To even try to explain the emotions I get when Fally starts singing is like trying to explain how falling in love feels like. Everybody has their own way of explaining it, and it happens differently each time.
I love music. I listen to all genres and artists from all over the world. I get easily stuck on sounds that are different and have a feeling of effort – a feeling that someone took their time; really put their feelings and hard work into making the music.
Those sounds stay with me and haunt me until I have to listen to the song. Most of the artists that haunt me like that are Cameroon’ Manu Dibango, Ivory Coast’ Magic System, Senegalese Youssou N’dour, Benin’ Angelique Kidjo and Burundi’ Khadja Nin. AND that is how Fally Ipupa caught me… I heard a tune that forever haunts me and I have to listen to it every week like medication for a disease no-one can explain. I can’t even try to put into words how besotted I am about this man and his music.
I heard the tunes Associé and Attante, from his debut album Droit Chemin, in 2007.The sound and rhythm of the song just made me keep playing it over and over and over again to this day. I, eventually, got the full album and fell in love with the execution of the songs, the voice, the melody..EVERYTHING was perfect. The backup singers who in most Congolese artist’s albums scream the songs actually sang and followed rhythm in his album. No-one seemed to be straining their voice to keep up with Fally’s soothing voice. None of the songs had noisy people trying to sing, it feels good to listen to the songs.
The album Droit Chemin was released in 2006 with hits such as the title song; Droit Chemin featuring Krys, Liputa, Attante, Associe and Prince de Southfolk featuring Modogo. The songs are about the trials and tribulations of love –The relations between men and women; what they do and call Love, the ways love is baffling, needs nurturing, how it is abused and taken for granted.
It took three years for him to bring out his latest album, Arsenal de Belle Melodies. (Shortened A2BM). It was released a month or so ago and is already a hot number. He has not disappointed. The songs charm you to play them over and over again; especially Travelling Love, Tscho, Une Minute, Cadenas and Chaise Electrique featuring Olivia from G-Unit… the dance songs such as Bicarbonate and Sexy Dance featuring Krys are huge hits in the clubs of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Samples of the songs are on this site http://www.imeem.com/africahit/playlist/sPaqy77s/fally-ipupa-arsenal-de-belles-melodies-music-playlist/
I really do not have much info on this young marvel because I have a language barrier – he speaks and sings in French and Lingala. He started his career in Bandal,a part in Kinshasa, DRC. He then became part of Koffi Olomide’s band Quartier Latin, but fast became a popular lead member writing and singing songs such as Koko ko. He is married to a woman he calls ‘Nana Ketchup’ and she has a store in Bandal, Nana Ketchup Terrace. The shop is featured a lot in his new videos for the new albums.
I had the pleasure of making a dream of mine come true on the 7th august 2009 when I attended and met him at his first concert to promote his new album in Kinshasa. It was a wonderful experience for me to see him perform the songs beautifully with a full live band and hear the tune that got me hooked, Associe, being sang. AND IT is a travesty to me that he has not been identified and awarded a Channel O Video Award, and his songs are not on the playlist too.
For a taste and sight of this talented young man, check the below videos on youtube…
Electrique Chaise With Olivia
Associe
Attante
Prince de Southfolk with Modogo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwBgBLcJFA8&feature=related
3 Comments
Only TVSA members can reply to this thread. Click here to login or register.