Edou

From the Drueulu Tribe, located in Lifou (Loyalties Islands), Edou is a well known artist in his native New Caledonia as well as around the entire South Pacific. One of the headliners at the first South Pacific World Music Festival attended by Calabash in Fiji, Edou rocked the house each night. His band is also first rate, featuring New Caledonia's minister of culture (really!) on lead guitar. The minister can really jam.

His music is an interesting fusion between kaneka and reggae music. His first album was recorded in Nouméa with old Slaves musicians (Lucky Dube Band). Always looking for new sounds and experiences, Edou recorded Waanegejë (1999) with international musicians such as Ben Hakalitz (aboriginal Yothu Yindi 's drummer and percussionist) and Jean-Philippe Dary (keyboard player), who is well-known in the Parisian reggae landscape.

Edou is now recognized as a major kaneka artist around the Pacific Islands. His tours in Samoa (1996), Vanuatu (1996, 1999, 2002), Australia (1997), New Zealand (1997), Tahiti (2000) and Fiji Islands (1999) also helped a lot to raise his status.

Edou's music style (which mixes different influences) joined by his unique voice, make Edou one of the most important artists in the Pacific. —Courtesy Calabash Music