SONG OF THE DAY Gnonnas Pedro Et Ses Dadjes – Dadje Von O Von Non

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Cotonou-born Gnonnan Sossou Pierre Kouassivi, a.k.a Gnonnas Pedro was a composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist (guitar, trumpet, sax) who started his career at the age of 20 when he joined leading Benin band, Los Panchos. Known worldwide for his Cuban influenced creations and Agbadja (for which he is credited with updating the traditional Agbadja style of his home region) he embraced many styles of music, including highlife and juju.

In the mid 60’s Gnonnas formed and fronted Pedro y Sus Panchos, a group known as “the African band that speaks every language”.  They later reformed his as Gnonnas Pedro and his Dadjes and went on to release many singles and EP’s throughout the late 1960’s.

Today’s song is the title track from their 4-track EP Dadjê Von Ô Von Non, which was originally released in 1967 on French label, Riviera Africa.  This ridiculously bouncy ear worm also features on an Analog Africa’s 2009 compilation, Legends Of Benin – Afro Funk, Cavacha, Agbadja, Afro​-​Beat, which is worth checking out too!! Listen above.