Monique Séka

The "Queen of Afro-Zouk," Monique Seka has embraced, not only the music of her homeland, but influences from around the globe. During an early-'90s interview, she explained, "When I sing, I don't see Africa, but I see all the Black people." Descended from a family of musicians, Seka began her career in 1982 as a member of her uncle Jhon Morgan's group, the Maya Melodye Band. After a lengthy stint with the Ivory Coast TV Orchestra, she launched her solo career with an album of love songs, Tontie Affou, in 1985. Seka's second album, Missounwa, released four years later, received the Gran Prix de la Musique Afro-Caraibeene. With the release of her third album, Okaman, in 1995, Seka reached out to an international audience. The title track sold more than 1,000,000 copies. ~ Craig Harris