Fally Ipupa

In this Congolese name, the surname is Ipupa and the post-surname is N'simba .
Fally Ipupa
Fally Ipupa wearing a black vest over an orange sweater, a grey tuque, and a black plastic glove, looking directly at camera
Fally Ipupa in 2018
Background information
Birth nameFally Ipupa N'simba
Also known as
  • Dicap La Merveille
  • El Marabiocho
  • El Pibe de Oro
  • El Mara
  • 3x Hustler
  • El Rey Mago
  • The King
  • Aigle
  • Empereur 4K
Born (1977-12-14) 14 December 1977 (age 46)
Kinshasa, Zaire
(modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • dancer
  • record executive
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1997–present
Labels
Formerly ofTalent Latent, Quartier Latin International

Fally Ipupa N'simba (born 14 December 1977), known professionally as Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist, and producer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Rumba",[1][2][3][4] he is noted for his tenor vocals[5] as well as his blend of contemporary and traditional Congolese music genres, including Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo.[6][7][5][8] His lyrics often cover themes of romance, suffering, and joy.[6]

Ipupa made his public musical debut in 1997, at the age of 20, with the Kinshasa-based band Talent Latent.[9] In 1999, he joined Koffi Olomide's Quartier Latin International.[10][11] In 2006, Ipupa signed a record deal with Obouo Productions for his debut solo studio album, Droit Chemin, which attained a gold record after selling over 100,000 copies within one month.[12][13] In 2007, he won the Césaire de la Musique prize for Best Male Performer.[14][15] The same year, he became the first Congolese artist to sell out the Olympia Hall in Paris.[16][17][18] In April 2008, Ipupa won the Kundé d'Or for Best Central African Artist.[19][20] Ipupa's second studio album, Arsenal de Belles Melodies, included chart-toppers like "Chaise Électrique" (featuring Olivia) and "Sexy Dance", which became some of his signature songs. The album quickly sold over 100,000 copies.[21] Ipupa subsequently won two consecutive 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Francophone Artist and Best Video, with "Sexy Dance".[22]

His third studio album, Power "Kosa Leka", which spawned his breakout singles "La vie est belle", "Ndoki", and "Service", sold over 30,000 copies in a month.[23][24][25][26][27] In 2013, Ipupa won the Trace Urban Music Award for Best African Artist[28][29] and was signed to the French record label AZ by Julien Creuzard.[30] Following Creuzard's departure from AZ to establish Elektra France in May 2016, Ipupa maintained his affiliation with the label.[31] His fourth studio album, Tokooos, yielded his highest commercial success and was certified gold and platinum by SNEP, making him one of the first Kinshasa-based Congolese solo artists that honor.[32][33][34][35] Tokooos also peaked at number five on the French iTunes chart.[36] His fifth studio album, Control, released in November 2018, debuted at No. 10 on the French iTunes chart,[37] while the single "Canne à sucre" became the first Congolese song by a Kinshasa-based artist to enter SNEP's top 200 most downloaded singles in France, reaching No. 91.[38] Ipupa released his sixth studio album, Tokooos II, in December 2020.[39] On 25 February 2022, he issued Tokooos II Gold.[40][41] On 17 October 2022, he published his seventh studio album Formule 7, which amassed over three million streams on Spotify within 24 hours and dominated French iTunes sales.[42][43] Within two years, Formule 7 was certified gold by the Centre National de la Musique for selling over 50,000 copies outside France,[44][45] and also received gold certification from SNEP.[46]

In 2014, Forbes ranked Ipupa as the sixth richest African musician,[47] and Jeune Afrique named him one of the fifty most influential African artists in 2018.[48] He is the most-streamed French-speaking artist on Boomplay and the most-followed Congolese artist on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.[49] Ipupa is also known for his humanitarian work: he is the founder of the Fally Ipupa Foundation, which provides aid to marginalized groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including victims of sexual violence and disease, as well as orphans.[50][51]

  1. ^ Denis, Jean-Michel (9 February 2016). "Fally Ipupa, le prince congolais de la rumba mondialisée". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  2. ^ Milimo, Dennis (27 June 2018). "Prince of Rhumba Fally Ipupa set to land in Kenya". Pulse Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ^ Lorho, Chantal (11 February 2020). "Vous m'en direz des nouvelles – Ça bouge dans VMDN avec Fally Ipupa, le prince de la rumba congolaise!". RFI (in French). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Fally Ipupa devient officiellement Ambassadeur national de l'UNICEF" [Fally Ipupa officially becomes UNICEF National Ambassador]. www.unicef.org (in French). 10 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b Diallo, Nkumu Isaac Katalay (20 September 2017). "Afropop Worldwide: Tokooos". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b Seck, Jean-Pierre (25 November 2023). "Fally Ipupa : de roi de la rumba à emblème d'une génération" [Fally Ipupa: from king of rumba to emblem of a generation]. Le Point (in French). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  7. ^ Ajegbo, Adaobi. "Interview: Fally Ipupa Continues His Legacy with 'Tokooos II'". okayafrica.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  8. ^ Fonseca, Anthony J.; Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn, eds. (December 2018). Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 Volumes]. Santa Barbara, California, United States: ABC-CLIO. p. 137. ISBN 9780313357596.
  9. ^ "Fally Ipupa – Short Bio of a Very Talented Artist". Congolese Music. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :28 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ George, Nelson (20 October 2008). Carr, Daphne; George, Nelson (eds.). Best Music Writing 2008. New York City, New York State, United States: Hachette Books. p. 129. ISBN 9780786726127.
  12. ^ Danny (4 February 2016). "Fally Ipupa". CultureCongo (in French). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Fally Ipupa revient au Zénith de Paris le 12 mars 2011" [Fally Ipupa returns to the Zénith de Paris on 12 March 2011]. Afrik (in French). 16 February 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :20 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ "MTV EMA 2011 :: 06.11.2011 :: Belfast :: Fally Ipupa". 24 December 2011. Archived from the original on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  16. ^ "DRC: Fally Ipupa or Ferre Gola, who is the real king of rumba?". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  17. ^ Colcombet, Louise (8 April 2007). "Le DiCaprio de Kinshasa a fait un tabac" [The DiCaprio of Kinshasa was a hit]. Leparisien.fr (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  18. ^ "RFI – Fally Ipupa en concert à l'Olympia, le 7 avril" [Fally Ipupa in concert at the Olympia, April 7]. www1.rfi.fr (in French). 2 April 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Palmares 2008 – Kunde". Kunde.bf (in French). 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  20. ^ Naze, Hermann (28 April 2008). "Kundé 2008 : Yoni, nouveau roi de la musique burkinabè" [Kundé 2008: Yoni, new king of Burkinabè music]. lefaso.net (in French). Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference :02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ "P-Square and Fally Ipupa are the kings of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2010 nominees list – 2Face, Banky W, Wande Coal & Lizha James also receive multiple nods". BellaNaija. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  23. ^ Cite error: The named reference :47 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ "Le nouvel album de Fally Ipupa "Power – Kosa leka" dans les bacs depuis le 5 avril" [Fally Ipupa's new album "Power – Kosa leka" in stores since April 5]. Radio Okapi (in French). 13 April 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  25. ^ Lavaine, Bertrand (3 June 2013). "Fally Ipupa, sur la piste internationale". RFI Musique (in French). Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference :211 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference :49 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference :50 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ Kibangula, Trésor (20 May 2013). "Fally Ipupa : "Les dirigeants de RDC doivent ramener la paix une bonne fois pour toutes"" [Fally Ipupa: "DRC leaders must bring peace once and for all"]. Jeuneafrique.com. Paris, France. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  30. ^ Cite error: The named reference :482 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ Cite error: The named reference :86 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ^ "Les certifications : Fally Ipupa – Tokooos". SNEP (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  33. ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). "Fally Ipupa/Tokooos". SNEP (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  34. ^ Tilouine, Joan (7 July 2017). "Fally Ipupa, l'élégant de Kinshasa à la voix suave". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  35. ^ Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (10 October 2022). ""Tokooos" de Fally Ipupa certifié disque d'or par le Snep". Mbote (in French). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  36. ^ "French Albums iTunes Chart: "Tokooos" by Fally Ipupa". www.itunescharts.net. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  37. ^ "French Albums iTunes Chart: "Control" by Fally Ipupa". www.itunescharts.net. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  38. ^ Kabamba, Jérémie (2 November 2021). ""Control" de Fally Ipupa : l'album rumba congolaise de tous les records" ["Control" by Fally Ipupa: the Congolese rumba album of all records]. Strong2kin Moov (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  39. ^ Paliakara, Nidhya (17 December 2020). ""Tokooos II" : le nouvel album évènement de Fally Ipupa". TV5MONDE Afrique (in French). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  40. ^ Jegou, Miguel (25 February 2022). "La réédition "Tokooss II Gold" de Fally Ipupa déjà disponible". MBOTE (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  41. ^ Coulibaly, Justin (27 January 2022). ""Tokooos II Gold" de Fally Ipupa sortira le 25 février" ["Tokooos II Gold" by Fally Ipupa will be released on February 25]. Afrik (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  42. ^ Sadaka, Edmond (18 December 2022). "Invité Afrique – Fally Ipupa : "C'est un album calibré pour les gens qui aiment la rumba congolaise"". RFI (in French). Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Fally Ipupa : l'album "Formule 7" réalise plus de 3 millions des streams en 24h sur Spotify" [Fally Ipupa: the album "Formule 7" achieves more than 3 million streams in 24 hours on Spotify]. Mbote (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Certifications export 2023 par le Centre National de la musique" [2023 export certifications by the National Music Center]. SNEP (in French). Paris, France. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  45. ^ Mugisho, Grady (29 April 2024). "CNM : "Formule 7" certifié, Fally Ipupa sur un petit nuage" [CNM: "Formule 7" certified, Fally Ipupa on cloud nine]. Ouragan.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Fally Ipupa /Formule 7". SNEP (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  47. ^ Tashaya, Clemence (7 February 2014). "Namibian Musicians Not Richest in SADC or Africa". AllAfrica. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  48. ^ Pajon, Léo (7 May 2018). "Les 50 Africains les plus influents – 45. Fally Ipupa – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Fally Ipupa devient l'artiste musicien francophone le plus écouté sur Boomplay" [Fally Ipupa becomes the most listened to French-speaking musician on Boomplay]. Mbote (in French). 26 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  50. ^ "RDC : le chanteur Fally Ipupa crée une fondation caritative" [DRC: singer Fally Ipupa creates a charitable foundation]. Radio Okapi (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  51. ^ "Fally Ipupa répond en musique de manière voilée à son retrait des nuits de la francophonie" [Fally Ipupa responds through music in a veiled way to his withdrawal from the nights of the French-speaking world]. mediacongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.