Quote from: faithandwar on February 21, 2018, 19:34Woah at this thread. This is all too shocking to me. It's pretty much corruption at every level. This is the first time i'm hearing about these practices of punishing band members in such a way physically and financially. Does this happen in 90% of our Congolese bands? Plus how do you know so much insider info? Congolese culture revolves heavily on what Franco called “les on dits” or gossip. If something happens, someone will talk or it will be caught on tape. These events happen in many bands, but everything (especially fights) are to another level in Maison Mère due to all the hot heads that have passed through the group. I blame Werra in part because though he publicly tries to be a hands off guy... in every situation he’s usually instigating in the background via Sankara and co
Woah at this thread. This is all too shocking to me. It's pretty much corruption at every level. This is the first time i'm hearing about these practices of punishing band members in such a way physically and financially. Does this happen in 90% of our Congolese bands? Plus how do you know so much insider info?
Does anyone know if any of the original bands members are getting royalties from their previous work with Maison Mere? Or is it's a foreign concept to them?
It also sounds like Japonais had a huge part in arranging the music and left with nothing except gifts. Did I read that right?
Quote from: faithandwar on February 21, 2018, 21:19 Does anyone know if any of the original bands members are getting royalties from their previous work with Maison Mere? Or is it's a foreign concept to them? lol, no. That's royalites is a foreign langage to MM ex-members. They were barely getting scrap payments in the band. If it weren't for benevolent donors, most would have had nothing to really live on.Early on Ferre and the rest were walking long distances to concerts, while Werra was being chauffered in Benzes. Meanwhile, they were the ones who made Maison Mère what it is. Whith out them, Werra would have left DRC in 1998 and settled in Montreal, Canada, no longer a musician. Quote It also sounds like Japonais had a huge part in arranging the music and left with nothing except gifts. Did I read that right? Yup. You read that right.
Quote from: Matebu on February 21, 2018, 21:29Quote from: faithandwar on February 21, 2018, 21:19 Does anyone know if any of the original bands members are getting royalties from their previous work with Maison Mere? Or is it's a foreign concept to them? lol, no. That's royalites is a foreign langage to MM ex-members. They were barely getting scrap payments in the band. If it weren't for benevolent donors, most would have had nothing to really live on.Early on Ferre and the rest were walking long distances to concerts, while Werra was being chauffered in Benzes. Meanwhile, they were the ones who made Maison Mère what it is. Whith out them, Werra would have left DRC in 1998 and settled in Montreal, Canada, no longer a musician. Quote It also sounds like Japonais had a huge part in arranging the music and left with nothing except gifts. Did I read that right? Yup. You read that right.THE HELL?!Ugh, sorry for the excessive questions but there's just an overwhelming of information on this board. Thanks. I had no clue Werra azalaki lokoso ya mbongo. It's upsetting but really unsurprising considering the corruption at every angle. Is there a thread on the specifics of how business works between artists and distribution/record deals? Specifically Diego Music, Sonodisc and JPS? Because I know people are still buying these albums, it's more on how much if these artists are given for royalties and if they're given at all. And considering that Kabila is bribing musicians I'm guessing it's very little. Plus piracy is at an all time high in DRC. Where the hell is the Prime Minister of Music?
@MatebuI could be wrong, but most artist within these big group like QL, Wenge, and so on make their living from saving the payment recieved from touring, mabangas, and their membership salary.
@mvulusi96I totally forgot about Coco Kiandia, I had no idea he settled in Canada! His run with the group was so short. What was the deal with Kilimanjaro? There was some hype about him joining Wenge BCBG but nothing came from it. And is he really related to Bill "Clinton" Kalonji?@mvulusi96Baby should have joined Les Marquis, his career would have likely went on better. Even though the band was short lived, all the main members got a career boost to pursue other things because their songs were very popular. Ferre Gola slowly became a Rhumba master (100 Kilos & Amour intérêt), Bill Clinton expanded his craft beyond just animation (Vous me reverrez), and JDT (Ecole & Eric Gwenye) really got to showcase his songwriting skills. I'm sure Baby would have been able to tease some of his potential as a solo artist just as well as the others. Can't forget about Serge, his song Mariage is among my favorite!@Manzambi94Kakol is definately a unique kind of bully, his insolence has almost no restraint. Probably the only person he didn't mess with directly was JDT, I've heard that he could fight very well.
@MatebuI have a few more questions regarding A La Queue Leu Leu, did Otis Lumumba play guitar alongside Japonais and Flamme Kapaya on the album? I know he toured with Wenge Musica Masion Mere, so it's possible he may have played on the album.Lastly, whatever became of Guylian Mpungi? Was he a rhythm guitarist or mi-soloist? His run with Wenge Musica was very short, I suppose Werrason decided that he didn't need three guitarist.
In case you were wondering, here is the tell-all interview. Baby's tone and body language is of someone who doesn't give a damn who his ex-boss is