singer Bibie unable to sing for 10 years following an accident

This is THE hit of the 80s! Number 1 of the Top 50, gold record, sold over a million copies, no one forgot the song Slowly released in 1985 by singer Bibie. Daughter of a diplomat, the singer has traveled the world thanks to the travels of her father. She has lived in particular in Germany, Great Britain, Lebanon and Senegal. In an interview with Le Figaro and published this Tuesday, July 12, the artist confided in her musical journey.

“As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be a singer” she admits. When she was still a teenager, Bibie even took part in a song contest organized on television in Ghana, behind her parents’ backs! It’s only by 1972 she embarked on a musical career as a professional. She puts her suitcases in London to try her luck and break into the industry. Her talent is undeniable, she quickly becomes a recognized singer and Fela Kuti, the king of Afrobeat in Nigeria takes her under his wing. In Côte d’Ivoire, Alpha Blondy will even offer him to join the backing vocals of his album. She is even compared to the famous American singer Aretha Franklin!

Bibie, unable to sing for 10 years!

In 1984, the head of Africa for Warner records, Guy Gluck falls under the spell of Béatrice, Bibie. Madly in love, she agrees to follow him to France and it is there that she will inherit the piece All gently from Jean-Pau Dréau, the author of Michel Polnareff. “I knew it by heart but I had difficulties with the text. I went back to Jean-Paul to record a demo. In two takes, the song was in a box” remembers the singer who is nevertheless English-speaking. The single is unveiled and success is on the way. While Chris Blackwell, the producer of Bob Marley and U2 is interested in her, Guy Gluck is opposed to any collaboration. Alcoholic, he becomes a real brake on Bibie’s career. “I became more and more reserved as Guy became aggressive. He was afraid of losing me. I was too scared to confide in anyone, but I was going through real mental torture. Finally, I decided to leave it in 1990” she confides. Thanks to his tube money Slowly, she offers herself a mansion in the Aisne. But his property will catch fire three times! “Following this tragedy, I was unable to sing for 10 years” she explains. Since then, Bibie has returned to live in Ghana where she has converted to vocal singing lessons, stage coaching and vocal therapy. “I healed myself by healing others” she confides, confessing that his career was not what it could have been.