This is Volume 6 of the Mauri Yambo Blog's series of #LingalaPop music. The point has been made in Volumes 1 and 2 that certain Congolese music productions have all the features -- and effects on audience (or fan) sensibilities -- which are typically associated with, or seen in, pop music as broadly understood. The hashtag given above groups and highlights what I consider to be stand-out examples of that kind of music.
As previously indicated, Lingala features in that hashtag in order to give due respect to that expansive lingua franca of the Greater Congo, which serves (in word and/or tone) as the base for the songs referenced here. Most of the songs under the hashtag are sung by Congolese nationals at home or in the diaspora -- but, interestingly, not all. In Volume 3, for example, two Kenyan Queens (Victoria Kimani and Akothee) featured in two separate songs in a full-throttle sort of way.
Nor is Lingala the language that Congolese artistes, or those that they sing with, invariably use in the included songs. In Tucheze, Ferre Gola sang a considerable chunk of the lyrics in 'heavy-accent' but recognizable Swahili, while VK sang her part almost entirely in English. Lingala joined them at the hip in terms of both tone and the flow (the synchronized flow) of body texts.
Nigerian artiste J. Martins appears with Ferre Gola in Ekelebe, in Volume 4, with enough gravitational force to influence FG's celestial orbit. The same FG who in that piece sings not, shall I say, in lyrical Lingala but in bemusing English. Still, Lingala's tonal influence on both proceedings is not escaped, in whatever charming mix we may come upon the ingredients.
Volume 5, like the earlier four, showcases 10 video (or audio) clips which exemplify #LingalaPop. Indeed, I think that the songs are among the leading ones. Here, too, not everything is pure Lingala. Barbara Kanam, for example, finely weaves her song, Reste, out of three language strands: French, Swahili and Lingala. She's as good in each just as she, herself, is. And Enemy Solo is sung in a 'volatile' mix of funky Lingala and lyrical 'pidgin' (that's English) by an irrepressible Awilo Longomba and super-charged P-Square!
In the present volume, Volume 6, Linah (who is Tanzanian) and Christian Bella (Congolese) team up to deliver an exceptionally tuneful and colourful song: Hellow. Linah sings almost entirely in Swahili. The song as a whole is sung mostly in Swahili as well. However, Christian Bella renders his portion of the 'purely' Swahili lyrics in a decidedly Lingala accent. Arguably, this tilts the overall weight of the song's tonality in favour of Lingala, Christian Bella having already 'state captured' a significant portion of Lina's intonation in the first half of the song.
In Olla as well, Christian Bella sings in Swahili with the same Lingala accent. One should expect the same result, but Khaligraph Jones, the Kenyan Rapper King, blends, and so tempers, all that with his signature "stream of Consciousness" rapping style. And yet the Lingala imprimatur doesn't lose enough force to disappear. This is a win-win, in the end. We can declare a similar result in Nagharamia (sung by Tanzania's Alikiba and Christian Bella). Alikiba succeeds in creating a context in which Swahili (infused in a subtle and measured fashion with Taarab 'elements') cedes as much ground as it gains from Christian Bella's Lingala.
My growing selection of #LingalaPop titles includes a significant number about which I have made 'substantive' comments already or, alternatively, ranked in #TheYamboSelection series -- over the stretch of a few years. And I have restricted my commentary essentially to songs that have "reached my ears" in one way or another -- or, let's say it, via smart algorithms. It has not been a total scouring of the Great Lakes and Rivers (etc) universe -- which would have been an exercise in futility for one man.
The urge to share exemplary or exciting 'finds' on a particular list (scheduled or not) may prompt -- indeed already has (in #TheYamboSelection series), and in some instances perhaps should -- the publication of the list before the narratives related to particular titles are ready for release, or even 'fully' drafted. The fact is that there's just so much music being produced these days -- and increasingly "all over". The urge to share must keep reasonable pace with the volume and accelerating velocity of creative productions.
The lister's and commentator's work is never done, experience teaches! Such comments as I have already made are available on this blog, but the links I give below take you only to the clips associated with the songs listed in Volume 6. Links to any comments that I will make in the days ahead about particular titles on the list below will be added to an updated version of this post as soon as those comments are ready to share.
The songs appearing below are not arranged in any particular order of rank. I really love all of them, and think you will do so too. Let me also add that the 'burst' of incoming evidence that I have encountered as I have continued with my (re)search on songs that deserve inclusion means, alas/happily, that even Volume 6 will not be the last. There's going to be a Volume 7.
About the video/audio clips included in Volume 6:
Click (you may have to Right Click) the song of your choice on the list below, and then (if you have Right Clicked) choose the "Open link in new tab" option in order to watch or listen to the clip.
1. Hellow by Linah ft. Christian Bella (2015)
2. Dance 4 Me Remix by J.Martins ft. Koffi Olomide (2015)
3. Kibombanda by Ferre Gola (2014)
4. Service by Fally Ipupa (2013)
5. Nagharamia by Alikiba x Christian Bella (2015)
6. Muzangila by Mbilia Bel (2017)
7. Bolingo by Makoma (2012)
8. Olla by Christian Bella ft. Khaligraph Jones (2017)
9. Cobetox by Koffi Olomide ft. Ferre Gola (2016)
10. Alidor by Koffi Olomide (2017)
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Find below links to previous Volumes ~ 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5:
1. LingalaPop, Volume 1
2. LingalaPop, Volume 2
3. LingalaPop, Volume 3
4. LingalaPop, Volume 4
6. Lingala Pop, Volume 5
This is Volume 4 of this blog's series of #LingalaPop music. The point has been made in Volumes 1 and 2 that certain Congolese music productions have all the features -- and effects on audience (or fan) sensibilities -- which are typically associated with or seen in pop music, as broadly understood. I have even grouped what I consider to be stand-out examples of that kind of Congolese music under the hashtag given above.
As previously pointed out, I have included Lingala in that hashtag in order to give due respect to that expansive lingua franca of the Greater Congo, which serves (in word and/or tone) as the base for the songs referenced here. Most of the songs are sung by Congolese nationals at home or in the diaspora -- but, interestingly, not all. In Volume 3, for example, two Kenyan Queens (Victoria Kimani and Akothee) featured in a full-throttle sort of way.
Nor is Lingala the language that Congolese artistes, or those that they sing with, invariably use in the included songs. In Tucheze, Ferre Gola sang a considerable chunk of the lyrics in 'heavy-accent' but recognizable Swahili, while VK sang her part almost entirely in English. Nigerian artiste J. Martins appears with Ferre Gola in Ekelebe, in Volume 4, with enough gravitational force to influence FG's celestial orbit. The same FG who sings, shall I say, not in lyrical Lingala but bemusing English. Still, Lingala's tonal influence on both proceedings is not escaped, in whatever charming mix we may come upon the ingredients.
Volume 4, like the previous three, showcases 10 video (or audio) clips which on good grounds qualify to be labelled, and which therefore exemplify, #LingalaPop. Indeed, I think that the songs are the leading ones in that genre. Perhaps I should say: among the leading ones.
My selection of #LingalaPop titles so far published has also been been mostly restricted to those about which I have made 'substantive' comments already (or have ranked in #TheYamboSelection series) -- over the stretch of a few years. And I have restricted my commentary essentially to songs that have "reached my ears" in one way or another.
But the urge to share exemplary or exciting 'finds' on a particular list (scheduled or not) may prompt -- indeed already has (in #TheYamboSelection series), and in some instances perhaps should -- the publication of the list before the narratives related to particular titles are ready for release, or even 'fully' drafted. The fact is that there's just so much music being produced these days -- and increasingly "all over".
It would unduly lengthen the intervals between particular volumes in the series and, what's more, overwhelm any one commentator to endeavour to say something meaningful about each "drop", so to speak -- or even about "many enough" -- in any kind of timely fashion. That is, despite the fact that one's timing on one's blog is 'entirely' one's own. The lister's work is never done, experience teaches! Such comments as I have already made are available on this blog, and I give below the link associated with each listed song. Those that are not yet made will, hopefully in the main, follow.
The songs listed below are not arranged in any particular order of rank. I really love all of them, and think you will do so too. Let me also add that the 'burst' of incoming evidence that I have encountered as I have continued with my (re)search on songs that deserve inclusion means, alas/happily, that even Volume 4 will not be the last. There's going to be a Volume 5 -- and perhaps a 6.
About the video/audio clips included in Volume 3:
You may have to Right Click the song of your choice on the list below, and then choose the "Open link in a new tab" option in order to watch or listen to the clip.
1. Billi by Kanda Bongo Man (2014)
2. Ekelebe by J. Martins ft. Ferre Gola (2016)
3. Napesi by Makoma (1999, 2012)
4. Porte Monnaie by Ferre Gola ft. Gout (2011)
5. La Beaute d'un Femme by Mbilia Bel (2017)
6. Robot by Koffi Olomide (2010, 2017)
7. Etoula by Diblo Dibala ft. Loketo (2017)
8. Perdue de Vue - Espelisa by Yondo Sister (2013, 2017)
9. Magastar by Heritier Watanabe (2018)
10. La Femme et L'argent by Diblo Dibala (2016)
Find below links to previous Volumes ~ 1, 2 and 3:
1. LingalaPop, Volume 1
2. LingalaPop, Volume 2
3. LingalaPop, Volume 3
In Porte Monnaie, Ferre Golla (feat Gout) gives us a fine and truly refined gift of a song. It's polished visually -- very polished -- and even more aurally. The whole clip is, indeed, varnished by its very own soulful soundness, if one may say so.
A bit of rap is in the background, and hard to miss. It garnishes the whole affair -- in which we are, all, awed spectators. The lyrics have a poetic charm, even when the tempo alters -- indeed, at their command. The band, as almost always invisible, lets its presence known -- all the way and wonderfully so. Everything seems effortlessly in place -- a smoothly shape-shifting place. It's all well blended in.
The song's gross length -- 8:55 minutes of our progressively value-added time -- allows for savory vibes to surround and sink in and really have their intended and well-calculated and/or serendipitous effects on our sensibilities. Without uttering a word, the video clip's leading girl communicates with the entranced audience with (shall I say it?) her subtle body texts and subtexts -- fronted by her siren's eyes.
The beat and the rhythm in Porte Monnaie will, I suspect, prompt a spontaneous swaying and swinging among the willing. This is pure #LingalaPop. It's an inexhaustible feast, from an artiste who is yet to be given his due attention by a continent-wide fan-base that's, really, still gelling. To say that, however, is not to lose sight of the fact that the song already has, to-date, more than 3.2 million YouTube views.
Click here to view the song's video
An amazing play of the guitar -- cheerful and optimistic -- dominates the last two minutes of this inspired song, from 6:55 to practically the very last second. It's all by design, and a delight that lingers.
This is Volume 3 of this blog's series of #LingalaPop music. The point has been made in Volumes 1 and 2 that certain Congolese music productions have all the features -- and effects on audience (or fan) sensibilities -- which are typically associated with or seen in pop music, as broadly understood. I have even grouped what I consider to be stand-out examples of that kind of Congolese music under the hashtag given above.
I have included Lingala in that hashtag in order to give due respect to that expansive lingua franca of the Greater Congo, which serves (in word and/or tone) as the base for the songs referenced here. Most of the songs are sung by Congolese nationals at home or in the diaspora -- but, interestingly, not all. Nor is Lingala the language that they, or those that they sing with, invariably use in the included songs. But its influence is not escaped in whatever charming mix we may come upon.
Volume 3, like the previous two, showcases 10 video (or audio) clips which on good grounds qualify to be labelled, and which therefore exemplify, #LingalaPop. Indeed, I think that the songs are the leading ones in that genre. Perhaps I should say: among the leading ones.
I confess that my selection of #LingalaPop titles so far published has also been restricted to those about which I have made 'substantive' comments already (or have ranked in #TheYamboSelection) -- over the stretch of a few years. And I have restricted my commentary essentially to songs that have "reached my ears" in one way or another.
But the urge to share exemplary or exciting 'finds' on a particular list (scheduled or not) may prompt -- indeed already has (in #TheYamboSelection series), and in some instances perhaps should -- the publication of the list before the narratives related to particular titles are ready for release. The fact is that there's just so much music being produced these days -- and increasingly "all over". It would overwhelm any one commentator to say something meaningful about each "drop", so to speak -- or even about "many enough" in any kind of timely fashion. Luckily, my timing on this blog is my own.
Such comments as I have already made are available on this blog, and I give below the link associated with each listed song. Those that are not yet made will follow. The songs are not arranged in any particular order of rank. I really love all of them, and think you will do so too. Let me also add that the 'burst' of incoming evidence that I have encountered as I have continued with my (re)search on songs that deserve inclusion means, alas/happily, that Volume 3 will not be the last. There's going to be a Volume 4 -- and perhaps a 5.
About the video/audio clips included in Volume 3:
You may have to Right Click the song of your choice on the list below, and then choose the "Open link in a new tab" option in order to watch or listen to the clip
1. Mongali by Tabu Ley ft. Afrisa International (c. 1969?)
2. Bad Boy by Fally Ipupa x Aya Nakamura (2017)
3. Djarabi by Barbara Kanam (2010)
4. Mobimba by P Unit ft. Alicios (2013)
5. Bougerle by Akothee ft. Sarkozy (2015)
6. Tucheze by Victoria Kimani ft. Ferre Gola (2016)
7. Les Z'on dit by Mbilia Bell (2017)
8. Congo by Koffi Olomide ft. Cindy le Coeur (2010)
9. Lisanga ya Bambanda by Mbilia Bell (2017)
10. Coupe Bibamba by Awilo Longomba [Here's a Live Show version at an event in 1998]
As mentioned in Volume 1 of this series, I have on occasion made the case on this blog and in my tweets (@MauriYambo) that certain Congolese music productions have all the features -- and, I should add now, effects on audience (or fan) sensibilities -- which are typically associate with or seen in pop music, as broadly understood. I have even grouped that kind of Congolese music under a hashtag: #LingalaPop. I have done so, essentially, in order to keep faith with that expansive lingua franca we know as Lingala -- and which serves as the base for all the songs referenced here.
You will find listed below the next volume (Volume 2) of 10 songs which qualify to be labelled as such. A third, and very likely the last, volume of 10 video (or audio) clips will follow. I think that the songs are the leading ones. Perhaps I should say: among the leading ones.
I confess that my selection has also been restricted to songs about which I have made 'substantive' comments already (or have ranked in #TheYamboSelection) -- over the stretch of a few years. I try to restrict my commentary essentially to songs that have "reached my ears" in one way or another, and that I consider superior. But exceptions do occur. The fact is that there's just so much music being produced -- increasingly, "all over". It would overwhelm any one commentator to say something meaningful about each "drop", so to speak -- or even about many enough.
The comments that I have made are already available on this blog, and I give below the link associated with each listed song. The songs are not arranged in any particular order of rank. I really love all of them, and think you will do so too. Here they are:
[Note: You may have to Right Click the song of your choice on the list below, and then choose the "Open link in a new tab" option in order to watch or listen to the clip]
1. Makolo ya Massiya by Carlyto Lassa
2. Elengi ya Mbongo by Innoss'B ft. Koffi Olomide
3. Amour en Or by Claudia Bakisa ft. Fabregas Metis Noir
4. Cha Cha by Innoss'B
5. To Dondwa by Fally Ipupa ft. Fvicteam (Christy Lova, Boogie Black, Anita Mwarabu, Shesko Lemeraude and Master Virus)
6. Bolingo Mabe by Innoss'B ft. Anita Mwarabu
7. Fiko Fiko Fion by Claudia Bakissa ft. Koffi Olomide
8. Esopi Yo by Awilo Longomba ft. Tiwa Savage
9. Posa ya Bolingo by Alicios
10. Mannequin by Fally Ipupa ft. Keblack x Naza
I have written severally in the past about Congolese music, sung mostly in Lingala but quite frequently interspersed with French -- and often in Swahili as well. And I have on occasion made the case on this blog and in my tweets (@MauriYambo) for a music genre -- and more specifically certain 'instantiations' of Congolese music -- which I see as having all the features of pop music as broadly understood. I have even given the genre a hashtag: #LingalaPop. So there you are.
I wish now to bring together the songs which qualify to be labelled as such. I will do so in at least three volumes of 10 video (or audio) clips each. This is the first volume. I think that the listed songs are the leading songs, but I stand to be corrected.
I confess that my selection has also been restricted to songs about which I have made 'substantive' comments already (or have ranked in #TheYamboSelection) -- over the stretch of a few years. Those comments are already available on this blog, and I give below the link to each. They are not arranged here in any particular order of rank, however. I really love all the songs, and think you will do so too. Here they are, then:
[Note: You may have to Right Click the song of your choice on the list below, and then choose the "Open link in a new window" option in order to watch or listen to the clip]
1. Karolina by Awilo Longomba
2. Cache Cache by Awilo Longomba
3. Echantillon ya Pamba by Nico Kassanda
4. Yolanda by Kanda Bongo Man
5. Tembe na Tembe by Bozi Boziana
6. Independence Cha Cha by Le Grand Kalle
7. Non by Franco
8. Christina by Tabu Ley
9. Ndaya by Mpongo Love
10. Muchana by Kanda Bongo Man
A street-dance for two, and only two, is what we come upon in this secluded place, in the sun's final rays of the day. "Graceful Pair Locked in a Twilight Street-Dance", is how I would title the funky rumba -- Soukous, if you want, or #LingalaPop -- that we're all witness to; this flawless art-in-motion act, in which the dancers, oblivious of everything else, are verily birds of a feather.
Willowy Claudia Bakita, aka Black Belt, takes center-stage and figure dances her heart out in this lovers' bond, for sure. Her fine bearing and feline steps draw all, nearly all, the attention -- into her golden bosom. "Nakupenda sana" (= I love you so much), she declares -- as if in every direction. Who would blame anyone? Her sultry voice charms every man, and everyone, bewitched, will take it personally.
But it is Fabregas. It is he, her companion on that street (in this iconic video) -- and he alone -- who's the reason we have true rumba here and, what is more, all the insinuations of love that fill the calm air in this laid-back and unobtrusive neighborhood. In those final moments of a perpetual saga in which Yin eases Yang, gently, into a dark room, it is he! Wololo!
"Emama wololo
Emama wololo
Emama wololo".
Click to watch the video
