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TRIBUTE: The historian Lascony NySymb celebrates Manu Dibango.

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BREATHLESS: In memory of Manu Dibango: 1933-2020). The COLPORTERS of bad news can congratulate themselves on having anticipated the collapse of a GREAT monument. By dint of announcing the rain. DELUGE has arrived. Go fuck yourself. Thus begins my tribute to Dean MANU DIBANGO, because we do not joke with people’s lives, especially in times of illness. Who is eternal?

Friday, December 27, 2019 in the early afternoon, a giant sneaked into the church of Villeneuve Saint-Georges to say goodbye to one of his spiritual sons. I was sitting opposite, my son was on the altar with old African-American friends to pay tribute to the Cameroonian saxophonist KING BLAISE whom the dean MANU saw born and grow. The latter had just arrived from CAMEROON. Despite his age (86) and the fatigue of the trip, he wanted to be there.

At the end of the REQUIEM, we were all gathered in front of the church awaiting the departure of the hearse. Dean MANU DIBANGO approached us to greet us and congratulate my son. A BLOWER cannot resist the sound of another BLOWER. But no one had yet realized who was before them because of its simplicity. “This is the legendary MANU DIBANGO”. Everyone was amazed, because it was up to US to go and greet the dean. It was an opportunity to ask him for his personal telephone number in order to go interview him as part of a documentary film project on jazz. Dean MANU DIBANGO seemed to have no cell phone like me. He asked his biological son M. to give me his contact. I let a month pass by modesty before making an appointment with the dean. But the PROTOCOL prevented me from boxing the HUGE music library that was MANU DIBANGO.

How important was such an interview? Aside from being an EXCELLENT saxophonist, MANU DIBANGO mastered other instruments such as the MARIMBA, the VIBRAPHONE and the PIANO. It was he who accompanied the very late Congolese bolerist FRANKLIN BOUKAKA in his legendary album “LE BUCHERON”. He was also the arranger.

MANU DIBANGO was certainly the best person to talk about CONGOLESE music, he was born in DOUALA. He participated in the recording of the anthem of independence of the R.D.C “INDEPENDANCE CHACHA” by JOSEPH KABASELE, another African musical legend.

But it was at RONNIE SCOTT, the legendary London jazz club, that the dean MANU DIBANGO killed me while interpreting “MORNING GLORY”, a very little known stroll by maestro DUKE ELLINGTON in summer 2001. His musical repertoire was as broad as his smile. ELLINGTONIAN at heart, he often happened to quote “THINGS AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE” while playing Makossa.
The final bouquet may have taken place at UNESCO at the end of APARTHEID when he joined SOWETO STRING QUARTET on stage to perform “NKOSI SIKELELE AFRICA”. It was EXTASE. I will try to console myself.

CAMEROUN, his native country, is said to be AFRICA IN MINIATURE. Without wanting to offend my fellow Cameroonians, I allow myself to correct that it was MANU DIBANGO who really embodied this AFRICA IN MINIATURE.

Former musical director of the orchestra of RADIO TELEVISION NATIONALE IVOIRIENNE, companion of the legendary FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI to whom he paid a beautiful tribute in “BIG BLOW”, by RAY LEMA, MORI KANTE, MIRIAM MAKEBA, HUGH MASEKELA, PAPA WEMBA. …

Before CORONAVIRUS, people would die. CAUSE and REASON matter little. Only DESTINY can explain DEATH.

My dear DOYEN, I haven’t been able to breathe for a long time. Your DEATH made me breathless. In this period of justified confinement, I did not find better than these verses of ALFRED DE MUSSET to say goodbye to you: “… MAKE A RECENT DEATH AN OLD NEW. SOME NAME ELSEWHERE THAN THE REGRET THE MAN IS CALLED, FROM ALL COUNTRIES, QUICKLY ENOUGH “.

Eternal regrets from my place of containment. RIP.
NGOMBULU YA SANGUI YA MINA BANTU LASCONY

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CULTURE

Aly Moulady, a precursor of Congolese afro-urban, is back

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The Congo is the land of Ndombolo, Bachengué, but especially rumba. Aly Moulady is the one who gave a new twist to Congolese music. With what will become the “Rumba RnB”, Moulady has opened a gap in the soil of Congolese music. Today, thousands of young artists continue to emerge from this melting pot.

Aly Moulady, the master of afro-urban is back
Aly Moulady first entered the Congolese music scene in 1996 and has been making his mark ever since. Still a young student in Ivry-sur-Seine, he arrives with a 10-track album that will shake up the standards of Rumba accepted until then. In this timeless opus combining rumba, RnB, rap and toast from Jamaica, he revolutionizes the music scene by creating the “Rumba RnB” a unique and visionary style.

An immense discography
With iconic titles such as “Pona Yo Mama”, “To all the world’s friends” or “Bilelo”, the album “Sérénade” still remains in bars in Congo-Brazzaville today. This album, a sound sheet, will earn him several awards, including the title of “Musical Revelation of the Year” in 1997, the “Tam Tam d’Or” for best artist in 2009, and an “Honorary Award” in 2012, which recognizes his entire artistic career. With the rich discography of “Sérénade” (1996), “Eldorado (2002)”, “Bouge!” (2005) and “Maxi Bonheur” (2010), Aly Moulady has produced numerous singles such as “Petit Cœur” (2021), “Mama” (2022) and “Motema” (2023). Far from sleeping, he returned with the single “Éphéméride”, prelude to his new album entitled “Sur mesure” scheduled for 2025. As he never does anything in lace, we are sure that this album will be heavy.

Aly Moulady

Moulady, an artist with a big heart
In 2010, Aly Moulady created Villa 203, an art space and label located in Pointe-Noire. In partnership with singer Elsa Fila, he accompanies young talent in various artistic fields such as music, dance, painting and poetry. Thanks to their recording studio, these artists benefit from productions according to international standards. His actions in the music scene contribute to strengthening Congolese artistic excellence around the world. Aly Moulady has travelled around the world. From Poitiers to Gant, through Northampton and Marburg, he captivated the crowds with memorable performances, such as at the festivals Confort Moderne (2004) and Les Expressifs (2005). He shares an extremely strong and deep bond with his audience on each of his tours.

Pioneer of the Congolese Afro-urban
Aly Moulady, returning with “Sur Mesure”, has only one idea: to regain the place he left vacant; to regain his place among his audience. True to its trademark, this new album promises to be on the music scene for several years. Aly Moulady, a pioneer of the afro-urban, is back to make his talent shine on the Congolese scene and beyond.

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CULTURE

DR CONGO – Tatiana Kruz: The Rising Star of Congolese Music

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Tatiana Kruz, born on 10 June 1995 in Kinshasa, is now an iconic figure on the Congolese music scene. From a young age, she has been rocked by music, a passion that accompanies her throughout her youth spent in Lubumbashi. In 2009, she returned to Kinshasa with a clear ambition: to devote herself entirely to music, and more particularly to the Congolese rumba, a genre that is an integral part of the cultural identity of the country.

From the beginning, Tatiana Kruz has been known for her collaborations with renowned artists such as Fally Ipupa, Karmapa and Tshala Muana. These collaborations allow her to quickly make a name for herself on the Congolese music scene and establish herself as an essential artist.

In 2016, Tatiana took a new step in her career by releasing her first album, “Target”. This project, which has been an immediate success, is the starting point for a series of singles that consolidate its reputation and seduce an ever-wider audience.

Tatiana Kruz

The consecration comes in 2018 when she is named Democratic Republic of the Congo’s revelation of the year. His emotional rendition of “Salela Nga Bikamwa”, a tribute to the late gospel singer Marie Misamu, deeply touches the public and critics, reinforcing his status as an artist to follow.

Today, with a unique style that blends tradition and modernity, Tatiana Kruz aspires to expand its audience. His new EP “Piñata”, mainly francophone, testifies to this desire for expansion. With this project, she hopes to conquer new horizons while remaining faithful to her Congolese musical roots.

In short, Tatiana Kruz embodies a new generation of Congolese artists, passionate and daring, who carry the colors of their culture high while opening themselves to international influences. His career is on the rise and he has a promising future on the world music scene.

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Phenomenon named Mouhamed VJ causes heat to rise in the Cigale

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On Friday, January 10, to close the week in style, we went to la Cigale to attend an exceptional concert. On the screen: the young prodigy code breaker and style inventor, who is a genius in his field: Mouhamed VJ broke the dam at La Cigale.

VJ, a Welsh rap phenomenon
VJ, it’s only 20 years. But don’t trust his young age. As a French writer once said, “The value does not wait for the number of years.” This quote fits him perfectly. On YouTube, his videos have nearly 100 million views. As for the streams, it is better not to talk about them to avoid offending anyone. Friday night in Paris, VJ performed for the first time at the mythical Cigale. And yet, to see him so comfortable on stage, one could think that he is a regular in the big halls. Full-length jogging, backpack, microphone on the lip: VJ took his audience in a galaxy of flows and vibes. Each note, both delicate and powerful, composes a captivating musical fresco. A performance that enchanted not only the ears, but also the hearts. Guest stars were on the stage: Warren, Jungeli or Seydouche.

Mouhamed VJ

An early artist
Mouhamed Abdoulaye Preira, aka VJ, was born in the early 2000s in the Medina district of Dakar. Divided between rap and football during his childhood, he eventually chose rap. At only 13, he is already a small celebrity in the Bopp neighbourhood. His first single, «Dans tes bras», is a hit. At 17, he charmed the public and quickly built up a solid fanbase, thanks in particular to his strong presence on social networks. So much so that he organized his first concert with only a few tracks to his credit.

From Hoside to Warner
VJ made his debut in the music industry by collaborating with Hoside to maintain its growing popularity. In 2022, he released an EP entitled «En Vrai», which his fans consider a real album. This EP gives rise to a series of shows throughout Senegal: the Esplanade du Grand Théâtre de Dakar, the Canal Olympia and the Esplanade du Musée des Civilisations Noires, among others. Eager to broaden his horizons, VJ then signs with the label Rec 118 of Warner Music, in partnership with Hoside and BLZ.

A Friday night incandescent
At 7 pm, the Cigale opens its doors which gives rise to a flood of fans who came to enjoy the performance of this 20 year old prodigy. Recognized for his scenic energy, VJ delivered a masterful performance worthy of an artist with several years of career behind him. This Friday night, he proved that he is much more than a rising star: he is an essential figure on the music scene, an artist on whom we will have to rely from now on.

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