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Born on December 17, 1948 in Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin, Finagnon Gbènoukpo Noël Ahounou was immersed in music from an early age. He started out at the age of 12 in an orchestra, Ry-Da Jazz de la Capitale, founded by his brother. Singer and guitarist, he learned collective composition and took his first steps on stage. The Beninese opted for the pseudonym Nel Oliver and arrived in France in 1967, where he joined a number of new bands and chose to launch a solo career. His first single, The Trip / Let My Music Take You, was released in 1976, showcasing his funk, afro-beat and soul influences. With his first tracks proving successful in Africa, the singer went on to found his own recording studio in 1980, Spade Music, rapidly becoming a protagonist in the promotion of African artists in Paris. While figures such as Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba and Jean-Claude Naimro were appearing in the studio, Nel Oliver was also recording numerous tracks, including his eponymous debut album, Nel Oliver (1980), released by CBS and featuring the hit "I Have a Good Job". With a chart entry in France, Nel Oliver gradually made a name for himself on the international Afro-funk scene. After producing a number of artists, including albums by Docteur Nico, Johnny Bokelo and Mayaula Mayoni for Africa New Sound, the Beninese returned home to Cotonou in 1987 to set up a new version of his studio, renamed Nel Oliver Productions. He took part in the development of music in Benin, adding distribution tools under the name Africa Distribution. Gradually, Oliver abandoned his own compositions, with a final, fourth album in 1988(Wadjo), to devote himself to local creation, including Sagbohan Danialou, Madou, Anna Teko and Prince Adé-Oyé. Named Ambassador for Cultural Affairs of URTNA (Union des Radios et des Télévisions d'Afrique) in 1993, then Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Bénin in 1995, Nel Oliver became a major representative of Beninese music. In 1997, his return to song with "Upheaval" brought him a new title, the Black Entertainment Award, dedicated to his commitment to peace, and saw him appear on French television alongside Carlos. Regularly crowned throughout his long career, his omnipresence makes him a key figure, hailed for his regularity by the Trophée de la Paix in 2010 on the occasion of his 45th anniversary. Renowned for his work as a producer for the Grand Concours de la Chanson Francophone d'Afrique and the Telethon, he also pays tribute to Benin's cultural heritage with "Hommage à Gnonnas Pedro", highlighting the musician's contribution to agbadja and mono music.
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