Magic System is an Ivorian zouglou and coupé-décalé music group, formed in 1996 in Abidjan , Ivory Coast. When it was created, the group was composed of friends, the best known of whom today are A'Salfo , Goude, Tino and Manadja. The sounds drawn from zouglou ignited the African scene for more than a decade. Their songs are also used to denounce unhappiness and all forms of abuse in Ivorian society. They developed a reputation for high-energy live shows. However, dissensions arise within the group, which breaks up and gives birth to the group as it is known today with the four "magicians".
29-444: The music group is famous for its performance of festive theme songs, their biggest hits are the singles " Premier Gaou " (2002), "Un gaou à Oran" (2004), "Bouger Bouger" (2005), "C cho ça brûle" (2006) , "Zouglou Dance" (2007), " Même pas fatigué !!! " (2009), "Ambiance à l'africaine" (2011), "Chérie coco" (2011) and " Magic in the Air " (2014). In 2024, their song, "Akwaba" was chosen as
58-683: A channel for African Jazz talent to have a home in the U.S., with a dedicated and passionate team led by a legend in his own right – Don Was, is very exciting. We can now walk the African Jazz journey, from Cape to Cairo to California". On 5 November 2018, Universal Music Group announced a multi-year distribution deal with Boomplay , an African music digital download and streaming service, in ten Africa countries. On 17 March 2021, Universal Music Group signed an expanded licensing deal to enable Boomplay Music to stream Universal Music Africa's music catalog. On 2 December 2020, ONOMO Hotels Group, signed
87-598: A flagship of U-Live, and a division of UMG . U-Live Africa is an event promoter, producer, and investor in live entertainment in Africa. On 5 October 2018, Major Lazer "Soundsystem Live tour Africa tour" in Nigeria, was produced by U-Live Africa, at Hard Rock Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos. In 2018, Adekunle Gold ’s three-night residency at Terra Kulture, from 13 to 15th December. On 17 July 2020, Fally Ipupa partnered with U-Live Africa. According to Fally Ipupa "this announcement
116-484: A guitarist. In the late 1990s, he co-founded the group Magic System with three other musicians. The band gained widespread recognition with the release of their hit song Premier Gaou, which marked a turning point in their career. The group originates from Abidjan , Ivory Coast, and has more than 50 members, called "magicians". The current members are part of the original group: A'Salfo (Salif Traoré), Goude, Tino (Étienne Boué Bi) and Manadja (Adama Fany). The current group
145-408: A major indie hit there as well. The lyrics tell the story of an aspiring musician whose girlfriend leaves him because of his poverty. After he becomes rich and she sees him on TV, she tries to win him back. He turns her down, saying her leaving him does not really matter; only if he took her back he would become a "fool once more". The lyrics feature a colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang. This
174-411: A multi-year, exclusive partnership with UMA. According to Franck Kacou, "His incomparable voice is a strong symbol of the direction we have taken over the past couple of years with UMA, establishing the company as a true home for African artists and music, and a bridge to audiences around the world through our network of labels". According to UMG , "The partnership will begin with the surprise release of
203-531: A strategic partnership with Universal Music Africa, in conjunction with ONOMO Africa's Finest Live, an initiative to promote and support African arts, African music, and African cuisine. Right after the government announced that entertainment, events, exhibitions and cultural shows will resume in line with COVID-19 preventive measures, on 10 December 2020, Onomo hotel launched a new restaurant and lounge called "iJURU", with live music curated by Universal Music Africa. On 13 July 2021, Booba " Tallac Records ", signed
232-515: A strategic partnership with Universal Music Africa. According to Universal Music Africa, the exclusive deal will see Booba 's entire catalog, spanning 10 albums and almost two decades, available for the first time across the continent and will also include future releases. The deal also marks the launch of 92i Africa, a new division of Booba "92 I brand", in partnership with Universal Music Africa (UMA) and Universal Music France (UMF). On 12 October 2021, Youssou N'Dour "TBI Publishing S.A.", signed
261-531: Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London in Africa. On 17 June 2019, Charlotte Dipanda , Mink's, Magasco, Pit Baccardi, and Mimie, joins Universal Music Group Africa artist roaster. On 30 August 2019, Yemi Alade , released her fourth studio album Woman of Steel , through Universal Music Africa, and Effyzzie Music Group. On September 9, 2019, she signed a licensing deal with Universal Music Africa, in partnership with Universal Music France . On 13 January 2020, Universal Music Group , promotes Franck-Alcide Kacou , as
290-523: Is accompanied by an African tour from November 2020 to January 2021. A dozen dates are planned between Ivory Coast , Cameroon , Gabon , and Liberia at the top of the list". On 6 April 2022, Blue Note Records , and Universal Music Group Africa, established Blue Note Africa (marketed as Blue Note Records Africa), to sign Jazz artists from across the African continent. According to UMA, CEO, Sipho Dlamini, "The opportunity to create Blue Note Africa and provide
319-526: Is also made up of four other people who draw inspiration from the zouglou movement, an Ivorian cultural expression combining music and dance used by young people to address problems and ills in society. Divisions arose within the group from its beginnings, due to its large size and the presence of two main singers: Camso and A'Salfo. Camso and two other members decided to create the group "Les marabouts", which enjoyed considerable success in West Africa and within
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#1733085841798348-579: Is based on autobiographical experiences of lead singer Salif "A'Salfo" Traoré. When he was an aspiring, poor artist, his girlfriend left him, but when he became a celebrity with Magic System, she tried to win him back, but Traoré turned her down. The song was first released in 1999 in their native Abidjan and was at first a hit in Ivory Coast and other African countries. When it was remixed in 2002 and released in France for Mélina Forthin, Magic System's song became
377-527: Is especially evident in the refrain of "Et on dit premier gaou n'est pas gaou oh / C'est deuxième gaou qui est niata oh (ah)" ("They say that the first fool is not a fool / It is the second fool who is a fool"), which expresses that his first folly (her leaving him) is not really a folly at all, only accepting her back would be. There are two "1er Gaou" videoclips. The first one shows Magic System in their native Abidjan , with Traoré being left by his girlfriend at first before she comes back. This main plot line
406-580: Is interspersed by many scenes of daily life in Abidjan. In the second version, Magic System are in an expensive nightclub, again with Traoré left and then pursued by his girlfriend. This second version has a more posh look-and-feel than the first version. The single topped at number four on the French charts and remained in the top 100 for 28 weeks, ten of them in the top ten and sold as many as 300,000 copies in France. "It
435-442: The album of the same name . The title literally means "First Fool" in urban Abidjan slang called Nouchi . The song contains an autobiographical account of lead singer Salif " A'Salfo " Traoré about his ex-girlfriend who tried to hook up with him again when he became famous. Originally recorded in 1999, it became smash indie hit in France three years later. The song meant the breakthrough of little-known Magic System. "1er Gaou"
464-467: The African community in Europe. Starting in 1996, the four magicians performed at local parties and events throughout the Ivory Coast. It was not until 1997 that their first album Papitou was released with the single "Momo", which was a commercial failure. They nevertheless persisted and recorded their second album, Premier Gaou , which was released two years later in Ivory Coast. Despite its local success,
493-425: The aim of releasing a new album Envolée zougloutique on 21 June 2021. *Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts. Featured in *Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts. 1er Gaou " 1er Gaou " is a song by Ivorian Zouglou artists Magic System , taken from
522-451: The album. Faced with the refusal of the major record companies to distribute the album, Ephrem Youkpo decided to entrust the distribution of Premier Gaou to Sonima upon its release in January 2000. Also in 2000 the group was then invited to open for Bisso Na Bisso , a group of Congolese rappers led by Passi . In 2001, the third album, Poisson d'avril , had mixed success. The following year,
551-533: The anthem for the soccer tournament La Coupe Afrique des Nations and also won Manie Musicale. Salif Traoré, better known by his stage name A'salfo, is an Ivorian artist, songwriter, and a important member of the Ivorian band Magic System. He is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and the founder of the Anoumanbo Music Festival. A'salfo developed a passion for music early in life, inspired by his older brother,
580-443: The general manager of Universal Music Group Africa. On 16 May 2020, UMA, host The Africa at Home, virtual concert, with guess performances from Yemi Alade , Magic System , Serge Beynaud , Vegedream , Kiff No Beat, Fally Ipupa , Singuila , Hiro, Toofan , Locko, Didier Awadi , Salif Keita , Angélique Kidjo , and Patience Dabany . On 4 January 2021, UMG appoints its key Executive in Africa. Sipho Dlamini, and Elouise Kelly
609-407: The group encountered difficulties obtaining distribution in France, as no label initially showed interest in producing the title. The album is entirely financed by Ephrem Youkpo, journalist/radio and TV host (initiator of La Nuit du zouglou in 1998 in France and since then boss of the x-pol music label). Convinced of the potential of the project presented by Tony Adams, Youkpo took charge of financing
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#1733085841798638-543: The group, drowned in Jacqueville (Ivory Coast) while trying to rescue a person. On 16 June 2017, Magic System released a new album entitled Ya Foye . In 2018, the song " Magic in the Air " became the anthem of the France national team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup , performed in the stadium with each goal of the Blues. At the end of 2020, the group left Parlophone and Warner to sign with the new label Universal Music Africa , with
667-565: The managing director, and Olivier Nusse , the CEO of Universal Music France, was appointed as the veteran executive, artist manager, and live promoter. Following the launch, Universal Music Africa (marketed as Universal Music Group Africa), kicked off with Kiff No Beat, DJ Arafat , Toofan, Locko, and Ténor, as its first recording artist. On 11 April 2018, Mr Eazi Banku Music, signed a licensing deal with Universal Music Group Africa, in conjunction with Universal Music South Africa , to distribute Life
696-491: The opus Africainement Vôtre was released, containing the hit " Magic in the Air ", produced by RedOne in collaboration with Chawki , whose clip has several hundred million views. On 13 June 2014, the group Bana C4 performed a cover of the song "Premier Gaou", with Magic System which appears in the clip. Singer K-Reen contributes backing vocals to the song. The album Radio Afrika was released on 29 June 2015. On 1 May 2016, Didier Bonaventure Deigna, drummer and backing vocalist of
725-435: The remix of " Premier Gaou " by Bob Sinclar relaunched the title dating from 1999 and introduced the group to the French public. Under this impetus, Magic System successively released three other albums: Un Gaou à Paris (2003), Petit Pompier (2005) and Cessa kié la vérité (2005). On 2 April 2012, the group released its first best-of album, D'Abidjan à Paris , with the new unreleased single "Tango Tango". On 19 May 2014,
754-536: The top 100 for nine weeks. Universal Music Africa Universal Music Africa ( UMA ) is a multilingual music corporation of the global record label Universal Music Group , covering 25 French, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking countries, in Africa, with its corporate headquarters located in Abidjan , Côte d'Ivoire . Universal Music Africa is known for housing Motown Gospel Africa, Blue Note Records Africa, and Def Jam Recordings Africa . Universal Music Africa
783-561: Was founded on 11 July 2018, as the largest African division of Universal Music Group , operating in Cote d'Ivoire , Cameroon , Nigeria , Senegal , Benin , Burkina Faso , Burundi , Cabo Verde , Central African Republic , Chad , Comoros , Congo , Djibouti , Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , Guinea , Guinea-Bissau , Madagascar , Mali , Niger , Sao Tome and Principe , Senegal , Ghana , Seychelles , Togo , and South Africa . In 2018, Universal Music Group , appoints Moussa Soumbounou , as
812-825: Was named CEO and COO of Sub-Saharan Africa, and Universal Music South Africa , while Sipho Dlamini continues to report to Adam Granite, UMG's EVP, Market Development, to identify further opportunities for artists signed to Universal Music Africa, and continues to oversee all of UMG's operations within English-speaking Africa countries. Chinedu Okeke was named managing director of Universal Music Group Nigeria . On 7 June 2022, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services launched its flagship in Africa, through UMA as Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Africa (also known as Virgin Music Africa). In 2018, UMA launched U-Live Africa,
841-484: Was the number which opened the way for us. Even if we have hit after hit, I don't think there's a hit which can replace Premier Gaou because Premier Gaou came with a novice magic," A'Salfo said later. The single was also a top ten hit in Belgium ( Wallonia ), peaked at number ten in it ninth week, and appeared in the top 40 for 15 weeks. In Switzerland , the single had a moderate success, peaking at number 30 and staying in
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