Last night, Azaya made history by performing his first concert at the Arena Grand Paris, under a freezing sky and before a captivated crowd. A year of massive publicity had been building towards the event, and the audience turned out in force, despite the cold and unforeseen circumstances.

A complicated but expected start

At 4:32 p.m., the first fans were already there. The doors were supposed to open at 6 p.m., with the concert scheduled to start at 8 p.m. But between delays and soundchecks, they had to wait until 8:30 p.m. Impatience was mounting, security was overwhelmed, but the cold didn't dampen the spectators' spirits.

Trecy La Cayenne heats up the room

Congolese singer Trecy La Cayenne opened the show with an intense thirty-minute performance. The hall gradually filled up. The master of ceremonies, Kadiatou Kaba, invited the audience to sing the Guinean national anthem to welcome the star of the evening.

Azaya's imposing entrance

At 9:44 p.m., Azaya and his nine musicians and four backing vocalists took to the stage. Accompanied by smoke bombs and illuminated by cell phone torches, the singer, dressed in a garment adorned with the Nimba symbol and carrying a royal staff, was greeted by a massive ovation.

Hits and thrills

The concert began with "Cercle de feu," followed by collaborations with Soul Bang's, and then hits like "Allah Lé Kabon" and "Gnénèssouma." The audience sang, danced, and grooved to the rhythm of the songs, creating a unique connection between the artist and his fans.

A committed pause

Between songs, Azaya spoke out in support of Djelykaba Bintou, who had been the victim of an online controversy. The audience applauded enthusiastically before other Guinean artists such as Lil Saako, Lévi Bobo, and Koury Sample took over during the break.

A powerful comeback and explosive collaborations

At 10:49 p.m., Azaya returned to the stage in a black and gold suit. He performed "Yélégbéli" with Tenin Diawara, then joined Binta Diabaté for an electrifying duet. The magic reached an extraordinary level at the Arena.

A powerful and moving moment was the appearance on stage of Ibro Gnamet, Azaya's younger sister, who was unable to finish "Ne Touchez Pas" because the emotion was so strong.

A symbolic and national closing

The concert ended at 11:32 p.m. with "Mamaya," a festive anthem in the colors of Guinea. The audience, waving white handkerchiefs and singing in unison, transformed the Arena into a huge public dance.

A memorable evening, despite the imperfections

Despite delays and some organizational issues, the concert will remain unforgettable for the emotion and mobilization it generated. Azaya proved that he remains the voice of a people, capable of uniting a generation around dignity, music, and Guinean history.

This performance symbolizes Guinea's cultural openness, and establishes Azaya as the standard-bearer of an awakened youth, determined to sing of its dignity and to claim its history.