Barbara Kanam - Djarabi

Thought I would take us back a couple of years with one of Africa's prime beauties... Barbara Kanam from Congo DRC.



Djarabi J'taime
Djarabi Motema na nga,
Djarabi na lingi yo

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INTERVIEW: A BOA VIDA MEETS FABRICE WONGA

Congo is known to produce some of the most talented music artist in Africa (just think Fally Ipupa), and now we have our own exported, home-grown talent.
Congo born singer/songwriter Fabrice Wonga is currently making his name known in the UK with his 'Congo Wifey' track.
I was lucky enough to grab Frabrice from his busy scheduled to get to know him a little and talk about his music career.

ABD: So, for those who don't know you, could you please describe your music in 3 words?

FW: First and foremost I would like to thank you for featuring me on your wonderful blog. I would describe my music as being Heartfelt, catchy & fun at times.

ABD: How and when did your passion for singing and song writing start?

FW: My passion really started when i was still in secondary at age 13. I hid it for a bit cause I went to a tough all boys school and singing wasnt really hip. So I really started sharing my songs with friends in college (looking back those songs were terrible) and from summer 2009 I really started seeing it as a carreer not just a hobby.

ABD: Your song 'Congo Wifey' has proven to be quite popular as of lately, and I personally love the way you sing in both English and Lingala. What motivated you to write this song?

FW: Thank you. Congo Wifey is a combination of two previous songs only my inner circle know about. I co-Wrote the song back in 2009 along with my friend and longterm musical partner and producer of Congo Wifey, Zoe Kassanda Ilunga (he’s a boy by the way). The motivation came from past love interests and relationships. The funny thing is that I was single when I wrote that song.

ABD: Who would you say are your musical influences? And who would be you dream collaboration?

FW: I grew up listening to all the Congolese greats: Zaiko, Wenge musica, Papa wemba, along with the likes of Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Brain Mcknight & Lokua kanza. My dream collaboration would have to be Brian Mcknight.

ABD: I hear you are also a writer and Poet. What message do you expect your listeners to get from your music and poetry?

FW: Oh wow where did you dig that up lol. Yeah I wrote alot of poetry at some period from 2007-2010, I’ve published afew online so check that out. I expect my listeners to hear things that they can relate to, heartbreaks, falling in love, justice for my motherland Congo and a message of unity.

ABD: If you was not singing, what would you be doing?

FW: Oh wow I would probably be a simple songwriter. I also love acting and I would love to pursue that soon. If that fails Im currently a Computer science student so I would also probably be doing that instead of music.

ABD: What else can we be expecting from you in the future?

FW: I will be performing at THE OFFICIAL CONGO 52ND INDEPENDENCE DANCE & MISS CONGO UK 2012 | Hosted By EDDIE KADI @ CAMDEN CENTRE on the 30th June. I plan to also release a single called ‘Central London’ (London 2012 Olympic Games) along with a music video…I Will finally release ‘Congo Wifey’ with a music video too.

I am also currently writing my debut EP, so stay tuned as I’m going to be busy creating some beautiful music for my fans, old and new, in the next 12 months. So expect me performing at a venue near you.

Now for the quick-fire questions:

ABD: What embarrasing song might I find on your iPod?

Well the embarrassing thing is that I dont have even one Drake or Adele song in there. I like their music but won't listen to it everyday. Oh and ‘Justin Bieber –Boyfriend’ *hidesface*.

ABD: Snap! What is your guilty pleasure?

Supermalt lol

ABD: A Boa Vida! aims to promote new and up coming artists/bands, who would you suggest for us to check out at this current moment?

Mark Asari formally of the group Encore. Extremmly talented Singer/Songerwriter & Producer

Dele – Gifted singer and songwriter

J Stories – Some nice commercial RnB from his latest EP ‘Initiation’ you guys should check it out

ABV: You've been amazing, thank you for sparing A Boa Vida! the time.

FW: Thank you for having me.

Notable links

You can also check out Fabrice Live gigging @ TheComedyPub ~~ bit.ly/I5pFRb

If you love AfroBeats/AfroRnB Check out #Kitoko - Fabrice Wonga - Live @ TheComedyPub ~ bit.ly/I5pG7C

He has also done a little acting ::: CONGO50 MUSICAL EVENT - La retrospective (As Seen on Sky TV)::: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PLhYVRDkxo

Contact details

Website: Coming soon

Twitter: @FabriceMusic

For bookings/enquiries: fabricewonga@gmail.com

Fan pages: facebook.com/iamfabricewonga

Management: fullimpact@live.co.uk

New music

Youtube: youtube.com/fabricewonga

Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/fabricewonga

Myspace: myspace.com/fabricewonga

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Fabrice Wonga - Congo Wifey

Singer, song writer and poet Fabrice Wonga is definitely one to look out for. I love the English/Lingala mix in Congo Wifey. Amazing voice and acoustic. I look forward to the rest of his releases.

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La Vie Est Belle

Although at times I claim to be one side more than the other, I can not but love being a mix of two different African identities. I carry with me the wealth of music my parents embodied in me during my childhood.

With my mother being partially Congolese (Democratic Republic of Congo),and my dad being a huge fan of old school Congolese soukous and rumba, I grew up listening to the likes of Koffi Olamide, Pepe Kalle, Zaiko Langa Langa, Defao, OK Jazz, and Papa Wemba.

Speaking of the latter brings me to the reason behind this post. 
I came home today to find my mum watching her favourite movie of all times. 'La Vie est Belle' French meaning for 'Life is Beautiful/Rosy' (similar to the title of this blog :)) 

It is a romantic comedy set in the DRC staring PAPA WEMBA and BIBI KRUBWA and follows the story of a gifted musician who travelled to the city with a aim of forming a Band, on arrival, He was greeted by a sight of a beautiful student BIBI KRUBWA who he soon encounter and immediately established friendship when he called in on a local Bar for a drink dressed in his boss expensive suit.

I remember when I was younger, watching the movie, mostly whilst getting my hair done (don't ask why lol). and listening to the sound tracks in the movie. Musicians like Papa Wemba only reminds me how musically rich Congo is. I swear, it's like every individual is embeded with music and dance in them.

I absolutely love this movie, both for its story line and the sound track, Everytime I watch it, it brings back good memories.

Movie soundtrack

Check out the intro scene below.
Defo a movie to watch.
(English Subtitles)

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