“Iaorana, welcome to the island of Tahiti, feel great vibes in Tahiti!” It is hard to miss this lyric. The creator of the success of “Iaorana” is Tahitian musician Jansé Wesson who has since ranked at the top of the charts. This hit is not his first. To his credit, there is also “Petit Soldat” (little soldier), “Emilie” which received more than 57000 views on YouTube, and “Loin d’ici” (Far from here), which made the Pacific Top 20.
Designated an Air Tahiti Nui ambassador for his contributions to promoting Tahiti, Jansé Wesson has always been immersed in music. As an adolescent, he and some friends tried their luck “just for laughs,” according to him. Then he became a sound engineer and today he is a producer. He produces the show “Studio Session Live” on the channel Polynésie Première. A key artist in the fenua, he also shares the mike with other singers, such as K-Reen, Lola, Jmi Sissoko, Baby K-Pone…
because Jansé Wesson does not only do music, he composes pertinent messages and surrounds himself with the best in order to spread them. He explains, “As artists, we have a responsibility. We must think about the people who listen to us rather than just ourselves.” Themes can also be raw, such as in the song “Emilie,” which tells the story of domestic violence. His stage name reflects his commitment: “I chose ‘Wesson’ because words can have more impact than weapons.” Always positive, Jansé Wessons’s songs entail anthems and catch phrases.
Born in France with a French Polynesian mother, he sings about his attachment to the fenua (homeland). “Iaorana,” co-written and performed with Jmi Sissoko, has gained internet popularity: “The light blue of the sky fuses with the deep blue of the sea, the grandeur of the mountains stands out against the depth of the valleys, and vahine wearing pareu dance to the rhythm of the ukulele…” The video has 60,000 views so far on YouTube. Jansé Wesson adds, “40% of the viewers are from France. This is great. I love singing about the fenua and its dream-like qualities. It is place all its own. People greet you with a big smile, which is unusual in this world! It is important to reconnect with one’s roots. I am very proud to represent the fenua.” “Iaorana” will be on Jansé Wesson’s second album, Moana, which he is currently working on. Moana is scheduled for release in the fall. Jansé Wesson says, “’Moana’ is my first name, which means ocean in Tahitian. The ocean can be calm or agitated and comprises 70% of the planet.” This new opus will contain a dozen songs that are 100% reggae and will feature the famous Polynesian group Manahune, as well as Nuttea, K-Reen, and Jmi Sissoko. While waiting, you can always replay “Iaorana”…“Love the sea, love the sun, love nature.”
