Amour Assassin...

In the DRC music industry it is not uncommon these days for a song writer to sell his song to more than one singer /producer who usually then puts his own spin on it and releases it.  Most times when this happens whoever the bigger star is who is singing the song will get the most recognition for it.

Today we will look at the song Amour Assassin. This song has been released on Fally Ipupa's latest opus "Power Kosa Leka" but Ferre Gola's vocalist Jus d'Orange recorded and released a video for it just weeks before PKL was released. I actually like both versions very much.  Fally's version is better produced over all with the production being more sleek and modern and the vocal arrangements more smooth while Jus d'Orange's version is more reminiscent of 'pure' rumba with the guitar arrangement taking center stage in the production yet it is less polished. They are both very good vocalists imo and the song is just very well written. You be the judge, which do you like best??

Jus d'Orange

Fally Ipupa

You can find the lyrics here: AMOUR ASSASSIN - CONGOKINLYRICS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Happy Independence Day, DRC/RDC!!

This year for Independence Day I share with you the movie Lumumba directed by Raoul Peck (read the blog entry I wrote about him and the movie Lumumba in 2007, HERE).  Enjoy and always remember the ancestors who fought for us and the freedom fighters who continue the work. Bless.

TRAILER OF THE MOVIE BY RAOUL PECK

CongoFest: Break The Silence

Next Saturday a big benefit concert called CongoFest: Break The Silence for the Democratic Republic of Congo will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 22nd. The line up looks great!!

Here's some information from Pittsburgh's cultural district website. Ticket information is also on the website.

"CONGOFEST: Break the Silence
a Humanitarian concert featuring PEPE FELLY MANUAKU WAKU, the creator of Congolese Pop Style

Afrika Yetu, with the Congolese Musicians of North America, present a stunning range of Congolese music, from traditional sounds of the Pygme forest to the more modern soukous music, with elements of rumba, samba, meringue and Congolese Styles of Afro-Jazz. CongoFest is a collaborating effort of Congolese musicians coming together for the first time for a melodic, rhythmic sound-filled concert of all Congolese styles to create awareness about the devastating war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. CongoFest’s musical potpourri is a treat for the eyes as well as ears when traditional dancers of WACONGO Dance Company and Patience Ibembo from Quartier Latin take stage and perform breathtaking movements of mutuashi, kwasa kwasa, soukous dance and more."

http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/38813/congofest-break-the-silence

New JB Mpiana, Ferre Gola & Tambour d'Afrique Tonight!

Here is a new rumba from JB Mpiana, from his upcoming Maxi-Single. The song "Zadio Kongolo" is dedicated to Mpiana's friend of the same name. The maxi single is being released especially for the wedding of Zadio and his bride Carole. 

Earlier this month Ferre Gola aslo released a wedding dedication to a couple named Etty & Flora. The song is simply named "Mariage"

Tune into Radio Triomphe tonight at 10pm for a new episode of Tambour d'Afrique, with Guy Angrand as your host!

Papa Wemba Pays Homage to Franco Luambo Makiadi

I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. Here is a video of Papa Wemba paying homage to Le Grande Maitre, Franco.

Fally Ipupa performs with Vodacom Best of the Best Finalists & the Winner is... José Hendrix Ndelo *SEE WHOLE EPISODE BELOW*

For those who are unaware the international cellphone company Vodacom holds singing competitions in various markets across the world. One of those markets is the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In all honesty I only recently discovered this American Idol-like show and the fact that the DRC has held this show for at least 3 years now, when I stumbled across a clip of Fally Ipupa performing with the finalists of the Vodacom Best of the Best competition yesterday.  All of the contestants did pretty well in the clip I saw, check it out:

*EDITED TO ADD FULL FINALE EPISODE OF VODACOM CONGO BEST OF THE BEST*

The winner of the competition is José Hendrix Ndelo.  I actually started following José about 5 years ago on Myspace & keep in touch with him on Facebook (you can look him up by name).  Very humble and down to earth, not to mention extremely talented.  He mixes a lot of different styles to create a vibrant sound and has a great voice to boot. We here at Tambour d'Afrique wish José the best in all of his endeavors; Sky's the limit!

Here's a 3 video clip from his last project EMBRACE THE EARTH:

KIANDO - A STAR FOR YOU - WHEN IT FEELS

Boite Noire

After announcing his 3rd solo album "Boite Noire" almost 3 years ago, Ferre Gola is finally set to release his opus in June.  Here is an excerpt from one of the rumbas on the album. Enjoy...