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"The Stromae of Cameroon": Meet Eko Roosevelt (83), Tomorrowland's Oldest Ever Artist

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Eko Roosevelt, an 83-year-old Cameroonian singer and traditional village chief, will become the oldest artist ever to perform at Tomorrowland.
  • His performance is facilitated by a successful remix of his song and the efforts of two Belgians: manager Levi Adriaenssens and Studio Brussel presenter Jeroen Delodder.
  • Roosevelt, a descendant of royalty, is a legend of African music, known for his makossa genre and a career spanning half a century.

Eko Roosevelt, an 83-year-old Cameroonian singer and traditional village chief, is set to make history as the oldest artist to ever perform at the Tomorrowland festival in Boom. His unique appearance on the Melodia stage is a result of a successful remix of his song 'Tondoho Mba' by British duo Disclosure and the dedicated efforts of two Belgians.

Roosevelt, who hails from the coastal village of Lobé in Cameroon, is not only a musician with a career of fifty years but also a traditional chief. He is described as having "royal airs" and is one of the last living legends of Africa's "golden generation" of artists, alongside contemporaries like Mory Kanté and Youssou N'Dour.

I handle property disputes, but I also officiate weddings and issue birth certificates.

— Eko RooseveltRoosevelt explains his duties as a traditional village chief in Lobé.

His royal lineage makes him the "chef traditionnel" of Lobé, a position he inherited and which involves administrative duties and settling local disputes. Despite his responsibilities as a village chief, Roosevelt has pursued an international music career, contributing significantly to the popularization of the "makossa" music genre from Cameroon.

The position is passed down from father to son.

— Eko RooseveltRoosevelt discusses the hereditary nature of his chieftaincy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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