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Meiway
(Côte d'Ivoire)
Biography
The early nineties saw the rise of a new cosmopolitan dance music style in Abidjan, mainly
introduced by Meiway. This new style, « Zoblazo », entered the dance floors
in many African countries, and is characterized by a simple uptempo rhythm and high tech instrumentation.
The chorus lines may seem a bit sweet for European ears, but Meiway's music guarantees a hell of a party!
Fréderic Ehui, as his real name is, didn't grow up in a family of professional musicians, but his father played accordeon in his spare time, and his mother sung in the church parish. When he was 9 years old, he started sing along in church as well. At college, he was part of a few school bands, and in 1978, one of those bands, Pace, won a first price at a song contest. He separated from the band right after discussions on how to divide the price they won, and Fréderic created his first own band.
In 1985 he arrived in Paris, where he created a new band, Défense d'Ivoire, but he worked at the same time at a gas station. With his savings and some help from a bank loan, he financed the recording of a first album « Ayibebou » in 1989, and it was an instant success in West Africa.
Fréderic Ehui, as his real name is, didn't grow up in a family of professional musicians, but his father played accordeon in his spare time, and his mother sung in the church parish. When he was 9 years old, he started sing along in church as well. At college, he was part of a few school bands, and in 1978, one of those bands, Pace, won a first price at a song contest. He separated from the band right after discussions on how to divide the price they won, and Fréderic created his first own band.
In 1985 he arrived in Paris, where he created a new band, Défense d'Ivoire, but he worked at the same time at a gas station. With his savings and some help from a bank loan, he financed the recording of a first album « Ayibebou » in 1989, and it was an instant success in West Africa.
Meiway
Over the following years, Meiway continued to release successful albums, where he further develops his Zoblazo style of music, inspired on traditions from his N'Zema tribe (also called Appolo), but also other rhythms from Côte d'Ivoire, from Ghana, pop, fanfare. His music is very dancable, and the lyrics are always relevant, be it on serious subjects or lighter subjects.
Born: 17 March 1962, as Fréderic-Désiré Ehui in Grand-Bassam
Style: Zoblazo
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Légende | 2019 | Meiway Organisation / Original Music | |
| Illimitic | 2016 | Meiway Organisation / Musicast | |
| Professeur (M23) | 2012 | Meiway Organisation / Lusafrica | |
| M20 | 2010 | Lusafrica | |
| 9ème Commandement (900% Zoblazo) | 2006 | X-POL Music | |
| 200 % Zoblazo | 2006 | Wedoo Music WMCD8 | Re-issue of the 1992 album |
| Golgotha (800% Zoblazo) | 2004 | Lusafrica 46218-2 | |
| Le meilleur de Meiway | 2003 | Sono CDS 9114 | Compilation |
| L'Eternel (700% Zoblazo) | 2001 | JPS Production CDJPS 158 | |
| Extraterrestre (600% Zoblazo) | 1999 | Lusafrica 36214-2 | |
| Best of... | 1997 | Sonodisc CD 88808 | Compilation |
| Les Génies vous parlent (500 % Zoblazo) | 1997 | Lusafrica 26230-2 | |
| Appolo 95 (400 % Zoblazo) | 1995 | Sonodisc CD 80001 | |
| Jamais 203 (300 % Zoblazo) | 1993 | Sonodisc CD 69191 | |
| 200 % Zoblazo | 1992 | Sonodisc CD 5501 | |
| Ayibebou | 1989 | LP EF47301 | CD release Sonodisc 1993 (CD 67373) |
| Albums by Zo Gang (featuring Meiway): | |||
| Le Procès | 2000 | JPS Production CDJPS 084 | |
| Hold Up | 1998 | Lusafrica 26274 | |
Page added February 1998