- Warm welcome by Cinnamon Grand Colombo
- Exciting Media meet
Born Seydou Koné in Côte d’Ivoire, Alpha Blondy rose to prominence in 1982 with his breakout album Jah Glory, driven by the hit single “Brigadier Sabari”, a searing protest against police violence.
Over the course of more than four decades, he has released over 20 studio albums and become known globally as the “Bob Marley of Africa.”
Reggae Legend Alpha Blondy’s made his historic debut in Sri Lanka last night at the Sri Lanka Air Force Grounds in the midst of an electrifying armosphere with the best of Rage music.
A review of the show no doubt will flood in the days to come in many other columns and media publications and outlets.
We feature in these columns firstly how the Raggae legend was welcomed to Sri Lanka.
Alpha Blondy, one of Africa’s most celebrated musical voices and an enduring symbol of reggae’s power to uplift and unite, was given a warm welcome by Cinnamon Grand in its inimitable style on Wednesday in Colombo ahead of his concert held last night at the Sri Lanka Air Force Grounds.
A press conference was held later in the afternoon at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, the official hospitality partner for his highly anticipated debut in the country.
Born Seydou Koné in Côte d’Ivoire, Alpha Blondy rose to prominence in 1982 with his breakout album Jah Glory, driven by the hit single “Brigadier Sabari”, a searing protest against police violence. Over the course of more than four decades, he has released over 20 studio albums and become known globally as the “Bob Marley of Africa.”
His multilingual lyrics delivered in Dioula, French, English, Arabic, and Hebrew promote messages of peace, political neutrality, and religious unity. In 2003, his career reached a new milestone with a Grammy nomination for Merci, and in 2005, he was appointed UN Ambassador of Peace for Côte d’Ivoire, recognizing his work toward national reconciliation following years of conflict.
Speaking at the press conference, the Grammy-nominated artist expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception in Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, and the people are very hospitable and friendly. I consider it my luck to be here,” he said. “Music is a universal language, so it is common to any country. I hope to address Sri Lankans in that language in the next few days.”
Alongside Blondy were key representatives from Big Blast Events and EarGear Productions, the organizers behind the Colombo concert. Also in attendance was Kamal Munasinghe, Area Vice President of Cinnamon Colombo Hotels and General Manager of Cinnamon Grand Colombo, who underscored the significance of the moment:
“At Cinnamon Grand Colombo, we are deeply committed to championing global arts and cultural movements. Welcoming Alpha Blondy to our property and to the country reflects our ongoing promise to create extraordinary international experiences.”
As the official hospitality partner, Cinnamon Grand Colombo will provide tailored services for Blondy and his entourage throughout their stay, further cementing the hotel’s growing role as a cultural and entertainment hub for international artists. Alpha Blondy’s arrival not only brings the rhythms of Afro-reggae to Colombo’s heart but also marks another step forward in positioning the island as a rising destination for world-class musical acts.
Pix by Shan Rambukwella
