“To glorify my Lord, I sing, I write, and I teach”

–Daniel Adebiaye Dossou, expert in Strategic Management, Business Administration and Marketing, and an author.

BY SOUMANOU SALIFOU

Daniel Adebiaye Dossou, a graduate of the State University of Colorado with an advanced degree in economics, and the Colorado School of Travel, is a Beninese expert in Strategic Management, Business Administration, and Marketing who has penned three outstanding academic books on economics prefaced by renowned scholars of his country. He is therefore well known in educational circles. Then, out of nowhere emerged his talents in music that got local radio stations playing tracks from his nine albums so far that total 91 songs. Because of the messages of Love and Peace that permeates his songs, several of his songs were played during a recent event to foster national cohesion in Benin.

In fact, Dossou is not a neophyte in music. Back in the 1990s, he managed for Fondation Espace Afrique, a Geneva-based African humanitarian organization, a sound system on which some of the best-known African entertainers performed; big names like Grammy-winning Yousou N’dour of Senegal; the late “King“ of the Congolese rumba and excellent dancer, Papa Wemba; the Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer, and producer Fally Ipupa, and several others.

Dossou personally met and worked with several other leading African artists, but the list is too long to discuss here. Reminiscing those days, he tells The African with a smile: “Back then I knew nothing about writing a song and singing.”

But that was the management aspect of music. So, when was music born in this expert in Strategic Management and author, and what inspired him to sort of burst into the scene as a recording artist?

Loving music and being loved back

“One of the things I loved the most in my childhood was music. And I realized just five years ago that the music itself was growing within me and was liking me back.” That, says Dossou, “sparked the inspiration and creativity that has birthed so far nine albums and 91 songs.”

The economist, management consultant and author turned recording artist also says: “I feel like having a divine connection that inspires me and seems to command a special mission that I am starting to take seriously.”

Dossou says he loves dancing, adding that he even once won the prize of the best dancer when he was a student in the United States in the 1990s. “That was a long time ago,” he concedes, “but I can still impress you today with some Michael Jackson’s steps, and more certainly with my African native village dances: Zinli, Massè-Gohoun, Gogo, Chink-system, and more.” Daniel Dossou, who sings in French, English and some of the local languages of Benin, specializes in Gospel music.

Less Babylon, less betrayal, more love

Dossou shares the story behind the creation of the song “Jardin d’Eden,” which is also the title of that album:

“One evening, I went to my recording studio and heard a beautiful instrumental music my song engineer, Chadrack Hounguevou, had just created. I decided to take the microphone and sing a new song. I just had a rough text in mind. That song that I improvised without any real preparation became a real delight for a lot of people.”

The story of the mythic Eden Garden is well known. The entertainer says this song invites the divine love that prevails in that legendary garden to come back on earth. “In that song, I pray for less Babylon, for less betrayal, and for more love on earth.”

Dossou says he realized that Gospel music can make the world a better place. “My song spreads good news, enlightens and promotes better attitudes. And I often say that ‘my music, books and managerial teachings will not make any sense if they do not help solve a problem or provide a genuine entertainment or pleasure to my fans.’” The artist goes on to describe what he calls his artistic mission: “I sing to give advice and joy, to help establish a good connection with the good spirit we all have within ourselves.”

Inspired by angels

With his music deeply rooted in moral and spiritual values, Dossou says the inspiration for his best songs comes after moments of relaxation with friends and family members, like “a gift from nowhere or from an angel, seemingly gratifying me for a good pleasure I have wholeheartedly shared with other people.” He says that with titles such as “Restitution,” “Confession,” “Forgiveness,” “Say Yes to the Lord,” “Look for Paradise,” “Ma Prière” (My prayer), “Mon Tabernacle,” “Amen,” “I Heard my Lord,” he has the feeling that he’s just spreading good and useful messages.

But it goes deeper than that sometimes. “For heavenly inspiration, I first pray, look into the past, feel deeply the present, and capture or create songs by asking myself what the future holds for human beings. I find myself in my best creativity role as ‘a mysterious receptionist,’ a ‘trained dreamer’ working for some types of ‘good-minded angels.’”

Daniel Dossou is very proud of his music group and extremely grateful to them. The economist/lecturer/artist works primarily with a group of seven talented musicians, a Beninese group called Viviola that he likens to the Jacksons (read Jackson Five). The group comprises a fantastic international pianist and music engineer named Didier Ahouandjinou; a brilliant song engineer named Chadrack Hounguèvou (Gvs Studio) that Dossou says “‘gives my songs the good quality my fans enjoy on each of my albums.” His singers, with silky voices, include his wife Fagla Armande and several others: V. Alice, K. Esther, A. Shègun, M. Pablo, A lice, and G. Yves.

Deep family religious roots

This is a rare combination in one man: sharp academic credentials coupled with impressive musical talents rooted in spiritual values to spread the good. But the explanation is found in the deep religious roots of the man.

“One day, my dad told me ‘A good Christian is educated to unite the interests of heaven and earth,’” says Daniel Dossou, who adds that “Today, some freethinkers call it ‘a societal responsibility’ with some type of moral integration in business principles.” He notes that Emanuel (Jesus) and Mary are the religious foundation of his family, those being the exact first names of his parents, Emanuel and Marie Dossou, whose children’s names are Samuel, Dorcas, and Rebecca (rip)—big names in the Bible. Dossou says he calls himself “a moderate believer with a scientific outlook, and a spiritual or ‘Abel tendency.’” I referred to that in one of my songs that says: ‘I will never die for obeying my God.’ Read about Caen and Abel.”

Samuel Dossou-Aworet—to him Daniel Dossou referred to above as Samuel—is the recording artist’s senior brother, a business tycoon who dreams big and has achieved a lot for Africa in areas as diverse as aeronautics, education, music, religions, and culture. Dossou-Aworet is known for his generous contributions to scientific research and humanitarian assistance through a large international foundation he set up decades ago, Fondation Espace Afrique. To conclude our long, multi-part interview, Daniel gave big brother Samuel a nod: “Thanks, big brother! I learn a lot from you. Praise the lord.”

Hoping to make a deal with an American label

“Do you intend to use your music as a money–making business, The African asked Daniel Dossou whom the magazine has known over the years as a successful expert in strategic management and business administration, and marketing. He answered emphatically “Yes, of course! I even started making money from my music. I wrote a song on a special occasion and got a lot of money from a person who did not even ask me to sing for him.” He added: “I finance and produce my songs by myself and certainly do need to make money with it in order to continue.” The recording artist also said he’s interested in working with an American label: “Making a deal with an American label will be wonderful.“

To read an economic analysis by Daniel Adebiaye Dossou, click here

To view more of his videos, click here