Adjabel

Guitarist and singer Mariame Kadi and percussionist Atissou Loko met in 1997. Loko, born Cyril Forman, had taken his name that year and wanted to start a band influenced by his stay in Haïti, the land of his ancestors and where his interest in the voodoo culture grew.

The name Adjabel comes from "Adja," a place in Benin where voodoo beliefs still exist, and "Label," a love goddess in Haiti. The band released its first record, Tanbou Base Music in 2000, followed by Tanbou Base Music, "Akoustic Resolution and Origines. —Courtesy Calabash Music