Magic System: “It all started with word of mouth,” A’Salfo reveals behind the success of “Premier Gaou”
A’Salfo, the leader of the famous Ivorian group Magic System, has recently shared the secrets behind the triumph of their hit song “Premier Gaou.” He made these revelations during his appearance on the television show “Oui Hustle.”
The popular Ivorian Zouglou group, Magic System, became internationally known with their hit “Premier Gaou.” This celebrated song highlighted the four charismatic members of the band: A’Salfo, Goudé, Manadja, and Tino. The song was so successful that it was covered by the renowned Congolese artist, Koffi Olomidé.
During the podcast “Oui Hustler,” Salif Traoré, better known by the stage name A’Salfo and the lead voice of Magic System, shared an interesting story related to the “Premier Gaou” phenomenon. “Ivorians didn’t know ‘Premier Gaou.’ The first time we played ‘Premier Gaou,’ it was in a small maquis in Yopougon and what struck me was an old lady selling fish across the road who came over and asked the DJ to replay the song because she had listened to it and it touched her. And after that, everything started, word of mouth,” he recounts.
He also peeled back the curtain on the preparations for the 16th edition of the Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA), which will be held from May 14 to May 19, 2024. According to him, while waiting to unveil the major plans for the 2024 FEMUA at a press conference in a few weeks in Abidjan, he is currently multiplying meetings with companies and institutions.
In the meantime, the general commissioner of this cultural event was received last week by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, at the institution’s headquarters in Paris. This year, the UN agency is supporting FEMUA to further promote the protection of copyright in Africa.
Following UNESCO, A’Salfo also met with the Director-General of CIE, Ahmadou Bakayoko, and the Director-General of LONACI, Dramane Coulibaly, both key partners of FEMUA.