Congo Vibes

Music => Congolese Music => Topic started by: NEWSIDE96 on June 29, 2014, 12:36

Title: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: NEWSIDE96 on June 29, 2014, 12:36
I've been watching many interviews of Koffi and I would like to know why he does not admit that Papa wemba bought him out in Viva la musica? every single time he gets this question he panics and claims papa wemba did not bring him out
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on June 29, 2014, 12:55
It's sheer stupidity and ingratitude but it's normal amongst musicians. He joined Papa Wemba as a guitarist and composer but Papa Wemba told him he could actually sing and tried him out,good results came and later the man got the wings and tried out singing and that was how he abandoned guitar so maybe it's that fact he doesn't want to admit, he considers himself multi talented so maybe he doesn't feel Papa Wemba contributed to his success infact on the album Attentat he insulted Papa Wemba by saying he(Koffi) is the one who made Papa Wemba who he is today. ;D
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on June 29, 2014, 16:36
DJ Sly, correct me if I’m wrong, I heard Koffi used to write hits for Papa wemba, is that accurate? If that correct, I can understand why he never acknowledge that his success came from Wemba.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: archos on June 29, 2014, 16:40
yes he used to write a lot for wemba and in return wemba promoted him and gave him space on stage
i 'd say both benefited from each other,but koffi's ego does not support being  labelled  a guy who got himself a neme under wemba before starting his own career whereas in contrary wemba accepts that koffi wrote for him in the past
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on June 29, 2014, 17:06
yes he used to write a lot for wemba and in return wemba promoted him and gave him space on stage
i 'd say both benefited from each other,but koffi's ego does not support being  labelled  a guy who got himself a neme under wemba before starting his own career whereas in contrary wemba accepts that koffi wrote for him in the past

Because of success, he think is untouchable.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on June 29, 2014, 23:20
DJ Sly, correct me if I’m wrong, I heard Koffi used to write hits for Papa wemba, is that accurate? If that correct, I can understand why he never acknowledge that his success came from Wemba.
Archos has put it well however, Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba, it's just a few songs just like the case of Wazekwa who as a student composed a few songs in his pastime and gave them to Koffi before becoming a musician himself.
Koffi probably played a major role in arranging some Papa Wemba songs way back in the days because he was a guitarist and could sing well enough but he will never acknowledge that Papa Wemba also helped him to be known because if koffi had stayed a guitarist maybe we wouldn't have known.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: JV “Lone Ranger” on June 30, 2014, 01:47
complexe...is a congolese thing ;)
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: KAISARI on June 30, 2014, 03:27
I think it's the other way around, Koffi is a singer (who can write and compose his own songs and play guitar as well)whom like Wemba looked up to his Idol Tabu Ley
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: mvulusi96 on June 30, 2014, 09:04
DJ Sly, correct me if I’m wrong, I heard Koffi used to write hits for Papa wemba, is that accurate? If that correct, I can understand why he never acknowledge that his success came from Wemba.
Archos has put it well however, Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba, it's just a few songs just like the case of Wazekwa who as a student composed a few songs in his pastime and gave them to Koffi before becoming a musician himself.
Koffi probably played a major role in arranging some Papa Wemba songs way back in the days because he was a guitarist and could sing well enough but he will never acknowledge that Papa Wemba also helped him to be known because if koffi had stayed a guitarist maybe we wouldn't have known.
Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba ?????
Yo ozalaki na l'heure wana pona koloba likambo yango.....
80 % of all songs from 1977 till 1979  of Papa Wemba were written by Koffi Olomide
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on June 30, 2014, 16:44
I think Koffi have right not to acknowledge Papa Wemba, deep inside he knew from beginning that is better than Papa Wemba, and we all know how success he became. I know that people been say that if wasn't for Papa Wemba we wouldn't have known Koffi, I kind disagree with that, Dude was too talent.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: NEWSIDE96 on June 30, 2014, 17:16
Pamba let's be honest Koffi was a guitarist and a songwriter he was never singing until Papa wemba and King kester told him to sing (especially with the training of King kester koffi became a proper singer) yes he handed viva la musica and papa wemba big services for songwriting but Koffi has to acknowledge papa wemba for bring him out many others
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on June 30, 2014, 17:50
Pamba let's be honest Koffi was a guitarist and a songwriter he was never singing until Papa wemba and King kester told him to sing (especially with the training of King kester koffi became a proper singer) yes he handed viva la musica and papa wemba big services for songwriting but Koffi has to acknowledge papa wemba for bring him out many others

I totally agree with you! However, you know those two don’t like each other! Did Papa Wemba ever came out and acknowledge Koffi? I always think we criticize koffi a lot for no reason.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: NEWSIDE96 on June 30, 2014, 18:17
Yes one interview he said I give koffi respect because he know the history of viva la musica
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on June 30, 2014, 18:32
Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba ?????
Yo ozalaki na l'heure wana pona koloba likambo yango.....
80 % of all songs from 1977 till 1979  of Papa Wemba were written by Koffi Olomide
Yes i was definitely a youngster between 1977 and 1979 when Koffi as a student was composing songs for established artists at the time including Papa Wemba but the fact remains he has not stated how many songs he composed for Papa Wemba neither has Papa Wemba has done ,this remains a contentious issue as far as the two artists are concerned but we know for a fact that yes,Papa Wemba does not play any instrument but he is a master at singing ,almost a perfectionist when at it. History also tells us Koffi had no success when he launched his solo career till he was featured by an established Papa Wemba in some duets on vocals,that's when he was taken seriously as a singer otherwise he was a guitarist and talented composer,a new kid on the block. Yes,Koffi composed some songs for Wemba but Wemba was a successful and established musician so it is actually Koffi who benefitted most by gaining some exposure after being featured by Wemba,i think we can't run away from this fact.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on June 30, 2014, 21:08
Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba ?????
Yo ozalaki na l'heure wana pona koloba likambo yango.....
80 % of all songs from 1977 till 1979  of Papa Wemba were written by Koffi Olomide
Yes i was definitely a youngster between 1977 and 1979 when Koffi as a student was composing songs for established artists at the time including Papa Wemba but the fact remains he has not stated how many songs he composed for Papa Wemba neither has Papa Wemba has done ,this remains a contentious issue as far as the two artists are concerned but we know for a fact that yes,Papa Wemba does not play any instrument but he is a master at singing ,almost a perfectionist when at it. History also tells us Koffi had no success when he launched his solo career till he was featured by an established Papa Wemba in some duets on vocals,that's when he was taken seriously as a singer otherwise he was a guitarist and talented composer,a new kid on the block. Yes,Koffi composed some songs for Wemba but Wemba was a successful and established musician so it is actually Koffi who benefitted most by gaining some exposure after being featured by Wemba,i think we can't run away from this fact.


Master of singing? DJ SLY! I don’t think papa wemba is better singer than Koffi (my opinion) if we look at their achievements, you ill get the answer who is better singer.  Papa Wemba was established singer (not great singer) when Koffi joined the group.  We all know it’s normally for musicians to start somewhere; there are very few artists who came without any kind help, so I don’t think it’s a big deal. (We see this movement often now in Congolese music group)  Even though Papa Wemba was established singer before Koffi, the fact remain Kofii is better than Papa Wemba in every category, and I hope we are not going to compare the two.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on June 30, 2014, 21:18
Pamba, my only argument is about who helped who to reach stardom. Papa Wemba was already a popular figure with a new kind of music when Koffi as a student was just composing and supplying songs here and there.
Koffi became known after doing some duets with Papa Wemba but still that doesn't mean Koffi wouldn't have been popular.
As to who is a better singer between the two,it's a matter of taste, they are in different vocal categories and do different styles of music so it's like comparing guavas to oranges.

On success and wealth, both are very successful musicians but yes, Koffi is the 4th richest musician in africa whilst Papa Wemba doesn't even make it on the 10th richest musicians in Africa but Papa Wemba is definitely not a poor man infact those who know the story will say it's koffi who contributed to Papa Wemba's downfall and JB Mpiana would have suffered the same fate,don't wanna go much into that, am sure you know what Koffi is alleged to have done to Wemba and JB Mpiana.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: NEWSIDE96 on June 30, 2014, 21:27
 :D :D :D Koffi copies the way papa wemba and king kester sings and now your saying his better. By the way Koffi is an excellent musician who has been totally consistent through-out the last 15 years but maitre d'ecole c'est papa wemba
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: mvulusi96 on July 01, 2014, 00:21
Koffi did not compose that many songs for Papa Wemba ?????
Yo ozalaki na l'heure wana pona koloba likambo yango.....
80 % of all songs from 1977 till 1979  of Papa Wemba were written by Koffi Olomide
Yes i was definitely a youngster between 1977 and 1979 when Koffi as a student was composing songs for established artists at the time including Papa Wemba but the fact remains he has not stated how many songs he composed for Papa Wemba neither has Papa Wemba has done ,this remains a contentious issue as far as the two artists are concerned but we know for a fact that yes,Papa Wemba does not play any instrument but he is a master at singing ,almost a perfectionist when at it. History also tells us Koffi had no success when he launched his solo career till he was featured by an established Papa Wemba in some duets on vocals,that's when he was taken seriously as a singer otherwise he was a guitarist and talented composer,a new kid on the block. Yes,Koffi composed some songs for Wemba but Wemba was a successful and established musician so it is actually Koffi who benefitted most by gaining some exposure after being featured by Wemba,i think we can't run away from this fact.

Wemba was not that famous how you think. It was Wemba who benefitted from the most from the songs. Because nobody though that he would succeed in the Congolese Music-Industry, when he was fired from Yoka Lokole. The songs Mere Suprieure (who became the best song of year 1977) and Ebale Mbonge who were written by Koffi made him a real star.

Wemba himself stated that the most songs from the period 1977-1979 were written by Koffi Olomide. It was Wemba who did benefit from the songs that Koffi wrote for him and not Koffi, Koffi did benefit nothing from Wemba , which made his family angry. Wemba did benefit a lot because he was not that famous how you think. Nobody though that he would succeed in the Congolese Music-Industry, when he was fired from Yoka Lokole. He even wanted to rejoin Zaiko Langa Langa. But it were the fans who puched him to create Viva La Musica and it were the songs Mere Suprieure (who became the best song of year 1977) and Ebale Mbonge who made him(both written by Koffi Olomide).
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: archos on July 01, 2014, 00:52
the fact koffi did not sing his songs himself at first say a lot,yes bokul had success with koffi songs,but it would be unfair not to admit that wemba made his name known before he started a proper career
it was a win-win situation(at that time songs were not sold like it is today otherwise koffi would be seriously rich even before ceating quartier latin)
the only difference between what both gave each other is that the contribution of koffi to wemba can be clearly identified( its songs and thats it),whereas in the case of wemba you have to try to know how things happened in molokai and the way they assisted koffi in his first records and so on
there is absolutely nothing humiliating in that for koffi,for wemba neither
it they used their mind properly,they'd be deeply proud of each other
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: mvulusi96 on July 01, 2014, 01:51
I wonder what Wemba did give to Koffi. Because Wemba did have nothing at that time compared to Koffi, who was living in Europe and giving except songs also clothes to Wemba and other musicians of Viva La Musica.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: archos on July 01, 2014, 09:17
it what i said earlier,koffi was giving his "pire vieux" songs  for free( a bit like recently mabiala to werra,kibens to jb...),not selling them like it is today;but in return at some point they were giving him the molokai ideology,they sang his songs for him(synza and co) whithout asking him any money
it was an honour for koffi to give songs to wemba
the fact he regretted not having got money is a bit like what happens with grouip members today they arrive as fans  and dont care about anything but when they have grown up,they start claimin a good monthly salary,bonuses and so on
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on July 01, 2014, 13:29
Mvulusi, the benefits between the dual Papa Wemba and Koffi were mutual. It would be madness to say that Papa Wemba would not be where he is today had it not been for koffi or vice versa,both helped each other. Papa Wemba having fallen out with with others and being kicked out wouldn't have meant the end of his career or success wouldn't have been guaranteed for him. Madilu fell out with Papa Lutumba,Josky and Pepe Ndombe when Franco died, he wanted to be the leader of TPOK Jzaa and Franco's family was right behind him, in the end,Madilu was isolated, he went solo and still became successful even with most of his songs being written and composed/arranged by people like Shiko Mawatu,Nyboma etc, he still became successful, this was the case with Papa Wemba,he was and he still is a great singer and many singers today look up to him infact most of the modern bands somehow have some roots in Papa Wemba / Viva La Musica DNA.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Pamba on July 01, 2014, 15:43
I’m totally i agree with everything said here, but, my point to me is Koffi don’t need to acknowledge Papa Wemba, if he feel that I better than him, that kudos to him, doesn't mean anything to others.  But, I will tell you this Koffi is very popular outside Congo up to now. (Way more than Wemba) Sometime I want to go far by saying its almost 50/50 to Franco may be more. I think you can make that argument.

DJ Sly! I’m sure you got that name because your involvement with music (DJ).  I used to be Dj, (still I’m, more for fan now) mp point!  it doesn't matter what koffi song you play, people always going nuts, we talking about average music lover, this applying to Franco. I’m not Congolese but I know most of these wenge clan leaders/Wazekwa/Karma pa and many more were trying to copy koffi.  People don’t copy your style if you nobody, and Koffi knows about this, that’s why is so cocky, but he earned it.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: SLY PAPA NA KEVIN on July 01, 2014, 17:03
I’m totally i agree with everything said here, but, my point to me is Koffi don’t need to acknowledge Papa Wemba, if he feel that I better than him, that kudos to him, doesn't mean anything to others.  But, I will tell you this Koffi is very popular outside Congo up to now. (Way more than Wemba) Sometime I want to go far by saying its almost 50/50 to Franco may be more. I think you can make that argument.

DJ Sly! I’m sure you got that name because your involvement with music (DJ).  I used to be Dj, (still I’m, more for fan now) mp point!  it doesn't matter what koffi song you play, people always going nuts, we talking about average music lover, this applying to Franco. I’m not Congolese but I know most of these wenge clan leaders/Wazekwa/Karma pa and many more were trying to copy koffi.  People don’t copy your style if you nobody, and Koffi knows about this, that’s why is so cocky, but he earned it.
The original poster made it clear in their question and I quote their words again ''I've been watching many interviews of Koffi and I would like to know why he does not admit that Papa wemba bought him out in Viva la musica? every single time he gets this question he panics and claims papa wemba did not bring him out.''   
To me,the original poster has stated that Papa Wemba gave Koffi Olomide chance to be known by others by his mere association with Papa Wemba and Papa Wemba's band Viva La Musica where he started as a guitarist and contributing composer. Yes, it would be wrong to say Koffi would not be where he is today had Papa Wemba not been involved or vice versa,we all do not know our destiny because it is God who blesses.
Both Koffi and Papa Wemba are excellent singers/musicians and yes Koffi is more wealthy and popular than Wemba but that doesn't mean Papa Wemba is not wealthy and popular worldwide. Koffi does not need to acknowledge that Wemba helped him at some point neither does Wemba need to admit that Koffi composed some songs for him,they all did their work professionally and that's that.

We can also take the example of an artist like Ferre Gola who is well known to be a great singer but does not compose his own songs, the guy is a very popular but we would be stupid to say Ferre would not be where he is had it not been for El Dorado's help......... just because Eldorado composed 6 or 10 songs for him. People love the singer and his voice and how he entertains not how he composes his music.
Title: Re: QUESTION BLOGGERS
Post by: Kibombanda on July 04, 2014, 10:19
Koffi olomide has   too much pride and arrogance, period!