Patience Dabany

Patience Dabany was born as Marie-Joséphine Kama on January 22, 1941, in Brazzaville, Congo. Growing up in the Congolese capital, Dabany was exposed to the traditional music and songs of her Gabonese parents. In 1958, she married Albert-Bernard Bongo, who became the President of Gabon and in 1967, she formed a musical group to support of his political activities called Akébé II, which later changed its name to Kounabéli Mbil'asaku in 1975. After her divorce in 1987, Dabany began her solo career, travelling to the United States, which she was influenced by Congolese rumba and batéké music. Her first album, Associé II, was released in 1987, marking her debut as a solo artist and earning her considerable recognition. Gradually establishing herself on the world music scene, Debany performed on several global stages including the Olympia in Paris, in 2001, releasing her second album Obomiyia, three years later which was produced in collaboration with Edgar Yonkeu, Quincy Jones, and Jacob Desvarieux. Through emblematic tracks like "Ewawa" and "C'est Pour La Vie" from the album No Comment (2013), as well as hits "On Vous Connaît" from La Locomotive and “L'Amour D'une Mère” from La Locomotive 2 (2013), Patience Dabany solidified her status as a legend in Gabonese music, showcasing her talent at prestigious concerts, including the Grande Nuit Africaine at the Stade de France in 2011, the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Libreville in 2012, and a performance at the Zénith in Paris in the same year. Dabany’s enduring influence has made her an icon of Gabonese music, creating a lasting impact on the industry and inspiring future generations.

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