Menu

Special report


2008 RFI Découvertes Award for Mikea

Antananarivo celebrates a victory


Antananarivo (Madagascar) 

14/11/2008 - 

On 13 November Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo played host to the final of the 2008 RFI Découvertes (new talent) Award. And it was a Madagascan, Mikea, who was honoured by the jury, chaired this year by a former winner, Ivorian reggae artist Tiken Jah Fakoly. Alongside the two other finalists – Congolese songstress Sheryl Gambo and the Cameroon rapper VBH – Madagascar’s newest star gave a truly winning performance at the Palais des Sports.

print

send

react



Antananarivo’s Palais des Sports, where the three finalists performed, was decked out with a strange decor on the night of the 2008 RFI Découvertes Award final – parachute material had been hung to improve the acoustics of this arena, more generally used for sporting events. Chaired by the Ivorian reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly, in the midst of a global tour, the RFI Découvertes jury had a tough decision to make between three exciting performers:  the Congolese Sheryl Gambo, the Madagascan Mikea and the Cameroonian VBH.

Sheryl Gambo got the show going, performing with a team of veteran musicians. For twenty minutes she gave it her all, lending her exceptional singing voice to an energetic confection of African soul. This timid young singer, brought up singing gospel, delivered a unique mix of international variety and the music of her Congolese roots.

Next up was Cameroonian finalist VBH (standing for Vise Bien Haut, or aim high), who also showcased a diverse set of influences. Based in Douala, and aware of the problems of his country and continent, VBH expresses in his lyrics his determination as a young artist to promote just causes, such as the fight against AIDS and against corruption, and the struggle for peace. On stage, his performance and flow hit all the right notes.


Mikea – or Théo, his real name – offered up a seductive acoustic set. Accompanied by two musicians, this young representative of a people from the south of the island called “Mikea” (hence his stage name) recalled the golden age of songwriting, with his well-honed compositions, his ethereal voice and above all a hugely impressive stage presence, making him a natural winner.

And indeed following his superb performance at the Palais des Sports, Mikea was declared winner of the 2008 RFI Découvertes Awards. Tiken Jah Fakoly, accompanied by Claudy Siar (Couleurs Tropicales), and Françoise Hollman, RFI’s communications director, awarded the trophy to the young artist, proud to represent his people and his country. The explosions of joy and emotion that followed are a reminder that this award is regarded as a veritable milestone in the career of artists from Africa, the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean. Following on from his victory in Antananarivo, Mikea is performing on Saturday 15 November at the same arena, before moving on to conquer new audiences in France and the African continent.


 Listen to Niny  et Hey Joe by Mikea
 Listen to Baninga Basi by Shery Gambo
 Listen to an extract from Jeunes by V.B.H

Valérie  Passelègue

Translation : Hugo  Wilcken