JEAHY: The Malagasy Artist Who Makes You Travel Without a Ticket

Born in the heart of Madagascar, in a small village called Nisoa near Besele, close to Itampolo and Ampanihy West (Tuléar region), JEAHY is a singer, songwriter, and self-taught guitarist whose music carries the soul of his homeland.

His artist name, JEAHY, means “the man” in the Mahafaly dialect of Malagasy. His given names, Laurent Manjakasoa, translate to “good king”—a fitting tribute to his heritage as a descendant of Mahafaly princes and princesses.

From humble beginnings in the remote Malagasy bush, JEAHY’s path has been nothing short of extraordinary. As a child, he was lulled by the sound of ancestral instruments: his ancestors’ paritako, his grandfather’s langoro and aponga, and his mother’s kantsà. Music ran deep in the family—his parents performed together in a group called ATAUM, with his mother as a singer and his father, known as Etsifosaine, playing the jejolava and marovany. In Madagascar, JEAHY is also known affectionately as Jeahibesele de Mada.

Over time, JEAHY crafted his own unique sound—Fusion Beko Sauvage—a bold blend of local colors and global rhythms. His music intertwines the raw energy of Malagasy blues with reggae, tsapiky, and the hypnotic cadence of Beko, a traditional form of vocal trance. Sung in the Mahafaly dialect, his songs invite listeners on vivid journeys through Malagasy life, customs, and spirit. His artistry is amplified by his choice of instruments such as the kabosy, bohemian guitar, and lap-steel guitar, each adding its own texture to his vibrant soundscape.

Now based in the south of Réunion Island with his Réunionese wife, JEAHY continues to sing in Mahafaly with renewed passion. Naturally, he has become part of the Global Music community—an ambassador for Madagascar and a bridge between cultures of the Indian Ocean.

Through his albums—Fahasambara Pira (Pure Happiness, 2019) and Vasianampela (The Demoiselle Star, 2024)—JEAHY offers a transcendent blend of tradition and modernity, guiding his listeners across unexplored musical horizons. His voice, deeply rooted yet universal, carries the joy, resilience, and poetry of his people—inviting the world to travel with him, no ticket required.