CULTURE
[MUSIC-IN] – Alpha Blondy, the Ivorian reggae star, takes over “STEWBALL”
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While rumours were circulating about the release of his new album, Alpha Blondy dropped a magnificent music video on his YouTube page on the evening of Friday, January 28, 2022… a cover of the song “Stewball” (1966) by the French singer Hugues Aufray. Just online the song recorded hundreds of thousands of “views” and “likes”, and hundreds of comments.
Alpha Blondy, a dying voice on a stainless tube
Decidedly! Nothing can resist the trunk of the reggae superstar Alpha Blondy. In this song, unforgettable food, warmed and put on the table of music lovers, the chef Alpha deploys, with the humility that characterizes the giants, an incredible vocal agility. We did not expect anything less from him. He whom his fans call “Jagger” knew how to keep the same stamp, the same authority… that we know him. He can sing in all the registers, grab the octaves at his ease, catch a divine note in flight. Where first-rate artists would have broken the voice, would have sung false, the reggae star has just achieved an incredible feat of strength by wearing new clothes this song that slept in the dust of time. Creating is art – within the reach of all artists. But, reshaping a masterpiece and keeping intact all the features that made it charming, it is called genius. It is a rather difficult challenge for artists-performers to pose their voices on tubes that have entered the memories with a certain accent, a certain note, a certain perfume,… We run the risk of doing too much or very little. In either case, this is not to the artist’s advantage. But there, Alpha, with his catchy voice, makes a stream of warm air run through the veins of this melancholy song. His fluid voice brings to this song a certain dramatic tension.
“Stewball”
A fairy and colorful clip
Location: Club de l’Etrier; an equestrian club in the heart of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in a listed forest. 1, 2, 3… Action! Sounds of galloping. Alpha appears all dressed in white: white cap and mount on the tip of the nose. A white stallion breaks the screen. A 10-year-old child (Jay Gagnon) is holding a horse. A beautiful woman (San Yoshida), in red dress, enters a paddock and performs magnificent dance steps with the beautiful aplomb of a thoroughbred who cavalcades, happy. In this clip of a primitive ingenuity, each actor plays his score wonderfully. A real performance. The actors are a photogenic charm to take your breath away. And then, a cinematic light, neat and dosed, which gives this clip the beauty of a Marvel movie. The images explain the metaphors of the song with great precision and highlight the music that accompanies the agile riders of this thoroughbred. In this clip saturated with melancholy germ, emotion, full of sentimental postillon, grips us with images, music, the voice of the artist… and puts our tear glands to the test.
I’ve been listening to this song for years—in audio, without music videos. Actually, since I was a child. But in front of this sensational clip, I was really moved. You can even hear my tears flapping on the screen of my phone. I’m not exaggerating anything. Go to the You Tube page, the detour is worth taking.
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CULTURE
SENEGAL – Jahman’s “eternal” and sumptuous song of inclusive love
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Jahman makes an acoustic shift with “Éternelle”, a music that pleasantly blends love and inclusion in harmony. The video, available on YouTube, is already a hit. Full of poetry, this song speaks to all sensibilities.
Eternal, more than love notes
Love is a timeless, stainless subject. This musical vein, overexploited by artists, can sometimes be boring to each other, and then, very often, we have the feeling of hearing continuous repetitions, like a long litany. Singing love may seem easy at first, but it is a risky venture. Jahman tried. And after listening to him, it is safe to say that he succeeded. “Eternal” reinvents the sentimental statement. He says differently what we have become accustomed to hearing so that it seems banal. This is not just a tribute to romantic love, but an ode to a timeless and universal feeling that firmly unites all souls – one with another. You have to listen to this song, not only because of its originality. There is a whole program; because in these notes, there is an artistic and social approach that is bold. Why? Or more precisely how? You’re going to say that back. Jahman, in this song, incorporates sign language into his clip. In doing so, he is paying a vibrant tribute to the deaf and mute community, but by this inclusive gesture, he is demonstrating his willingness to make his music, this music, a universal language, a bridge between hearts, Beyond physical or cultural barriers. “Love, the very essence of my message, needs no words to exist,” he said. “It could not be better said.
An artistic vision at the service of humanity
In this new “Eternal” opus – it’s feminine – Jahman talks about love, but he never falls for clichés. Since the beginning of his career, he has established himself as an original artist, a committed figure, a defender of freedom of expression and human values. With “Éternelle”, already available on the download platforms, the artist has just reached a milestone by adding minorities to his fight. In this text, mainly in wolof, the artist takes the path of inclusiveness and, by extension, social integration and the richness of differences. In this clip, love is combined in gestures, looks and emotions. A beautiful triptych. Not really need a phrasing to understand the message at its core; for, signs are sufficient to themselves. This artistic choice demonstrates Jahman’s ability to make his rap a tool for education, awareness and social transformation.
Jahman, undisputed figure of Senegalese hip-hop
At some point in their musical career, every artist feels the need to explore new possibilities, new things, new sounds. For some, it is a question of returning to the sources, to the roots of their inspirations of departures. For others, however, it is an unexplained need to celebrate love, the guarantee of a harmonious and fulfilling society. Jahman chooses to be part of the second strand: singing love for everyone in a language imbued with a certain universality: sign language. This song in wolof reflects the artist’s desire to not break away from his roots, to anchor his music in local realities and make it accessible to all social strata. Jahman, it is a voice, which, like a solid root, sinks into the bowels of this nourishing land that is African earth. It is this sap that feeds his songs. With its unique flow and characteristic tone of voice, it combines in “Eternal” a strong message that speaks to all social strata. This is almost a novelty in Senegalese music. In doing so, it can win a diverse audience, both in Senegal and in the diaspora. “Eternal” is part of this trajectory, but with a particularly universal touch, designed to touch all sensitivitieS.
Eternal, a song for posterity
In a musical universe often marked by repetitive themes and sometimes superficial messages, Jahman is in conflict with this new single “Éternelle”. This song is part to be permanently inscribed in the consciousness. “Eternal” is more than a simple song, it is a lesson of humanity, a vibrant call to unity and unconditional love. Jahman, without ever abandoning the themes that are dear to him, reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for building bridges and breaking down walls. Eternal is a music that invites us to go beyond appearances and embrace what connects us all: the heart.
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.
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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.
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.
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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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