around the block in terms of musical generes.
Love the ochestral, big-stage feel of afreggae.
3 - joel savage
Hello DAX, thanks for your comments. I recently collected all the songs of my favourite pop groups to write something about them. I like such comments like yours, it encourges one to learn something new. THANKS
4 - Valerie
when is the next time Alpha blondy is coming to the USA? And how can i find CURRENT info on him and his band in general, his www.alphablondy.com does not seem to be current :(
AlphaBlondyFan
5 - joel savage
Hello Valerie, please for the current information on Alpha Blondy and his "Solar System Band", contact the general manager of "Reggae Train" Mr Kone Dodo. email: promo@alphablondy.com
Wishing you all the best.
The Writer.
6 - philipe
hi, i am a webmaster of the webpage dedicated to Alpha blondy, i invite you to meet the web and send to you my banner and put it on yours links
send me your banner to!!
pd: sorry for my poor english!!
hola soy el webmaster de http://alphablondy.100free.com me gustaria invitarlos a ke conozcan una pagina dedicada a Alpha blondy el astro del reggae mundial. tambien les envio mi banner para ke lo pongan en sus links asi como me gustaria ke uds. me manden el suyo para ke yo lo pueda poner en mis links!!
gracias y estamos en contacto
7 - joel savage
Hello Philipe, thank you very much for the introduction. The Belgians love reggae and Alpha Blondy is one of their favourites. He played on 1st July 2005 at Coleurs Cafe festival in Belgium. Unfortunately I was then in Africa, so I missed his show and an interview. I believe that one day I may get the chance to interview him. It is nice to be the webmaster for this great artist. Let's remain in contact.
From the writer: Joel Savage
8 - Margaret
I think Alpha has a new site www.alphablondy.info. Sadly it's all in French. He is currently on tour in the Americas and saw him for the first time in Long Beach, CA on 8/11/05. He will perfom in Malibu on 8/20/05 - he's great!!!
9 - joel Savage
Hello Margaret, thanks for the nice comment and information on the new site of Alpha Blondy. He is indeed a great artist. From the writer.
10 - Philipe
hi margaret, is realy the new site it's just in french but have a lot of information, my site is not official for this motive i have not information of the actuality of Alpha. but my site, i think, have more information in of Alpha Blody's history, Ivory Coast, the lenguage diula and my have 4 lenguages!!
thanks for all ( http://alphablondy.100free.com )
11 - kalivati todua
Fijians are the biggest fan of Alpaha..is he going to perform there one day?
12 - claudio nunes dias
alpha,para min e o melhor do reggae mundial,vivo na america,(usa)e preciso de mais,reggae,abracos e mais sucesso.BRASIL
13 - bema
alpha don't do that we're all with but follow the mouvement of your gropu
14 - doumbia
alpha is the best reggae music singer in the world.when i listen to his music i fill ok.but i do not like seydou koné cause he behave very badly,he is not an exanple.....he should behave like alpha blondy.