SWSMeet two Beninese artists easily confused with Beyoncé and John Legend
BY JAMAL WATKIN
In the song N’lonwébi (I love you so much) released in August 2021 by Beninese recording artist Pépé Oléka featuring her compatriot Vi-Phint, the duo sounds a lot like John Legend and Beyoncé executing John Legend’s breathtaking All of me, only without the piano. Pépé’s powerful, captivating voice with its wide range and Vi-Phint’s golden, silky voice make the 3’25’’ song a deli to savor over and over again.
The beautiful song would be a hit in the United States, the entertainment mecca of the world, but the local environment where recording artists barely—if ever—live off their work, does not provide the opportunity for that to happen.
