King Kester Emeneya - Nzinzi (1987)



Wenge Musica 4x4 - Kin E Bouge (1991)



Werrason - Kibuisa Mpimpa (2001)



Fally Ipupa - Droit Chemin (2006)

It would be interesting if you tell us why
By exemple Kibuisa is a very dope album, probably his best but why is it one of the most influencable?

Interesting. I think I can pinpoint the respective influences each album had.


While Emeneya wasn't the first Congolese artist to use synthesisers and drum machines in his music (Franco and Papa Wemba had done so before him on Na Lingaka Yo Te, Proclamation and Siku Ya Mungu respectively and Zaiko had a full-time keyboardist playing with them), Nzinzi was the album that made it cool for other Congolese artists to use synthesised instruments and/or work with keyboardists/arrangers/programmers like Manu Lima and Philippe Guez. For bonus points, the songs on that album were arranged in a style influenced by Western pop music at the time.

Wenge Musica had already achieved success by the turn of the decade, but Kin E Bouge was groundbreaking. Suddenly, the veterans who had become overshadowed by these comparatively young men tried to compete with them and the youngsters wanted to play music like Wenge. The band themselves changed the way financial rewards operated, i.e. everyone wanted a luxury car because of them, but that's another story.

With Kibuisa Mpimpa, Werrason proved that he could not only release an excellent album under his own name but he also strayed outside the Congolese music area and played with other genres. Hip hop, salsa, reggae, a bit of jazz. That's when listeners started noticing that our artists can be musically versatile.

Droit Chemin changed the musical landscape the way Kin E Bouge changed it. Before that album, the Congolese music environment was band-oriented. Singers like Aimelia Lias, Suzuki and Guy Guy Fall learnt the hard way that they wouldn't make it if they stayed solo. Fally Ipupa was one of the most popular members of Quartier Latin, so this lessened the surprise that came with Droit Chemin's success. This album convinced anyone that going solo is the more viable option, and since then, we haven't seen another band shake things up like Wenge and Zaiko did.


I tried @mvulusi96, how did I do? Am I close enough?

Yeah, that was what I wanted to say about Nzinzi, Kin E Bouge and Droit Chemin. About Kin E Bouge, I wanted to ad that they came with another style of sebene, because before that you had only 2 styles of playing sebenes (besides that of Afrisa & OK Jazz). You had the style of Zaiko (Popolipo/Tshimpaka) and that of Viva La Musica (Rigo Star/Huits Kilo/Bongo Wende). They came also with another style of drumming, because before that he had only 3 styles that of Djudjuchet and those of Viva La Musica (Awilo, Richacha, Patcho Star, Otis,...) by using the charlestone alot, the style of Ilo Pablo and Meridjo Belobi and the one of Afrisa which they call Soumdjoum (Seskain Molenga).

About Kibuisa Mpimpa, it changed and influenced like Kin E Bouge the way to play sebene. With from then all streetbands taking it over and other styles being seen as to old.

Then about Droit Chemin I wanted to add that the song Orgasy inspired alot artists to record songs about sex. I think that the songs Nyokalesse, Katagourouma, 3eme Doigt, Cheval, Mosisi are the best in that category. Songs like Kidiamfuka and Prince of Southfork inspired alot artists to record songs with acoustic guitars.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Notice that, popolipo used a similare rift in familia dei’s santu

5:17


6:20


So emeneya is the first artist of congo who worked with phillipe guez?

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Notice that, popolipo used a similare rift in familia dei’s santu

5:17


6:20


So emeneya is the first artist of congo who worked with phillipe guez?

6:20



Sorry

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Notice that, popolipo used a similare rift in familia dei’s santu

5:17


6:20


So emeneya is the first artist of congo who worked with phillipe guez?

No, it’s Koffi Olomide who started working with him since Koeweit Ruve Gauche after a conflict with Manu Lima. The guy who arranged Nzinzi is Guy Waku. The same Guy was the guy who did those r&b vocals in Wemba’s song Okoningana.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Notice that, popolipo used a similare rift in familia dei’s santu

5:17


6:20


So emeneya is the first artist of congo who worked with phillipe guez?

No, it’s Koffi Olomide who started working with him since Koeweit Ruve Gauche after a conflict with Manu Lima. The guy who arranged Nzinzi is Guy Waku. The same Guy was the guy who did those r&b vocals in Wemba’s song Okoningana.

What happened between Koffi and Manu Lima back then?

There were problems about those copyrights. Manu Lima found that he had the right to be credited as composer of all songs of the albums Elle et Moi, Henriquet and some of Prissoniers Dorment which created a conflict between both artists. Back in 2000 before during a pressconference before Quartier Latin 14th anniversary, a journalist asked a question about that Koffi with Koffi replying that Manu just had to shut his mouth.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Don't forget that Maika Munan arranged Fally Ipupa's album. The man who made Foridoles, Ziggy, Prudence, Pole Position, Nouvelle Ecriture, Loi, Prissonier Dorment, etc.

It was a big mistake from JC Tshituka to use programmed drums on Moudoungou & Marents with Koffi making it worser by re-recording the sebenes in Europe which made the transition from the song to the sebene sounding not natural. For me they had just to let Danger de Mort the way they recorded in Kinshasa.

Moudoungou was the only song of Danger de Mort, that I didn't like. The theme of the song was good, but they messed the song up my singing the chorus fast "vie eza pete te.." or something like that. It smees that Felly wasn't really motivated by playing lead on both of the those songs. If Koffi hadn't alot of respect for Felly then he would had lost his spot as first lead-guitartist of the band to Mbetenge Domingo who arranged that album and made the concept of the generique, but being unlucky to be left behind in Kinshasa with the solo's being re-recorded in Paris.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Don't forget that Maika Munan arranged Fally Ipupa's album. The man who made Foridoles, Ziggy, Prudence, Pole Position, Nouvelle Ecriture, Loi, Prissonier Dorment, etc.

It was a big mistake from JC Tshituka to use programmed drums on Moudoungou & Marents with Koffi making it worser by re-recording the sebenes in Europe which made the transition from the song to the sebene sounding not natural. For me they had just to let Danger de Mort the way they recorded in Kinshasa.

Moudoungou was the only song of Danger de Mort, that I didn't like. The theme of the song was good, but they messed the song up my singing the chorus fast "vie eza pete te.." or something like that. It smees that Felly wasn't really motivated by playing lead on both of the those songs. If Koffi hadn't alot of respect for Felly then he would had lost his spot as first lead-guitartist of the band to Mbetenge Domingo who arranged that album and made the concept of the generique, but being unlucky to be left behind in Kinshasa with the solo's being re-recorded in Paris.

I was so disappointed with Danger de Mort, I felt it was overhyped with the way they were talking about it I was expecting another Droit de Veto, Force de Frappe & Affaire D'etat. I was also disappointed that they erased Asso and Mirages vocals I wanted to hear more from them since longitima, I also wanted to hear more from Brigade but same thing they all got their vocals replaced by Modogo, Bouro and Mboshi (not that I'm complaining). Asso I think it was just honestly bad luck that Modogo returned otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have been left behind since him and Mirage were starting to get promoted more I was really disappointed he got left behind.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Don't forget that Maika Munan arranged Fally Ipupa's album. The man who made Foridoles, Ziggy, Prudence, Pole Position, Nouvelle Ecriture, Loi, Prissonier Dorment, etc.

It was a big mistake from JC Tshituka to use programmed drums on Moudoungou & Marents with Koffi making it worser by re-recording the sebenes in Europe which made the transition from the song to the sebene sounding not natural. For me they had just to let Danger de Mort the way they recorded in Kinshasa.

Moudoungou was the only song of Danger de Mort, that I didn't like. The theme of the song was good, but they messed the song up my singing the chorus fast "vie eza pete te.." or something like that. It smees that Felly wasn't really motivated by playing lead on both of the those songs. If Koffi hadn't alot of respect for Felly then he would had lost his spot as first lead-guitartist of the band to Mbetenge Domingo who arranged that album and made the concept of the generique, but being unlucky to be left behind in Kinshasa with the solo's being re-recorded in Paris.

I was so disappointed with Danger de Mort, I felt it was overhyped with the way they were talking about it I was expecting another Droit de Veto, Force de Frappe & Affaire D'etat. I was also disappointed that they erased Asso and Mirages vocals I wanted to hear more from them since longitima, I also wanted to hear more from Brigade but same thing they all got their vocals replaced by Modogo, Bouro and Mboshi (not that I'm complaining). Asso I think it was just honestly bad luck that Modogo returned otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have been left behind since him and Mirage were starting to get promoted more I was really disappointed he got left behind.

I love just love Danger de Mort... (except Moudoungou) but everybody has his own taste.

Shella Mputu was lucky that Sam Tshintu didn't accpet Koffi's offer to return. Otherwise they would leave him behind in Kinshasa and erase his vocals like Asso. I remember those rumors of people saying they would leave Shella behind in Kinshasa and  weeks later those QL-fans being surprised to see Shella in Paris.

Talking about orgasy, to me its hands down best fally’s song. The popolipo sound its just perfect + the chorus & its got me frustrated because i’d b like « how tf droit chemin have great arranged song like this & we have weak ass songs like martens or mougoundou in danger de mort ? »

Don't forget that Maika Munan arranged Fally Ipupa's album. The man who made Foridoles, Ziggy, Prudence, Pole Position, Nouvelle Ecriture, Loi, Prissonier Dorment, etc.

It was a big mistake from JC Tshituka to use programmed drums on Moudoungou & Marents with Koffi making it worser by re-recording the sebenes in Europe which made the transition from the song to the sebene sounding not natural. For me they had just to let Danger de Mort the way they recorded in Kinshasa.

Moudoungou was the only song of Danger de Mort, that I didn't like. The theme of the song was good, but they messed the song up my singing the chorus fast "vie eza pete te.." or something like that. It smees that Felly wasn't really motivated by playing lead on both of the those songs. If Koffi hadn't alot of respect for Felly then he would had lost his spot as first lead-guitartist of the band to Mbetenge Domingo who arranged that album and made the concept of the generique, but being unlucky to be left behind in Kinshasa with the solo's being re-recorded in Paris.

I was so disappointed with Danger de Mort, I felt it was overhyped with the way they were talking about it I was expecting another Droit de Veto, Force de Frappe & Affaire D'etat. I was also disappointed that they erased Asso and Mirages vocals I wanted to hear more from them since longitima, I also wanted to hear more from Brigade but same thing they all got their vocals replaced by Modogo, Bouro and Mboshi (not that I'm complaining). Asso I think it was just honestly bad luck that Modogo returned otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have been left behind since him and Mirage were starting to get promoted more I was really disappointed he got left behind.

I love just love Danger de Mort... (except Moudoungou) but everybody has his own taste.

Shella Mputu was lucky that Sam Tshintu didn't accpet Koffi's offer to return. Otherwise they would leave him behind in Kinshasa and erase his vocals like Asso. I remember those rumors of people saying they would leave Shella behind in Kinshasa and  weeks later those QL-fans being surprised to see Shella in Paris.

Danger De Mort was the weakest QL  album even though I love the sound.

That would've been so dumb to leave Shella behind cause they were promoting his song since after he arrived and remember when they did his introduction concert in GHK. but at the same time it started to happen to him because he was left behind for the 2007 Zenith.

Yeah, but you how Koffi Olomide is. Modogo witnessed it back in 1994. They recorded Sylvekou, but he wasn't on the Europe-tour list of 1994.

About 2007, Koffi wanted to get rid of Montana, Shella Mputu, Babia, Suzuki, etc. Because he wanted to form a new Quartier Latin with Les Mineurs and experiened artists like Joss Diena, Gabbanna and J3. So he decided to not give them vocals which made Shella leave. But the rest still stayed so he tried other tactics which made Montana finally leave, but Suzuki and Babia were still accepting those humilations. With Babia not being used often as singer in concerts, but always being send on tv to attack Werrason or Felix Wazekwa (like when he whore the same clothes that Wazekwa wore at Olympia).

I agree with your selection to a strong degree. Do you mean influential within the African listening population or also international? If both, I'd include Wemba's Emotion even though it wasn't my cup of tea.

I would also add Nobelesse Oblige to the list as it set the tone for structure of albums for years to come and signifcantly raised the standards for song compositions and quality. Also, it opened the doors for a solo artist not to rely heavily on the backing of session artists and having a propertary band doing most of the backing.

Note I did not say V12, as V12 took the structure introduced by Nobelesse Oblige and brought it to another level