The Mauritian diaspora is honoured. Angelo Gopee, Managing Director of Live Nation France, has been promoted to the rank of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for services rendered to the music world. The announcement of the recipients was made by the French Ministry of Culture on 4 May.
“I would first like to thank the Ministry of Culture and the French government for this recognition of my journey in the world of music over the past 35 years. I accept this distinction in all humility. I dedicate it to the great worldwide family of Live Nation, my close collaborators of the day and of yesteryear, my friends who have always been by my side in the early days of this musical world, my family in Mauritius and especially my parents,” Angelo Gopee points out.
Live Nation France is the French arm of Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading entertainment group. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it has a market capitalisation of $20 billion (Rs 860 billion). Its activities are centred around four areas: concert organisation, sponsorship, advertising and ticketing.
“The award comes at the right time, a time when the entertainment industry is returning to normal after two difficult years. It is a source of encouragement to keep the world of concert and artist production at the top of its game,” said Angelo Gopee.
Indeed, for Live Nation Entertainment, 2022 will be one of the group’s best years, as ticket sales are already up significantly on 2019. And as an example, it is Live Nation France that is overseeing the Rolling Stones concert, scheduled for 23 July at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, as well as Coldplay, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Gad Elmaleh and Harry Styles, among others…
Born in 1969 to Mauritian parents, Angelo Gopee entered the music business in 1987. In that year, he founded IZB, the first hip hop association, and IZB MC, one of the pioneers of French rap. Two years later, Angelo Gopee organised the first hip hop concerts in Paris. When he says hip hop, he means all the painters, graffiti artists, singers and musicians, a clever mix that can be found in his shows.
His sense of organisation and the big show put him under the radar of the major record companies. And it was no surprise that Universal entrusted him with the management of the urban music labels. From then on, his skills and talents were discovered beyond the Parisian perimeter. In 1997, after three years as a label manager, he returned to producing concerts, including famous artists. Global stars such as Jay Z, Rihanna, Kanye West and Robbie Williams recognised his talent and skill. Two years after his appointment as Senior Vice President of Live Nation France, he became Managing Director in 2012.
About the French Order of Arts and Letters
According to the website of the French Ministry of Culture, the Order of Arts and Letters “is intended to reward people who have distinguished themselves by their creations in the artistic or literary field or by the contribution they have made to the influence of the Arts and Letters in France and in the world”. The three grades are knight, officer and commander.
