BIOGRAPHY

It is impossible to resist this Cameroonian singer, her music works like a charm to kick-start your day! Valérie Okoumé sings and lives for the most divine sentiment of all: love. And, within her in her perfect and colourful world, she serves it up fresh, sprinkled with Afropop. On her first two solo albums, DJAALÉ (2015) and KWIN NA KINGUE (RFI Top 10 World/Africa albums 2017), the singer collaborated with renowned percussionist Guy NWOGANG, who provided the rhythmic touch and production for both albums. Acclaimed by the critics, they have enabled the AfroPop artist to perform on world-famous stages and festivals such as the Gaspé Festival (during her 2022 Canadian tour), the famous Afrika Festival in Wurzburg and Africa Oyé in Liverpool.

Valérie carries within her Congolese rumba and American pop music, like that of Michael Jackson or Witney Houston, which her music-loving family loved to listen to. That’s why she incorporates the littlest details of these musical trends, just as she used to as a little girl, when she would mimic the stars’ voices and movements. She wanted to have America and have it she did, by spending five years at the American School of Modern Music in Paris, where she built a strong foundation in the vocal arts. This academic springboard led her straight to the most famous, such as Manu Dibango, her benefactor, with whom she learned the meaning of the word “performance.” More than a few festivals grabbed the chance to dazzle the crowds with this valiant artist, the Cannes and Brussel’s Couleur Café Festivals, to name but two. Propelled by her many collaborations (Manu DIBANGO, Flavia COELHO, James BKS, Alisha BRILLA, Délia FISCHER), Valérie is part of this new generation that draws its influences from the four corners of the world. Valérie dazzles with her radiant beauty. Fiery woman, Faya woman! Don’t let yourself stray from her path…