Percy Yip Tong, an artistic director, producer and manager from Mauritius island, currently working as
Cultural Expert for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region, has been honored as one of the inductees of the year in the Transglobal World Music Hall of Fame. He received recognition in the prestigious “Professional Excellence” category. This international accolade celebrates artistic and professional achievements, reaffirming its commitment to preserving and promoting musical traditions worldwide. This is a proud moment for Mauritius as well.
By inducting Percy Yip Tong, a dedicated advocate, performer at conferences, and artistic director for groups in Ghana and Somalia, the Transglobal World Music Hall of Fame acknowledges his significant contributions to the creation and promotion of artistic projects that resonate far beyond the borders of Mauritius. He was also the first to produce the late seggaeman Kaya, Joseph Reginald Topize, who tragically passed away in a cell in Alcatraz in February 1999.
Percy has devoted his efforts to the promotion of artists based in Mauritius and the neighboring Islands of the South-West Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Reunion, Mayotte and Rodrigues). And since 2012, Percy started producing and managing bands from the African continent.
In an emotional response, Percy Yip Tong expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of this recognition for “nou ti zil.” He remarked, “This is a totally unexpected surprise. Being included in the Hall of Fame of World Music is an acknowledgment from music professionals worldwide, and I hope it will lend credibility to my efforts with the Mauritian authorities to finally establish a cultural center in Mauritius, 56 years after Independence.”
The Transglobal World Music Chart (TWMC), established in 2015, connects a global network of music critics dedicated to promoting traditional and world music roots. The TWMC produces monthly album rankings based on quality and also compiles end-of-year lists, recognizing outstanding productions from around the world, including self-releases and small label outputs.
The “Professional Excellence” award, shared with esteemed organizations like Muziek-publique and notable personalities such as Simon Broughton, pays tribute to Percy Yip Tong’s vital role in advancing the recognition of world music and its transmission. This award provides unprecedented visibility for Mauritius, positioning the island prominently on the global map of cultural and artistic initiatives.