With all the threads with members expressing disdain for the Koffi and Cindy combo, I thought it'd be fitting to have thread, which broadens the discussion to established musicians making drastic changes in their careers with the addition of a chanteuse or a band, which led to a change of style.

If you look to the past to every Congolese artist with a long career, you'll find they've all made controversial changes, which, ultimately, kept them going or helped them adapt to times. A young energy source.

In the 90’s, there was King Kester, following his triumphant return to Kin, forming ‘Dream Team Dream Band’ and deciding to exclusively record in Kin. Even under difficult recording circumstances, he rose right back top of the hit parades. The group would go on to produce the some of the more 'pure' and long sebenes at the height of the dance period. Trend setting music for the common folk, rather than the more jazzy albums he released prior to his return; e.g 'Succès fou' and ‘Pas de contact'.
 
Around the same period, we saw the début of Wemba's 'Nouvelle écriture' and 'les Fioti Fioti', which was viewed as very controversial move by long-time, older/'Sapeur' Viva La Musica fans. Wemba's rational was that, though he had very loyal Viva members, they were getting older (e.g. Stino Mubi, Gloria, & Reddy), and they would not help him adapt to the younger sensations and dances. Of course there were also the strong allegations of Wemba being a big factor in the Wenge breakup.

Compare say the very Parisien 'Foridoles', rather, any Viva album from 1987-96, to the very rustic 'À la une Mwalimu', with the passionate singing from 'le meilleur Atalakou-chanteur' Alpatshino. Or the at times busy ‘Somo Trop’ with the silly, but entertaining Nkila Mongroso dance and unique guitar partitions. Bokul had to scream his mabanga over the young, lively lineup of Mongratana/Biscuit des écoliers/Bob Djamusket/Deo SFR "Meilleur Drummer de la Afrique”. In the years following the ’Ngulu’ affairs, we saw Wemba gradually stop promoting and touring with 'Nouvelle écriture', becoming basically a solo artist supported by European session musicians.

In the mid 80's, Tabu Ley loyalists were unhappy during the Ley/Bel period, when Rochereau seemingly had Mbilia Bel singing all his songs at concerts. Later it was a similar case for Faya Tess. Following that, in the early 90s, we saw Tabu Ley return to being a solo artist with Afrisa.

With Franco, loyalists were initially unhappy with ‘Le Pigeon voyageur' Sam Mangwana being able to leave and return to TPOK and still having a top singing spot. Then there was mid-80's criticism of the new and young Madilu becoming Franco's clear favorite over well established and liked Ntesa/Josky/Djo Mpoyi etc. Franco followed Rochereau and got a chanteuse, Jolie Detta, who shied away from fame. Lastly, fans were worried in 1987 when he decided to record the very ominous SIDA song with young sensations and rival Victoria Eleison to reach a younger audience.

Koffi & Cindy consistently brings out negative emotions from people who are fans of the 'old' Koffi 1980s  —> about 2007-08 . The artist who had an established and familiar formula, which led to success after success, even with numerous lineup changes. Arguably, and much to the, frankly, dislike many of us and original fans, Koffi is still as relevant as he was 20 years ago with Cindy at the helm and his last minute, but viral ‘Selfie’.

One point I will raise is that Koffi is starting to realize that people no longer care for his current rumba née Tcha Tcho; what helped him attain prominence early in his career. At his African tour concerts, he only plays what the occasion listener remembers (Selfie with an encore or two, Andrada, Loi, Effrakata, maybe Magie), rather than (Ngolbila, Diva, Zero Faute, Babou, Chemin de La Vie, Fouta Djallon, SOS, Silvi, the list goes on).

For some it it was addition a new singer, for others a new, younger band. These young energy sources, kept them going, but eventually, as history proves, the leaders grow out of it and break away. Thoughts?

With all the threads with members expressing disdain for the Koffi and Cindy combo, I thought it'd be fitting to have thread, which broadens the discussion to established musicians making drastic changes in their careers with the addition of a chanteuse or a band, which led to a change of style.

If you look to the past to every Congolese artist with a long career, you'll find they've all made controversial changes, which, ultimately, kept them going or helped them adapt to times. A young energy source.

In the 90’s, there was King Kester, following his triumphant return to Kin, forming ‘Dream Team Dream Band’ and deciding to exclusively record in Kin. Even under difficult recording circumstances, he rose right back top of the hit parades. The group would go on to produce the some of the more 'pure' and long sebenes at the height of the dance period. Trend setting music for the common folk, rather than the more jazzy albums he released prior to his return; e.g 'Succès fou' and ‘Pas de contact'.
 
Around the same period, we saw the début of Wemba's 'Nouvelle écriture' and 'les Fioti Fioti', which was viewed as very controversial move by long-time, older/'Sapeur' Viva La Musica fans. Wemba's rational was that, though he had very loyal Viva members, they were getting older (e.g. Stino Mubi, Gloria, & Reddy), and they would not help him adapt to the younger sensations and dances. Of course there were also the strong allegations of Wemba being a big factor in the Wenge breakup.

Compare say the very Parisien 'Foridoles', rather, any Viva album from 1987-96, to the very rustic 'À la une Mwalimu', with the passionate singing from 'le meilleur Atalakou-chanteur' Alpatshino. Or the at times busy ‘Somo Trop’ with the silly, but entertaining Nkila Mongroso dance and unique guitar partitions. Bokul had to scream his mabanga over the young, lively lineup of Mongratana/Biscuit des écoliers/Bob Djamusket/Deo SFR "Meilleur Drummer de la Afrique”. In the years following the ’Ngulu’ affairs, we saw Wemba gradually stop promoting and touring with 'Nouvelle écriture', becoming basically a solo artist supported by European session musicians.

In the mid 80's, Tabu Ley loyalists were unhappy during the Ley/Bel period, when Rochereau seemingly had Mbilia Bel singing all his songs at concerts. Later it was a similar case for Faya Tess. Following that, in the early 90s, we saw Tabu Ley return to being a solo artist with Afrisa.

With Franco, loyalists were initially unhappy with ‘Le Pigeon voyageur' Sam Mangwana being able to leave and return to TPOK and still having a top singing spot. Then there was mid-80's criticism of the new and young Madilu becoming Franco's clear favorite over well established and liked Ntesa/Josky/Djo Mpoyi etc. Franco followed Rochereau and got a chanteuse, Jolie Detta, who shied away from fame. Lastly, fans were worried in 1987 when he decided to record the very ominous SIDA song with young sensations and rival Victoria Eleison to reach a younger audience.

Koffi & Cindy consistently brings out negative emotions from people who are fans of the 'old' Koffi 1980s  —> about 2007-08 . The artist who had an established and familiar formula, which led to success after success, even with numerous lineup changes. Arguably, and much to the, frankly, dislike many of us and original fans, Koffi is still as relevant as he was 20 years ago with Cindy at the helm and his last minute, but viral ‘Selfie’.

One point I will raise is that Koffi is starting to realize that people no longer care for his current rumba née Tcha Tcho; what helped him attain prominence early in his career. At his African tour concerts, he only plays what the occasion listener remembers (Selfie with an encore or two, Andrada, Loi, Effrakata, maybe Magie), rather than (Ngolbila, Diva, Zero Faute, Babou, Chemin de La Vie, Fouta Djallon, SOS, Silvi, the list goes on).

For some it it was addition a new singer, for others a new, younger band. These young energy sources, kept them going, but eventually, as history proves, the leaders grow out of it and break away. Thoughts?