Tonton David
Tonton David | |
|---|---|
 Tonton David performing in 2006 | |
| Born | David Grammont 12 October 1967 |
| Died | 16 February 2021 (aged 53) |
| Resting place | Champigny-sur-Marne cemetery |
| Other names | Ray David |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1988-2021 |
David Grammont (12 October 1967 – 16 February 2021),[1][2] better known under his stage name Tonton David was a French Reggae singer born in Réunion. He was renowned for his raggamuffin performances, but used influences of soul music, gro kâ (from the French West Indies), the Zairian rumba.
Biography
Tonton David had a turbulent childhood in a suburb of Paris. He left his family aged 14 and had a successful career in music with songs featuring powerful and political lyrics.[3] In 1990, Tonton David had his big break when he was featured in a TV report about "Black Paris". Following that performance, Tonton David was signed by the Virgin record label. Shortly after, he recorded "Peuples du monde", which was featured in French rap compilation Rapattitudes.
Le blues de la racaille released on 2 December 1991, was his debut album in which he explored social issues such as unemployment, poverty and racism, becoming a figurehead for a whole generation of disenchanted French youth. In 1991, he performed in front of an audience of 12,000 music fans at the
Discography
Albums
- 1991: Le blues de la racaille
- 1994: Allez leur dire
- 1995: Récidiviste
- 1999: Faut qu'ça arrête
- 2002: Best Of (compilation album)
- 2005: Babelou, la gagne
- 2006: Livret de famille
- 2006: Il marche seul
- 2009: Ma gouille
Singles
- 1990: "Peuple du monde" (FR #32)
- 1994: "Chacun sa route" (with K.O.D.)
- 1994: "Sûr et certain" (FR #9)
- 1994: "Ma Number One" (FR #17)
- 1994: "Il marche seul" (FR #29)
- 1995: "Fugitif" (with Cheb Mami (FR #30)
- Featured in
- 2005: "La gagne" (Intouchable feat. Tonton David) (FR #40)
References
- ^ a b Hird, Allison (17 February 2021). "France's favourite uncle of reggae, Tonton David, dies age 53". RFI. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ Le Monde.fr (in French). Archived from the originalon 17 February 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ "Tonton David" (in French). RFI Musique. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
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