I am probably a very sporadic blogger and only blog when I find interest in what I write... and lately, one of my biggest interest has been to study the way musician, dancer and songwriter Fally Ipupa demarcates himself from other Congolese musicians.
Since his breakthrough solo album, droit chemin (righteous path, or literally the right road) in 2006 he has internationalised the local, lengthy and sometimes exhausting Congolese beat and musical style. We passed from the 12 minutes long track to the more acceptable 3'30" or 4 minutes track that people around the world tolerate.
He also understood the importance of educating himself and his music. It may seem a bit strange but he, actually, has made something that has long been forgotten in the Congolese musical landscape. The value that he has given to collaboration has seen him work with numerous famous international names. In his latest album "Tokooos" that was released on July the 7th, he has scored big in featuring R. Kelly in Nidja. (click here to download the song)
This is a typical Congolese sound characterised by slow tempo and a certain melancholy. we call it "Rumba" and the guitar is the master instrument in this genre. It is not the usual style that R. Kelly has made us familiar with, even when he sings gospels. But it all sings love anyway; I would not go into deciphering the song as just listening to it should be enough to consider the progress Fally Ipupa has made into internationalising his music and opening the door to a certain diversity as to the Congolese typical musical genre.
You will find some very interesting local sounds like Eloko oyo here; Yakuza ft Wizkid, a song I also like as it sounds more like the current trendy Nigerian music with a touch of Congolese seduction and depth (listen to it here).
We now can only wait for the video clip.
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