On December 14, 2004, Reunion Island lost one of its best ambassadors with Granmoun Lélé. On the occasion of the twenty years of his death, 150 artists paid tribute to this emblematic figure of maloya, in the room which bears his name in Saint-Benoît.
In the conservatory room that bears his name in Saint-Benoît, Granmoun Lélé once again thrilled the crowds on Saturday December 14, during the tribute paid to him for the 20th anniversary of his death.
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©Imaz Press Reunion
From the paradise of the Maloyèrs, the Benedictine artist was surely able to note with satisfaction that the succession was assured, starting with his own children, several of whom were already playing in his group. His daughter Marie-Claude, or his son Tinom, for example, having taken up the torch and convened this commemorative celebration.
Watch the report from Réunion la 1ère:
Old man Lélé: we won’t lose money for a zarbutan maloya
Many groups and artists, 150 singers, dancers and musicians, took the stage: the essentials, like Simangavole, Lindigo, Gilbert Pounia or Danyel Waro, and other Reunion artists like the Ker Fanm choir or the Maloya Kids.
“The Granmoun group before was called the Lélé troupe” raconte Tinom. “When his band started, it was in 1977, the year I was born. I think it runs through my veins and I can’t stop” explains this worthy heir, who takes the opportunity to share some anecdotes about his father, and the primordial role of the shadow played by his mother.
Listen to Tinom Lélé on Réunion la 1ère:
A leading artist in Reunion music with his group Ziskakan, Gilbert Pounia also remembers being amazed by the incredible musicality of Granmoun, capable of throwing a maloya with any object that came to hand.
Listen to Gilbert Pounia on Réunion La 1ère:
Producer of four Granmoun Lélé albums, Christian Mousset was also present. He remembers how Granmoun Lélé helped to make maloya known to the four corners of the planet.
“I’ve never seen a bad Granmoun concert. He was setting fires everywhere!”,
Christian Mousset, producer of Granmoun Lélé
“He went everywhere. Throughout Europe first, in Brazil, Japan, Canada, the United States, he toured Africa and India! Each time it was a hit, he threw the bullet. Each time, I have never seen a bad Granmoun concert. He was setting fires everywhere!”
And twenty years later, its flame still burns…
