Ralph Conde
Born in New-York in 1969, Ralph Condé is an autodidact and has been on the musical scene since the age of 16. After receiving his first guitar at the very young age of 7, Ralph has worked to perfect his craft and has build an extraordinary reputation for himself as a musician, a vocalist, a writer, a composer and now a recording studio owner.
His career exploded with the group “Papash” in the mid-80s with 3 best selling albums with hits such as “Gade Yo”, “Feeling Papash”, “Yon Ti Foli” to name a few.
In 1994, the group Papash reformed into “Vag” with some of the original members.
He has collaborated with numerous artists, both Haitian and Caribbean during their performances or with his compositions. His talent has taken him all over the world and he has shared prestigious stages in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean with the Group Tabou Combo which he joined in 1996 and the group “Nu Look” since 2004.
Ralph’s compositions can be found on some of Tabou Combo’s albums throughout the years in albums like “Reference”, “360 Degre”, “Why Not”, “Sans Limites” and “30 ans au Zenith de Tabou”. You can also find his work on the latest Nu Look album with “M’anvi Pranw”.
While in Montreal, Ralph created the group “Banjo” and released the album and video “Si Tu T’en Vas”. His move to Miami will favor his working with Top-Vice on their single “Nou Nan Zone La”. He has also signed and arranged songs on Nu Look album “Still News” amongst which “Fanm Ideal”. He has participated in the work of numerous artists such as Eric Virgal, Jacob Desvarieux, le Groupe Kassav’.
Ralph also has also an impressive soloist path. In 1996, he recorded his first solo album entitled “Ralph Conde & Friends”. Then in 2004, he released the hit Single “Gwada” with well- known producer Henry Debs from Guadeloupe in the French Antilles.
In 2008 he releases an acoustic album, “Akousti Kreyol” featuring a different sound of Ralph Condé, a mellower, easy listening album where you will find “Bluestrings”, “Fom Ale”, “Sa Pa Komplike” a jazzy flavored sound. He also produced the soundtrack for the Haitian movie “Oasis”.
In 2012, Ralph released the solo album “Respect” in which he interprets some of the greatest Kompa song using all guitars.
Ralph currently resides in Miami, Florida where he has opened a recording studio open to all musicians from all over the world. He looks forward to sharing his talent and expertise with new comers as well. He has created web classes for those interested in learning guitar playing. (You can find them on this site under the tab Guitar/Clinic)
Today, Ralph has embarked in his most challenging solo project to date RALPH CONDE + KOD. With the album due out in early summer, Ralph is presenting us with the first single entitled “Fanm Jalou” featuring in a duet well known singer Amstrong Jeune. Ralph wants to be a triple-threat: Guitarist, Singer and solo Artist.