Ruth TAFEBE

Ruth TAFEBE is an artist from Ivory, Coast.
From Bouaké to Abidjan via New York, Utrecht, Brussels...
Ruth was born and raised in Ivory Coast, where she returned 7 years ago after 26 years spent around the world. Rumba, Jazz, Ivorian music, Reggae, Disco and Funk resonated in the family home. Nourished by melodies and rhythms, Ruth is music. An exceptional voice recognized from a young age and dubbed by good fairies, such as Tony Allen, Ruth is an artist steeped in grace and talent.
After moving to France, to Montpellier, at the age of 15, she joined the Sagrada Familia (the leader of the group had heard her sing Corner Stone by Bob Marley in church). Later, DJ Sundae heard her voice during a concert in Barcelona. Together, they set up The Sunshipp, an electro project which took them to the Printemps de Bourges, the Transmusicales de Rennes, the Belle de Mai in Marseille...
It was in New York that she launched into Afrobeat. Having left with a demo of the album recorded with Julien Raulet, guitarist of Fanga with whom she founded “Afrockerz”, Ruth quickly made a place on the stages of the “big apple”. Every weekend, she would perform on stage at the famous St Nicks Jazz pub (Harlem), as well as at the Shrine (Harlem) and the Zebulon (Brooklyn).
Back in Europe, in Brussels, Ruth founded a new band to play her album with the evocative name: Holy Warriors, recorded in part with Tony Allen (Comet Records /2007). Five great musicians from varied musical backgrounds, from Jazz to Afrobeat, including Rock and Soul, accompany Ruth's warm voice and form “The AfroSoulMessengerz”. A few years and many live shows later, Ruth launched the creation of her new album, Téré Té Ségué, with her guitarist and partner Giotis Damianidis. Once again, master Tony Allen offers her his support and his presence on the album. Together, they produce a unique genre of Afrobeat with Soul accents influenced by Ghanaian and Ivorian music from the 70’s.
Today, from the Ivorian capital, Ruth continues to create music committed to the environment, the mixing of cultures and other causes close to her heart. One of his recent compositions appears on the compilation Shika shika: A guide to the birdsong of Western Africa.
For more than a year, she has also shared her favorites and her great knowledge of African music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s with NTS radio listeners through her monthly show; “MiNaYo”
Ruth TAFEBE is also committed to culture and, in November 2022, brought together the Bo Balo collective. Together, they set up and launched the eponymous festival in the charming town of Bouaké. The 2nd edition of this festival will take place on December 7, 8 and 9.