Books who are sold through internet are mostly books about the history of Congolese music, but not biographies focused on one person, for example Rumba on the River, The Politics of Dance Music in Mobutu’s Zaire, etc
Yes working in some good hotel or being a driver for a good company in London can earn you more than being in any band in Congo. Some of these basic jobs actually pay more than most high paying jobs in Africa. I have a friend who is Director of a department in a big INGO, the wife who works for a hotel in London as a chef earns more than him. The downside is that it is also expensive out there but these guys rent places as a group and hence share accommodation, bills and food costs. However, it eats into time they need to invest in building their music careers. Hence Caferoum really needs to quickly get back after raising some money, otherwise he will mess up his career if he gets comfortable playing once in a while in clubs and parties.
I think Merveille Ya Mado formerly of Villa Nova is a dance instructor. Any videos of the guys who have remained in Europe?
yeah exactly i always said to myself the day a spot is available for solo in maison mere it would be either alfred or mayi ya nkamba but i think alfred will not accept leaving session work,the guy plays easily 20 albums every year in studio,be it "popular" music or gospel and gets paid as a session artist i doubt he'll accept going back to groups where weeks and months can be extremely different money wise
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