Ariel Sheney
Ariel Sheney is an Ivorian artist who is one of the big names in coupé-décalé, a popular musical genre in Côte d’Ivoire. He is known for hits such as “Ghetto”, “Yelelema” and “Amina”, as well as for his vocal performances and his talents as an arranger and composer. Here’s his biography.
Ariel Sheney, whose real name is Sré Ariel Jean Arthur, was born on July 1, 1990 in Abidjan, to parents from western Côte d’Ivoire. He grew up in a family of music enthusiasts, his father being a pastor and choirmaster. From an early age, he learned to play several instruments, including piano, drums, percussion and guitar. He began his musical career in gospel and jazz, before turning to coupé-décalé.
In 2010, he joined the RTI orchestra on the Podium program as pianist, where he met DJ Arafat, the king of coupé-décalé. Arafat invited him to take part in his first concert at the Palais de la Culture and became his mentor. Ariel Sheney then joined Yorogang, the group created by DJ Arafat, which brings together artists, dancers and composers.
Ariel Sheney is making a name for himself with his arrangements and compositions for Yorogang, but also with his own songs, such as “Ghetto”, which became a hit in 2016. He stands out for his melodious voice and his ability to blend coupé-décalé with other genres, such as RnB or afro-pop. He collaborates with other Ivorian artists, such as Serge Beynaud, Kiff No Beat and Debordo Leekunfa.
In 2017, he won the New Generation Artist award at the coupé-décalé Awards, which angered DJ Arafat, who felt betrayed by his protégé. The two men come into conflict, lashing out at each other through their songs. Ariel Sheney leaves Yorogang to pursue his solo career.
He released several hit singles, such as “Yelelema”, “Amina” and “Sympa”, which racked up millions of views on YouTube. He performs on prestigious stages, such as the Palais de la Culture and the Zénith in Paris. He pays tribute to DJ Arafat after his tragic death in 2019 in a track entitled “À jamais”.
Ariel Sheney is now one of the most popular and influential artists on the Ivorian music scene. He is nicknamed Colonel Lobôffouet, in reference to his military-inspired style of dress. He is also known as Le Chinois or Le Chouchou du Coupé-Décalé.
He aims to continue developing his music and reach an international audience. He defines himself as a versatile, ambitious artist who wants to make his mark.
