L’Oiseau Rare

From thief to music star whose greatest wish is to make money to help the poor – that’s the inspiring story of Gabon’s L’Oiseau Rare, DJ Edu’s featured artist this week.

L’Oiseau Rare is now one of Gabon’s most successful artists. His numerous hits include Kati-K and Niamatos, as well as collaborations with Didi B from Ivory Coast and Shatta Wale from Ghana.

As he tells TIA, L’Oiseau Rare originally wanted to be an architect, then a pilot, but fell into a life of crime and ended up spending time in prison for theft.

While he was behind bars, he discovered his musical talent. Thanks to the encouragement of the other inmates, he was determined to turn his life around and make a career in music once he had served his time.

He says his experience has made him very focused and hard working and he is now a devout Muslim. He takes pleasure in inspiring others to quit crime as he did, and he wants to become a big philanthropist.

Presenter: DJ Edu
Producer: Catherine Fellows
Interviewer and translator: Ata Ahli Ahebla
Voiceover: Hygin Ndjoli

DJ Edu’s 10in10 tracklisting

Perfect Timing - Yeezir (Namibia)
My Life - Ozaguin (Central African Republic)
Luz Apagada - Mungoz & Deny Beat ft Okenio M (Angola)
Ndokudai NeMoyo - Jnr Spragga (Zimbabwe)
Shake That – Patoranking ft Ruger (Nigeria)
Peace ar twa - O'bra (Mauritius)
3ROOS ALBA7AR - SayaX (Libya)
I Need You - Nelson Freitas ft Anderson Mário (Cabo Verde)
Middle - Vinka (Uganda)
Dance Samawaah! - Collo Blue & NDOVU KUU (Kenya)