Baobab, a French reggae group formed in 1992 in the Parisian suburbs, emerged from the creative collaboration of Ouafi Djakliou on saxophone, William Jarry on percussion, Manuel Merlot on vocals, and Benoît Tranle on guitar, bass, and keyboards. The group’s early activity included the release of the album Reggae Social Club in 2001, followed by Naturel in 1999, and 8 heures par jour on 30 November 2005. Naturel features the track "Naturelle", which originates from that 1999 release. Their work gained recognition when they were nominated for the Victoires de la Musique in 2002 in the reggae/ragga category. Throughout the early 2000s, Baobab performed across France, collaborating with local reggae artists and participating in regional tours that reinforced their presence in the world-music scene. The group maintained a steady output of singles and contributed to various reggae compilations. While no chart positions are recorded, the nomination at the Victoires de la Musique and the continued production of albums demonstrate the group’s sustained influence within the French reggae community.
