Explore the rich musical heritage of 1980s Seychelles – a period when local creativity flourished under a variety of global influences. This playlist showcases tracks by iconic Seychellois artists, each of whom drew on traditional sega and moutya rhythms while incorporating zouk, rumba, reggae, and the international pop styles that were then in vogue. Embark on a musical journey that brings together past and present, reflecting the archipelago’s cultural plurality and Creole identity.

Danse nous moutia

Moutia song, sanson moutya - from the single Issa 6008

Words & Music: Patrick Victor - 1980.

Born in 1952, Patrick Victor is an iconic figure in Seychellois Creole culture. A guitarist, poet, and singer-songwriter, he hails from a musical family: his grandfather, for example, led a kanmtolé group in Anse Boileau. From an early age, his songs carried strong cultural and identity-based messages. He was a member of many groups including “Still Water”, “Bwa Gayak”, and “Latroup Nasyonnal”, and has held the title of Honorary Cultural Ambassador of the Seychelles since 2019, working to promote his islands’ heritage locally, regionally and internationally.

Si ou pas travail cotte ou pou gagné

Sega rumba - from the single Issa 5085

Words & Music: Jocelyn Perreau - 1980.

Jocelyn Perreau (1950–2001) was a Mauritian singer-songwriter and guitarist who settled in the Seychelles after touring with Serge Lebrasse in 1973. A popular figure on the Seychellois music scene with hits in Creole, French, and English, including "Vire vire manman" and “Séga mannivel”, he helped to spread Creole sounds, particularly across the Indian Ocean islands.

Ensemble

Creole variety music – mizik variete, from the single Palme Records PRS 1, Words & Music: Jean Ally

Words & Music: Jean Ally - 1980

Jean Ally (born 1951 in Praslin) is a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player whose career began in the 1970s. He was instrumental in promoting popular music and gospel in the Seychelles, as well as in Kenya, Australia, England, and Germany, performing songs in Creole, English and French. Renowned for his cultural and  spiritual engagement, he recorded several albums, contributed to patriotic projects, and is honoured on the local Musicians' Wall of Fame, leaving a lasting mark on the Seychellois artistic landscape.

La colombe

Creole ballad – Balad kréol, from the single Playa Sound PS 10042.

 Words & Music: David Philoé - 1983

David Philoé (born 1949 in Praslin) is a solo singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, organ, harmonica, zez, bonm, drums) known for his contributions to Creole and popular music. He started singing in the Be Sent Ann church choir at the age of fourteen. Starting in the 1970s, he developed a body of work blending sega, traditional music, and gospel, reflecting everyday life and the cultural identity of the Seychelles. One of his most notable compositions is "La Colombe", which remains a celebrated classic and demonstrated his artistry and dedication to the local music sphere.

Ile Praslin

Praslin waltz – Vals praslinwa) from the cassette "Mon verre ine saviré" Palme Records LTD PRC 016.

Words & Music: Raymond Barra - 1983.

Raymond Barra was a Seychellois singer and musician who is remembered for his contributions to Creole popular music. Born on 1st May 1943, he made a lasting mark on the local scene through songs much loved by the public which fused traditional rhythms with local melodies. On the strength of pieces such as "Lakle lo latab ronn" and "Bel Baba" he helped spread and promote Seychellois musical culture, leaving an abiding legacy across the archipelago.

Faire li croire

Slow dance - from the cassette Palme Records Ltd Seychelles

Words & Music: François Havelock - 1984.

François Havelock (1955–2013) was a singer, songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, banjo, violin, mandolin, and drums. Renowned for his contribution to sega, he began his career performing at wedding receptions and the Bamboo Night Club. Through songs steeped in everyday life, humour, and tradition, he defined the Seychellois cultural arena, popularising local sounds on stage and the small screen, leaving a lasting legacy in the nation’s musical culture.

Vandredi sen

Sega moutya, from the cassette “Vandredi sen”, Youth Enterprise Services.

Words & Music: Jean-Marc Volcy -  

Jean-Marc Volcy (born 1966) is a singer, composer, and guitarist who is widely regarded as one of Creole sega’s leading lights. Beginning in the 1980s, he interwove traditional melodies with modern rhythms and Creole lyrics to celebrate the daily lives, culture, and identity of the Seychellois people. His hit “Vandredi sen” – which won him the Grand Prix d'Afrique award – profoundly shaped the local musical landscape with its energy and festive message. This achievement strengthened his reputation as a champion of Seychellois music, inspiring successive generations of artists.

Kaptenn

Zouk - from the cassette "Mesan" Island Music Seychelles

Hudson Dorothé (born 1955) is a Seychellois singer, songwriter, and guitarist renowned for blending sega, reggae, and zouk in his repertoire. Through albums such as "Plantasyon" (1980), "Refleksyon" (1981), and "Zistwar Mon Paran" (1983), he explored themes of everyday life, love, and local culture, while showcasing the Seychellois Creole language in his lyrics. His work reflects the depth and diversity of popular music in the archipelago.

Le temps l'arrivé

Sega - from the single Piros P 5058.

Marie-Cécile Médor is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1975 during the Seychelles Women's Song Contest with "Rende moi mon la liberté". This track was later included on the 2001 Buda Records compilation CD "Musiques populaires des îles Seychelles". The song "Le temps l'arrivé" appears on her debut vinyl record, issued in 1982, after which she recorded a single with Patrick Victor, before Palme Records released a CD in 1986 entirely featuring her work (PRCD-0054-2).

Anonymous

Seggae performed by Camille Jones - Track No. 1 B Side

Born in 1956 at Anse Royale, Jones Camille – passionate about music from childhood – first made a name for himself in 1976 as a singer performing at local dances alongside the group Waves. He then continued his career with the group Emotion, and recorded several cassettes, including "Soufrans Lazenes", "Zoli Baba", "Lanmour Senser", "Coco de Mer" and "Lanmour Fleuri". The track presented here is taken from an untitled master cassette (no details provided).

Fanie Précourt