Valérie Ékoumè - La Danse de l'Éléphant

Series: Aux mardis du monde

Franco-Cameroonian singer Valérie Ekoumè has chosen to express herself through popular African music, particularly from Cameroon. The aim of her new show, entitled LA DANSE DES L'ÉLÉPHANT, is to showcase these traditional cultures, notably through the Nkul, an ancestral instrument from Central Africa. The result is a series of often engaging tracks, underpinned by intoxicating traditional rhythms.

BIO : In just a few years, Valérie ÉKOUMÈ has established herself as a rising figure on the international Afropop scene, and entering the world of this Franco-Cameroonian singer is an experience you won't regret! In her colorful world, love is king, and Afropop is the musical style she has chosen to express it.

For her three studio albums DJAALÉ (2015) and KWIN NA KINGUE (Top 10 RFI World/Africa albums 2017), MONÈ (2022) and the live album (2021), the singer collaborated with renowned drummer/percussionist Guy NWOGANG, who provided the rhythmic touch and production.

Critically acclaimed, they have enabled the artist to perform on world-renowned stages and festivals such as the Festival Les Nuits d'Afrique as a headliner, during his 16-date Canadian tour in 2024, the famous Afrika Festival in Wurzburg, Africa Oyé in Liverpool, Visa For Music (opening night) and the Festival d'été du Québec, to name but a few. But not only for concerts, but also for workshops. Indeed, sharing cultures is one of the things she appreciates most. "For these projects, our aim was to highlight our cultures and traditions, particularly through the NKUL, an ancestral instrument from Central Africa. The result is a series of engaging tracks, underpinned by rhythms such as Assiko, Manganbeu, Makossa and Essèwè, traditional and popular music from Cameroon.

Born into a family of musicians, she developed a passion for music from an early age, particularly singing. As a child, she listened to Congolese Rumba, American pop and Cameroonian music. Never ceasing to improve, she decided in 2005 to join the American School Of Modern Music, a Paris-based school specializing in training musicians. She remained there for 5 years. Her life took a decisive turn when, in 2004, she joined the Maraboutik Big Band and Manu DIBANGO's SMG, an illustrious artist with whom she worked for 8 years. With numerous collaborations to her credit, including James BKS, Flavia COELHO and Délia FISCHER, Valérie is part of this new multicultural generation that draws its influences from the four corners of the globe.

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