The REAL Meanings Of The Democratic Republic of the Congo "Fimbu" Dance (videos & information)

Felix Wazekwa - Léopards Fimbu Na Fimbu Champions Chan 2016

AfricaShowsMusic : 100% Musique Africaine, Jan 13, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgXPkWvI6Q4

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases five YouTube videos about the Democratic Republic of the Congo's dance called "Fimbu" (also called "Fimbu Chicotte").

This post also presents a complete reprint of a 2017 online article about the Fimbu dance and two 2026 AI Overview write-ups about that dance. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and recreational purposes.

All copyrights remain wiih their owners.

Thanks to Felix Wazeka, the creator of the Fimbu dance. Thanks to Marc Jourdier and thanks to all past and present members of the Congolese football club. Thanks also to  all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all the publishes of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-similarities-between-ways-whip.html for a related pancocojams post entitled "The Similarities Between The Ways The "Whip" & "The Whip/Nae Nae" Were Danced In The United States And How The "Fimbu" Was & Is Still Danced In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo."

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIMBU DANCE
Source #1

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is a complete reprint of this article. I reformatted it to enhance its readability.]

From https://sg.news.yahoo.com/dr-congos-dancing-footballers-leave-mark-africa-cup-025838837--so
"DR Congo's dancing footballers leave mark at Africa Cup of Nations" by Marc Jourdier,  30 January 2017 

They may be out of the tournament, but the Democratic Republic of Congo's footballers will be forever remembered by Africa Cup of Nations fans for their dance moves on the pitch. DR Congo players danced the "Fimbu" seven times at the CAN 2017 tournament in Gabon -- once for each goal scored -- as their supporters in the stands cheered with delight. After each goal, the players would gather side by side, hold their left arm up and wave their right as they moved down the pitch in unison.

The move is based on a much more elaborate dance accompanying the Congolese pop hit "Fimbu" by Felix Wazeka, which in a light-hearted music video with over half a million views on YouTube is performed by dozens of men and women in colourful dress. "Everything about this dance is easy," singer Wazekwa told AFP. "But what it expresses is huge. It's the fact that we won, and that we're looking for the best way to celebrate our goals." DR Congo's music is already known worldwide for its upbeat tunes -- with superstar "rumba king" Papa Wemba leading the Kinshasa music scene for four decades until he died last year.

In the Lingala language, the word "fimbu" refers to a type of whip that was once a symbol of Belgian colonial violence in the vast central African nation and is still used in many schools and homes, despite a ban on corporal punishment. Despite the dark overtones, football stars and fans say the "Fimbu" dance is all about fun. "The idea (behind the dance) was never to mock the opponent or to go against the spirit of sportsmanship or fair play," said Kabulo Mwana Kabulo, director of sports at DR Congo's national radio and television service. "The goal is to entertain the audience, it's just a way to express joy," he said. Neeskens Kebano, the squad's number 10, is a little more provocative. "It means 'whip' -- and quite simply, it's about whipping our opponents," he said.

The dance seems to be spreading around the world, with French player Blaise Matuidi of Paris Saint Germain and Cedric Bakambu, who plays for Spain's Villareal, doing the "Fimbu" to celebrate their goals. - World Cup dreams - Congolese players first danced the "Fimbu" in 2016, during the African Nations Championship in Rwanda. Far from being favourites, they surprised their fans by defeating Ethiopia 3-0 at the opening game. Winning one match after another, they ended up bringing the trophy back home to euphoric supporters in DR Congo. This time, the team -- nicknamed the Leopards -- has fared worse, eliminated on Sunday by Ghana in the quarter finals. But rather than mourn their loss, fans are already looking forward to the next big challenge: the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And just for the occasion, Wazekwa is working with rappers Maitre Gims and Youssoupha on a new version of the dance. "My goal is for the 'Fimbu' to be danced at the World Cup," Wazekwa said."

****
Source #2 :  AI Overview [This is the result of my question about the meaning of the Congolese Fimbu (Fimbu chicotte) dance.

"Fimbu chicotte is a celebratory phrase and dance from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Popularized by Congolese singer Félix Wazekwa and embraced by the national football team (the Leopards), it playfully means "whip the opponent."

The term combines two words for a whip or hitting:

Fimbu: This means "whip" or "the whip" in Lingala, a widely spoken language in the DRC.

Chicotte: This is a French word commonly used in Central and West Africa to refer to a whip or a whipping, often rooted in a history of harsh colonial punishments

The Dance and Its Meaning

During football matches or celebrations, supporters and players perform the fimbu chicotte by raising their arms and hands to mimic the cracking of a whip.

The Spirit of the Celebration: Rather than having a violent or genuinely malicious intent, the dance is used to playfully "chastise" or "whip" a losing opponent.

Cultural Context: Wazekwa created the original song as a plea to fight against impunity, essentially suggesting that those who commit offenses deserve to be punished or "whipped."

The Leopards football team adapted it into a joyful, rhythmic dance to celebrate goals and overwhelm opposing teams."

****
Source #3- AI Overview #2 [This is the result of my questions "What is the name of the dance that congolese did in the 2016 YouTube video for the fimbu na fimbu song? What language are they singing and do they still do this dance in 2026?]

"The dance performed in the 2016 music video is simply called the Fimbu (derived from the hit pop song "Fimbu" by Congolese artist Félix Wazekwa).

The song is sung in Lingala, which is the most widely spoken language in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In Lingala, the word fimbu translates to "the whip."

They absolutely still do this dance in 2026. It has remained a massive cultural phenomenon and the signature goal celebration for the Congolese national football team (the Leopards) at tournaments like the World Cup. The celebratory dance involves holding an imaginary object with the left hand while using the right hand to make a downward "whipping" motion, accompanied by short rhythmic steps."

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 -FELIX WAZEKWA - FIMBU - CLIP OFFICIEL



FelixWazekwaOfficiel. Dec 11, 2017

danse inventée par Felix Wazekwa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RntPPXoBMs

****

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3- Fimbu Chicote ❤️❤️❤️❤️Felix Wazekwa



@rhumbanews, 2024, Jan 17

https://youtube.com/shorts/EC9nCTb3jtQ?si=ONqO5_aPVJjBchMB

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Felix Wazekwa - FIMBU FOR EVER Congratulations DR Congo for 1-0 win against Benin at the Africa Cup



@DJNUMZ, December 24, 2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/4Cb0OGBNGTk?si=PwkUxJBg1y9JfTa1

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - DR Congo Fimbu Dance 🇨🇩 #drcongo #fimbu #worldcup #Soccer #🇨🇩


@whatzpoppinnews, Jun 20, 2026
-snip-
Members of Democratic Republic of the Congo football team the Leopards doing the Fimbu dance during the World Cup game to celebrate scoring. (In the United States and in a few other countries, this form of football is called "soccer").

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWFZ59oJYiI

****
Thanks for visitingpancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

JB Mpiana- Ndombolo (sound file, information, comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Congolese video "Ndombolo" by JB Mpiana. Information about JB Mpiana is provided in this post as well as information and comments about the "ndombolo" dance. Two bonus J.B. Mpiana's ndombolo videos are also included in this post.

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to JB Mpiana for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all others who are featured in these examples and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT JB MPIANA
From http://forum.afromix.org/posts/list/15/2744 page 1 (bottom comment), repeated on page 2; 04/06/2007 Subject: Re:Happy BirthDay JB Mpiana!
"JB Mpiana - Place and date of birth: Kananga, June 02 1967"
-snip-
This is a six page blog thread that contains happy 40th birthday greetings to JB Mpiana. However, most of that blog thread consists of criticism of or gossip about JB [the person] or comments that unfavorably compare his music to other contemporary Congolese singers.

****
From the Wikipedia page for JB Mpiana [Translation page from French to English; This content is largely given "as is" but with some clarifying words added by me or substituting for the poor English translation are given in brackets. A comment about ndombolo is given in italics to highlight it.]
"Jean-Bedel Mpiana wa Tshituka [also known as] JB Mpiana is a [Congolese] singer-songwriter. He was the president and singer [of] Wenge Musica BCBG 4x4 All Terrain until its breakup in December 1997. This shows in 1997 with his first solo album, Young and the Restless , especially with the title track " Ndombolo, "the Congolese very rhythm dancing" Ndombolo "is a dance in the streets of Kinshasa to the year 1996*...

Born in Kananga, he lived in Kinshasa from [his childhood]...and in 1981 he founded with friends Wenge Musica , a group where he remained until 1997.

Today, [he] is one of the greatest musicians artists from Africa, but also the richest, very popular in his country Congo - Kinshasa, he was named best singer by the Congolese press for the 6th time in 2008.

...JB Mpiana singer released his [first] solo album 1 in 1997 and the [Young and the] Restless, composed of 10 [songs].[That album] very festive [uptempo] beat[s] and sold over 150,000 copies (gold record). One of the tracks of this album, "Ndombolo "will be a great success and cross borders. It will be understood in the African and European clubs. This album gave his name to a very festive dancing Congolese music, ambience and assimilated: the ndombolo . This album gave acclaim to JB Mpiana . Before this album, Wenge Musica was considered a group that was dancing and moving, but JB Mpiana with this album it is discovered as a writer through rich texts. With Young and the Restless, he received the award for best singer for the 2nd time, best song and best album. This is commonly called ndombolo , his 1 title, followed by Young and the Restless, the title which gives its name to the album. Other songs: Lone Rider ft. Papa Wemba , I love you, Duplex, Masuwa Bana Lunda, Top Model, Patcho Council Papito . Success caused tension in Wenge Musica and December, it was divided....

In August 2004, the band released Wenge BCBG Anti-Terro registered in South Africa . On this occasion, JB Mpiana receives for the fifth time the award for best singer of the Congo, equaling the record held by his idol Papa Wemba. However, in 2008, he [received] this award again and actually [he] is the only one to have received six times the price of the best singer of the Congo . During his career, he has received more than 25 gold palms in Congo..."
-snip-
"Kin" was given on that page and I thought it was a typo. I've now learned [from reading it elsewhere] that "Kin" is a colloquialism for "Kinshasa", the capital of the Democratic Republic Of The Congo.

*This comment indicates that the dance that came to be known as "ndombolo" existed before JB Mpiana's record with that title.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT NDOMBOLO [DANCE]
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukous#Ndombolo
"Soukous is a genre of dance music[1] that originated from Cuban Rumba music in the Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1940s and gained popularity throughout Africa.

Soukous is known as Congo in West Africa and Lingala in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania after the Lingala language of the lyrics. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, where Congolese music is also influential, it is still usually referred to as Rumba. It mixes the kwasa kwasa with the fast tempo zouk style and Congolese rumba. It is also an individual dance...

The fast soukous music currently dominating dance floors in central, eastern and western Africa is called soukous ndombolo, performed by Dany Engobo, Awilo Longomba, Aurlus Mabele, Koffi Olomide and groups like Extra Musica and Wenge Musica among others.

The hip-swinging dance to the fast pace of soukous ndombolo has come under criticism amid charges that it is obscene. There have been attempts to ban it in Mali, Cameroon and Kenya. After an attempt to ban it from state radio and television in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2000, it became even more popular. In February 2005, ndombolo music videos in the DR Congo were censored for indecency, and video clips by Koffi Olomide, JB M'Piana and Werrason were banned from the airwaves."

****
From http://www.le-bema.com/en/story/jb-mpiana-ndombolo-dance-horse
"Cofounder of Wenge Musica, a leading group of Congolese music from the late '80s, the singer JB Mpiana wished to defend his star status with his double album Seriously, who serves as a platform to launch a new choreography called the dance of the horse."
-snip-
I'm assuming that "a new choreography called the dance of the horse" refers to "ndombolo". I wonder if that what "ndombolo" means or if that is a poor translation of the French to English of another word. Contrast that definition with this meaning for "ndombolo" that was given by a commenter in the YouTube comment thread for a sound file of that record:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjeGWlUFYM0 [I've written that definition in italics by mean to highlight it.]
Jsemanda, 2010
"What are they singing about? Can someone translate what "Ndombolo" means. Thanks"

reply

Joseph Mastaki, 2010
"GENERIQUE OYO EBUKA ZAMBIE MOBIMBA PE PRESIDENT FREDERICK CHILUBA ABINA NA KATI YA LUSAKA..... OK I WILL TRANSLATE FOR YOU: NDOMBOLO IS IN CONGOLESE DIALECT IT'S MEANS: "RAMPANT WALK " just like a crocodile walks... Congolese Music will always be the best.... forever"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Jb mpiana- Ndombolo



selino bwatshia, Uploaded on May 11, 2009

Generique feux de l'amour
-snip-
Google Translate gives the English meaning of as "Generic and the Restless". However, the correct English translation is probably "The Young And The Restless" which is the title of JB Mpiana's first solo album.
-snip-
Here's two [additional] comments from that sound file:
Yvonne Nagawa, 2011
"What does Ndombolo Ya Solo mean ?"

franciso7, 2011
in reply to Yvonne Nagawa
"@Ydott That means : "The true Ndombolo" which is the name of the dance."

****
A BONUS VIDEO OF NDOMBOLO DANCING

Example #1: JB Mpiana à l'olympia Show avec les Enfant [Google Translate: JB Mpiana in olympia Show with Children]



MAESTRO CHRIS MUGLER, Uploaded on Mar 4, 2010 Le petit frere de Alain Mpela [Google Translate: The little brother of Alain Mpela

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

(Congolese artist) Fally Ipupa - "Original" (YouTube Video & Comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - June 5, 2023

This pancocojams  post showcases the Congolese video "Original" by Fally Ipupa. Information about Fally Ipupa as well as information and comments about this video are included in this post.

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Fally Ipupa and thanks to all others who are featured in this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT FALLY IPUPA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fally_Ipupa
Fally Ipupa is a singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was part of the band of Koffi Olomidé, Quartier Latin International, from 1999 to 2006 before starting a solo career. His first solo album was Droit chemin released in 2006, and his second album Arsenal de Belles Melodies (A2BM) was released in 2009.

In 2007, Ipupa won the Kora Awards for Best Artist or Group from Central Africa.[1] In 2010, Fally Ipupa won the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 for Best Video (for Sexy Dance) and Best Francophone.[2] He won the urban awards for best African artist. Ipupa was nominated in the Best Live Act category at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards.[3] He released an album named kosa leka in 2014”.

****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
"Currently the Democratic Republic of Congo's music is domoninated by the "ndombolo" dance and well represented by the newest congolese superstar:Fally Ipupa is a strong performer from the Democratic Republic of Congo who worked with the legendary Koffi Olomide in his group, Quatier Latin, before branching out on his own. His performances are energetic, his delivery unsurpassable. Female fans love to watch as he whips his songs to new heights in time to his swiveling hips (part of the reason he made the top ten sexiest men list). The mix of rhumba, reggae, soul and ndombolo have proven to be his magical elixir. He has performed to sold out audiences in Paris and New York and continues to gain recognition internationally for his music.

His awards include the Césaire de la Musique award for best male artist of the year (October 2007); he received a gold disc for his album, Droit Chemin, and has been nominated for best music clip, and best artist in the Black Music Awards to be held in Coutonou, Benin on January 12, 2008. Droit Chemin, produced by Maïka Munan (who has worked with famous Congolese musicians such as Tabu Ley Rochereau, M’Bilia Bel, Papa Wemba, Afia Mala), has been received with accolades and is extremely popular with his fans. The video is well done and features several ndombolo moves. One wonders how long it will be before his moves show up on a hiphop video as the next big move"...

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: ORIGINAL_Fally Ipupa



Fally Ipupa, Published on May 5, 2014

New Hit "ORIGINAL" Fally Ipupa

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S VIEWER COMMENT THREAD
nicolz lami
"My people! The Almighty's people..my African people. Always makes me smile"

****
Bantu Mai1
"I like how Fally allowed the legendary congolese guitar do the singing. Anyone else noticed no mabanga? its good like this. Mabanga soki eleki ebebisaka. Ba combatant pardon. Botika music ezonga."

****
Samson Kihanya
"At the end of the music ,did i hear something like " Ali bumaye" ?"

Reply

Mikobe Nunez
"yeah u just hear that. that's in his song called "Bruce"..there is a part in the beginning where he says " It's not a competition which one of us has to win but it is love between sweetheart wife and husband, not a fight between Bruce lee and chuke Norris. Neither a clash between Muhammad Ali and Foreman where u heard the crowd chant 'Ali Bomaye, Ali Bomaye!'"

Reply

Roger Delopus
"In this song, it's not Ali boma ye, but Fally boma ye! The meaning is Fally kill him! When Ali fought with Foreman in Kinshasa, people used to sing Ali boma ye (in lingala). They want Ali to beat Foreman (not to kill him, :-) )"

**
yungweez3
"What's the name of the song Fally was singing at 4:38 in Abidjan?"

Reply

stanilasc8
"the song is called Prince de Southfork"

****
Cindy Quamina
"Original Indeed - i don't understand the language but the rhythm makes me move"

****
Marian Sindani
"If u r from Angola or Congo , kinsasha those sort of places u will know how to speak Spanish, French, Portuguese,lingala "

****
Masesa Demian
"The first Congolese music have heard and seen running for only 4mins, you are a living Legend Fally...your changing the game.....kitoko kitoko"
-snip-
"Kitoko" is a Lingala word meaning "beautiful". It also can be translated to English to mean "good vibes". 

****
jeancy fancy
"everybody dance original"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Five Congolese Religious Songs Entitled "Ngolu"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases five religious songs from four vocalists from the Democratic Republic Of The Congo which have the title "Ngolu". In English That Lingala word translates as (God's) grace or (God's) mercy. Brief biographical information for three of the four vocalists is included in this post.

This is only a small sampling of Congolese songs with the title "Ngolu". There are also many Congolese songs wit the word "ngolu" in their title.

The content of this post is provided for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of this song and thanks to all the vocalists/musicians those who are featured in these examples. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in no particular order. The two performances of this song by Mike Kalambay are presented together. When I've found it online, the biographical information about the vocalist is presented under that vocalist's video/s.

Example #1: NGOLU "Mike Kalambay WWW.CASARHEMA.FR



casarhema, Uploaded on Aug 24, 2008

****
Ngolu



davidbukera, Uploaded on Dec 17, 2010

Shekina Music & Mike KALAMBAY MEGA Celebration
-snip-
From https://www.facebook.com/musiqueyanzambe/posts/325309320928956
"Biography of the artist: Mike Kalambay

Musique Ya Nzambe [in English: God's Music]
..."Mike was born on Monday April 21 at 8 am in a clinical Kinoise (ex) Danish in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC., "

[He is an} Artist musician, singer of the original Lord of the DRC. He is Founder and Chairman of Schekina Music Group he has led for four years.

He began his career beside Fr Thomas Lokofe with whom he made two albums (1.Nzambe na Eliya 2.I raise my eyes). This is where for the first time the audience has had to find out. Later it will be a passage in "The stars of Praise" a Christian group of his church "Bethel City" of the Apostle Emmanuel Mbiye Mulaya. He also had to intervene in various works of several Christian singers. And it was only later that the Lord will put his heart made of an album, "Jesus is my everything" his first album that many have loved and appreciated in which we find songs such as Eg-Ngolu - Lizimba - Sunga, Jesus my all, Kama-Alijionesha )...

This is the album that gave birth to Schekina Music, which is a well organized group, whose chief d'orchestre is Brother Micho Lukusa and is composed of over-the-least 10 brothers and three sisters whose Sr . Suzanne, Mathi and Sr. Janet."...

****
Example #3: ngolu (carlyto)



alexi2008 Uploaded on Jun 11, 2008

carlyto live

Carlyto = Carlito Lassa
-snip-
Note: Carlito Lassa was a member of the renown Congolese Soukous Group "The Choc Stars".
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choc_Stars
"The Choc Stars are a soukous band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The band was founded in 1983 by Ben Nyamabo, and has since published over 50 albums. The apex of their success was in the 1980s, when guitarist and vocalist Bozi Boziana wrote some of their most appreciated hits, such as Sandu Kotti, Alena, Mbuta-Mutu, and Retrouvailles a Paris.[1] When Boziana left to create his own ensemble, three singers were hired to replace him (Carlito Lassa, Dieka Debaba e Defao Matumona). Many other talented congolese musicians have joined the Choc Stars over the years"...
-snip-
From the comments in this featured video, doesn't exclusively sing religious music.

****
Example #4: Ngolu



davidbukera , Uploaded on May 3, 2010

Gospel record SR. L'OR LEMBA MBONGO DANS Nsimbulu
English translation: Sister L'Or (Gold) Mbongo Lemba in [the album] Nsimbulu
-ssnip-
Here's my brief summary of the biography given for this singer on this page http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.infosociale.org/mbongoun.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dl%2527or%2Bmbongo%2Blemba%2Bbiographie%26biw%3D853%26bih%3D575
[The highly regarded religious singer] L'or Mongo Lemba was born in a poor neighborhood in Kinshasa. She was a step child and was badly treated in her childhood. Her husband is Christian Lemba, a composer and singer.
-snip-
Note: The name "L'or" translates to English as "Gold".

****
Example #5: FR ALAIN BOMPETI "NGOLU"

.

Heaven Above Studios, Published on Oct 9, 2012

...NGOLU est une chanson tirer de l'album INTIMITE du fr Alain Bompeti
[translation from French to English: "Ngolu" is the title song from Brother Alain Bompeti's INTiMITE album.]
-snip-
At this time, I've not been able to find any information on Brother Alain Bompeti.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Nyboma & Pepe Kalle with Dally Kimoko - "Nina" (Congolese Soukous Music)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video of the Congolese song "Nina" with singers Nyboma, Pepe Kalle, and featuring guitarist Dally Kimoko and comedian Sans souci

This post also provides information about Pepe Kalle, and Soukous music and provides several comments from this video's YouTube discussion thread.

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Nyboma and Pépé Kallé for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all the vocalists, musicians and dancers that are featured in this video. Thanks to all those quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SOUKOUS MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukous
"Soukous is a genre of dance music[1] that originated from Cuban Rumba music in the Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1940s and gained popularity throughout Africa.

Soukous is known as Congo in West Africa and Lingala in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania after the Lingala language of the lyrics. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, where Congolese music is also influential, it is still usually referred to as Rumba. It mixes the kwasa kwasa with the fast tempo zouk style and Congolese rumba. It is also an individual dance...

While the rumba influenced bands such as Lipua-Lipua, Veve, TP OK Jazz and Bella Bella [continued playing that style of music], younger Congolese musicians looked for ways to reduce that influence and play a faster paced soukous inspired by rock n roll.[9] A group of students called Zaiko Langa Langa came together in 1969 around founding vocalist Papa Wemba. Pepe Kalle, a protégé of Grand Kalle, created the band Empire Bakuba together with Papy Tex and they too became popular.

Soukous now spread[s] across Africa and became an influence on virtually all the styles of modern African popular music including highlife, palm-wine music, taarab and makossa'"...

****
INFORMATION ABOUT PEPE KALLE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A9p%C3%A9_Kall%C3%A9
"Pépé Kallé, sometimes written as Pepe Kalle (November 30, 1951 – November 28, 1998) was a soukous singer, musician and bandleader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pépé Kallé was born Kabasele Yampanya in Kinshasa (then Léopoldville) in the Belgian Congo, but later assumed his pseudonym in hommage to his mentor, Le Grand Kallé.

With a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) and 136 kg (300 lb) vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums[citation needed] during his two decade-long career. Known affectionately as "the elephant of African music" and "La Bombe Atomique,"[citation needed] Kallé entertained audiences with his robust performances.

His musical career started with l'African Jazz, the band of Le Grand Kallé. He later performed in Bella Bella and became the lead singer of Lipua Lipua, where he sang alongside Nyboma Mwandido. In 1972, Kallé along with Dilu Dilumona and Papy Tex, left Lipua Lipua to form their own band named Empire Bakuba. Empire Bakuba took its name from a Congolese warrior tribe, and it pointedly incorporated rootsy rhythms from the interior, sounds that had long been sidelined by popular rumba. The band was an instant hit, and together with Zaiko Langa Langa they became Kinshasa's most popular youth band. With hits such as Pépé Kallé's Dadou and Papy Tex's Sango ya mawa, the band was a constant fixture on the charts. They also created a new dance, the kwassa kwassa.

On their tenth anniversary in 1982, the band was voted Zaire's top group. Throughout the early 1980s, Empire Bakuba continued to tour extensively while releasing no less than four albums a year. By the mid eighties, they had a large following throughout Francophone Central and West Africa. His 1986 collaboration with Nyboma labelled Zouke zouke was one of the years top selling albums. But it was his second collaboration with Nyboma, Moyibi (1988), which launched his popularity throughout Africa."...

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: 

The video that was uploaded with this post is no longer available. Here's another copy of the same  video:

Nyboma Pepe Kalle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8utCSY61cnE&ab_channel=kizzbybomsera

kizz bybo msera, Dec 27, 2019

-snip-
Unfortunately, I STILL haven't found an English translation or English summary of this Lingala song.


****
EXAMPLES FROM THIS VIDEO'S VIEWER COMMENT THREAD [These comments are from the original video that was uploaded in this post.]
horridhenri, 2010
"Great music. kuasa kuasa at its best. with the most successful comedian Sans souci mokili ngonga(rip) Koko dia Nzombo et Kimbanseke papa alube. Pepe Kalle and Niboma what a ccombination. surely you made us dance and forget aour problems. Bless you all. keep up the good work. speak up for peace in congo."

****
PierB33, 2010
"Ah quelle beaute... This song is simply great. The lyrics, the rythm, the singing, the arrangements, everything is simply great..."

****
Marija Dominyka, 2010
in reply to Matt Sseru
"@mattsseru It is Dally Kimoko and Lokassa Ya Mbongo. Dally Plays lead and Lokassa plays the rythmn that you can hear in the background. :)"

****
spicee221, 2010
"Nybomas' voice is like expensive silk....Flawless and exquisite. This is simply beautiful. Thanks for posting."

****
horridhenri, 2010
"Great music. kuasa kuasa at its best. with the most successful comedian Sans souci mokili ngonga(rip) Koko dia Nzombo et Kimbanseke papa alube. Pepe Kalle and Niboma what a ccombination. surely you made us dance and forget aour problems. Bless you all. keep up the good work. speak up for peace in congo."

****
Mr Jeno, 2010
'Reminds me of my childhood when my dad use to play this song every Saturday morning. I love it. Pure African music at it's best. This song may be old but it is still great."

****
kamoquot, 2010
"the best lingala i av ever had"
-snip-
“Lingala” here is probably being used as a synonym for “soukous” / “African rumba”


****
SuperKayaya, 2012
"Ils peuvent tout ravir aux congolais. Mais ils ne reusiront jamais à nous ravir nos talents et notre joie de vivre. Jamais."
-snip-
Google translate from French to English= “They can steal all Congolese. But they never reusiront to rob us our talents and joie de vivre. Ever.”

****
Dennis Orina, 2013
"party anthem...taking u back way back .when music was still music...i mean b4 it became public noise...music wit lots of sense..heiyooo..pepe kalee...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Mbilia Bel - "Faux Pas" (Congo)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a video of the Congolese female vocalist Mbilia Bel singing "Faux Pas". The lyrics of that song are provided by a YouTube commentor. Several other comments from that YouTube discussion thread are also provided in this post.

In addition, this post provides information about African rumba as well as information about Mbilia Bel.

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Mbilia Bel for her musical legacy. Thanks also to all those quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. Special thanks to Job Mokaya for providing the English translation of this song which is sung in the Lingala language.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT AFRICAN RUMBA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukous
""Soukous", a derivative of the French word "secousse" – "to shake"[2] – was originally the name of a dance and music popular in the Congos in the late 1960s, an African version of the Cuban Rumba. From the 1940s, Afro-Cuban son groups such as Septeto Habanero and Trio Matamoros had been played over Radio Congo Belge in Léopoldville (Kinshasa), and the Congo shared the widespread popularity of Cuban music during the late 1940s and 1950s.[3]

To Africans, Cuban popular music sounded familiar[4] and Congolese bands started doing Cuban covers, singing the lyrics phonetically. Eventually they created original compositions with lyrics in French or Lingala, a "lingua franca" of the western Congo region. The Cuban horn guajeos were adapted to guitars.[5] The Congolese called this new music "rumba", though it was more based on "son"."

****
INFORMATION ABOUT MBILIA BEL
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M'bilia_Bel
"M'bilia Bel (born 1959) is a Congolese rumba singer, known as the Queen of Congolese rumba. She rose to fame after being discovered by Tabu Ley Rochereau.

Born in 1959 and brought up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, M'bilia Bel became successful in the early 1980s when she recorded and toured with Tabu Ley Rochereau, and made her own solo albums. The birth of her first child prompted her to take a break from performing, however, and after a last album with Tabu Ley in 1987, she moved to Paris. There she started working with guitarist Rigo Star, and between 1989 and 1990 she went on tour to the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Africa. With a combination of beauty, an angelic soprano voice, and tremendous agility on stage, M'bilia Bel stole the hearts of music fans all over the continent. She was Africa's first female transcontinental diva. She became the first female musician from Africa who could claim popularity all over the entire continent and beyond. In fact, one could argue that there has not been any female musician from Africa who has captured the imagination of music fans across the continent as much as M'bilia Bel did in the eighties. South African Miriam Makeba, known as Mama Afrika, popularity peaked in the 1960s but could not attract as many fans as M'bilia Bel did later."...

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Congo - Mbilia Bel- Faux Pas



Seka Moke Uploaded on Jul 31, 2008

AFRICA FROM A-Z : CONGO - MBILIA BEL

****
LYRICS - FAUX PAS (English translation)
(as sung by Mbilia Bel)

Note: These lyrics were posted by Job Mokaya, 2013 in four comments to this YouTube discussion thread. Aside for the first comment given, given the way that YouTube publishes comments, I'm not sure if I'm reproducing the comments in the lyrics in the order that they were posted.

"LYRICS: “Faux pas” means “Wrong move” or “Wrong act” A song of Tabu Ley Rochereau, sang by the queen Mbilia Bel: [Verse] Stay there where you are, I’ve heard that you are requesting my address So you are being send by my rival I want you to forget my man now. I can’t fight you because I’m peaceful I’ve been hearing about you quite for some time. You’re being send to take my man away from me. Go back to where you are coming from. Ask to those who know about me when I go crazy.

What can I say now, who is that one making a big mounth claiming my man? Oh no, I can’t believe it, this is embarrassing, oh no, not to me M’bilia; The type of marriage we get ourself into has many faces. You wake up in the morning and you are being confroted with infidelity; You feel like going crasy, Not knowing what else to do, Oh no, not me M’bilia; In our time poligamy is taken lightly; In the time past it was dignified. Where is all of this leading us to? and to where are we taking this?"

I’ve been hearing about you quite for some time. Where ever I would go you would inquire about my whereabout. You’re being sent by my rival. But the one sending you is fooling herself. Now she’s sending you to get my man for her, but at the same time, you yourself start to fall in love with him. “You can not leave a goat along with kassava leaves”. You should know that the man is mine; You and your friend are temporary. I’m not strong enough to fight, but with my words I can piece you off

Rivalry is very painful, heartbreaking. You’re coming from “I don’t know where” and you want to kate my man away from me; I would lose my mind and I will do anything to prove you otherwise. A rival is only a “rival”. What friendship should we have? What you don’t want done to you, don’t do it to another. It hurt, it’s heart breaking. Now what else can I tell you? The man is mine. Who are you to claim my man? This is crasy. This is embarrassing! oh no; not me Mbilia"

****
OTHER COMMENTS FROM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uewh-SIiI64

****
LusaMonene1, 2013
"So the song is about love rivalry, good work Mokaya."

****
faustino henrique, 2013
"Many Thanks, Mr. Job Mokaya, because most of us doesn´t know understande Lingala and a translation in Portuguse, English or French (for me, in this case) is very useful. Once again, many thanks."

****
hombredeciencia, 2009
"Esta canción se escuchó mucho en la costa norte de Colombia en los años 80s. Tiene un ritmo Bárbaro. todo un exitazo. This song on a lot on the north coast of Colombia in the 80s. Barbaro has a rhythm. everything a hit. where can I get the letter.

****
Herrick OCHOM, 2009
"I adore this lady so much that she remains me off my past while i was growing up kid in kampala in the mids 80s. where are you these days. beautifull musics and the voice..ooh my god.."

****
yankin, 2012
"a CLASSIC!"

****
ALEX CARLOS NUÑEZ SALVO, 2013
"this song in my city Barranquilla Colombia, was and will remain a success in folk dances. Mbilia Was there she knows."

****
Revocatus Nyefwe, 2013
"Every one at the age of 30 on in tanzania knows mbilia and we love her..........she used to stole all the night clubd performance and bits"

****
missevegee, 2013
"Its nice to hear that our beautiful mbilia is so appreciated by people outside congo. She is congo's dearest pride in music. She sings in Lingala which is the native language of the democratic republic of congo. I am planning to translate her music for all her non-congolese fans :)))"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele - "Independence Cha Cha" (information, example, & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of the song "Independence Cha Cha" composed by Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele and performed by the renown Congolese band "African Jazz". This post also information about Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele , information about the song "Independence Cha Cha", the English lyrics for that song, and selected comments from this sound file's YouTube viewer comment thread.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All content remain with their owners.

Thanks to Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele and the other musicians and singers featured on this record for their musical legacy. Thanks to the publisher of this sound file on Youtube and thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT JOSEPH "GRAND KALLE" KABASELE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Grand_Kall%C3%A9
"Joseph Athanase Tchamala Kabaselleh (16 December 1930 in Matadi, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) – 11 February 1983 in Paris, France), popularly known as Le Grand Kallé, was a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the father of modern Congolese music...

He came from a prominent Congolese family, which included Cardinal Joseph Malula[2] Kallé went to secondary school and became a typist at a succession of commercial firms in the capital of the Belgian Congo, Léopoldville.

In the early 1950s at a new recording studio called Opika he received an opportunity to pursue a career in music.[2][clarification needed] His first group was OTC, led by George Doula.[1]

In 1953, disillusioned with the lack of modernisation at OTC, he formed l'African Jazz which thought to be the most important Congolese band.[1] L'African Jazz was one of the most popular early African Rumba bands. At its height, L'African Jazz included big names like guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, saxophonist Manu Dibango and singers Tabu Ley Rochereau, Sam Mangwana and Pepe Kalle.[3]"...
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Grand_Kall%C3%A9_et_l%27African_Jazz for information about the band "African Jazz".

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "INDEPENDANCE CHA CHA"
From http://www.nationalanthems.us/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1103579751 written by Jan December 14, 2004
"The "Indépendance Cha-cha" was written by the famous Congolese Singer Joseph Kabasele (also known as Kabasele Kale) in 1959, when the Round Table talks about a future indepencence of the Belgian Congo were held in Brussels. In a half humorous, half political way, the author asks the politicians and political movements of his country to put their differences aside and to join their efforts to achieve independence.

The patriotic dancing song, which met the musical taste of many urban Congolese people in the dancing halls at that time, was performed for the first time in February 1960, about four months before the declaration of independence of the Congo took place on 30th June 1960. During the turbulent period after independence, it became a quintessential tune not only for Congo-Léopoldville, but also for whole Africa, which obtained independence during the early 1960s.

Sadly, Kabasele Kale's appeal for unity was not heared in the Congo, and the political differences soon led to a civil war."

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE
Grand Kalle - Independance Cha Cha



Sir82000, Uploaded on Jul 1, 2008
An old school track about my country's independance, enjoy the real african beat!

****
LYRICS: INDEPENDENCE CHA CHA (in English)
English translation version by Franklin Katunda

Ref: Independance cha-cha declared
Oh Freedom cha-cha we've conquered
At the Round Table they won
Oh Liberty cha-cha we've conquered!

1. Asoreco and Abako
United as one
Conakat and Cartel
had joined the Front commun.
Bolikango, Kasavubu, Lumumba and Kalondji
Bolya, Tshombe, Kamitatu, oh Essandja, and Elder Kanza.

2. The Mnc, the Ugeco
Abazi and Pdc
The Psa and African Jazz Band
were all victorious at the Round Table!

Note:
ASORECO, ABAKO, CONAKAT, CARTEL, FRONT COMMUN, MNC, PDC, UGECO, ABAZI and PSA were the Congolese political parties that participated at the Round Table. African Jazz was the Musical Band which originally performed the "Indépendance Cha-cha". Jean Bolikango, Paul Bolya, Moise Tshombe, Albert Kalondji, Cleophas Kamitatu, Essandja and Mbuta Daniel Kanza were leaders of political and/or separatist movements in Congo.

Patrice Lumumba was the first prime minister of the independent Congo (assassinated in January 1961) and Joseph Kasavubu was the first President of the Congo.

Source: http://www.nationalanthems.us/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1103579751 written by Jan December 14, 2004
-snip-
Click that link for lyrics for this song in Lingala (its original version) and in French.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE EMBEDDED VIDEO'S VIEWER COMMENT THREAD
These selected comments are presented in chronological order based on the year of their YouTube posting date. The oldest dates are given first. These comments may not be in consecutive order.

2008
yvesfrancois
perfect record, and a great homage to two of the greatest people (actually 3): grand kalle, patrice lumumba and docteur nico's excellent guitar solo (BTW: did you know that tabu ley is not on this record, but franco et ok jazz's vocalist vicky is), all the best, yves francois

****
2010
EYOMA1
God bless africa and this tune which stand for all african's countries independance day

****
2012
Eric Zadio
the african's rumba start.

**
ccrider
how Cuban records first got over to the Congo in the 30's and 40's who knows, but the link between Cuba and Africa can't be denied. Afro Cubano music developed on it's own across the Atlantic and then a few hundred years later it goes back and influenced Joseph Kabasele & African Jazz, which kicked off a whole new sound in the Congo and beyond. wonderful!

**
Didier J. MARY
06/30/1960 Congo's independence...

Here's, probably, the mother of all independence songs, by Joseph Kabasele Tshamala aka Grand Kalle.

**
PAM Genome
Certainly! one of the greatest Independence songs

**
ccrider
Dr Nico Kasanda on the guitar, he would go on to develop soukous music.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.