Ivorian singer Essy, formerly known as Josée De Latour, is mourning the loss of her father, who passed away on the afternoon of Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Ivory Coast.
The artist, now known simply as Essy, has been struck by tragedy. The news of her father’s death prompted an outpouring of support from fans, fellow artists, and loved ones.
From Josée De Latour to Essy
This difficult moment comes as Essy continues to make headlines following a major shift in her musical career. The singer recently changed her stage name, leaving behind “Josée De Latour” in favor of “Essy.”
It’s a deliberate and thoughtful decision, as she explained during an appearance on the show Week-end Carrefour. Contrary to speculation, the name change had nothing to do with fellow singer Josey or her former close friend Daysie, who had merely suggested different spellings of “De Latour.”
“I didn’t change my name because of Josey or Daysie Frangine. Daysie only made suggestions about the spelling of ‘De Latour,’ which I didn’t even keep. I made the change because ‘De Latour’ sounded too Western. Whereas Essy, my Ebrié name, is also used in other regions of Ivory Coast. It feels more Ivorian, even African, since the name exists in other countries like Benin,” she explained.
Through this transformation, Essy seeks to reconnect her art with her roots and give it a broader, more authentic resonance grounded in her African identity.