FPK's favorite African songs

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-15-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan

This thread makes me a happy MBer. Of course you've probably heard of him, but do you enjoy the music of Fela Kuti?

Actually I enjoy the music of Fela Kuti. He is a amazing musician. Fela Kuti is one person who made so much great music. I am still going to look for more songs from Fela Kuti.

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-18-2012, 10:18 AM

Enjoy this song from Youssou N'dour. He sounds genius in this song

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-18-2012, 10:23 AM

This song is a great entertainer from Bembeya Jazz National

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-18-2012, 10:29 AM

Great homage de Demba Camara

Lisnaholic · 08-27-2012, 04:38 PM

Congratulations on putting together so many great songs, Franco. From your first page, I think I enjoyed best the Thomas Mapfumo that your Dad didn`t like ! Then pretty much at random, I dipped into Waraba by Bembeya Jazz National. Like many of the artists you`ve posted, they are new to me, but now I`m going to check up on their other songs here.
I have a question for you ; is Franco still popular today, do you think, or are young musicians impatient and moving on to something different ? From outside Africa it`s difficult to get an idea of his status; is he still listened to, the way for example the Beatles are, or are his songs increasingly forgotten, as has happened with Elvis ?

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-27-2012, 10:19 PM

Franco sadly passed away in 1989. He has been dead for 23 years now but his name is still recognizable. Some young people (mainly Africans) have done discovering on Franco and many cannot get enough of Franco.

Congolese music has changed quite a bit. It used to be Rumba orientated then it became soukous. But now it has sort of returned to its original roots but in the more youth style to appeal to youths today.

Well I would say that Franco is somewhat forgotten mainly because he is a African music and since many westerners have devalued Congolese music, Franco's name has sort of diminished although some Africans (young ones) are trying to connect with him today.

There are artists (African) who have never lost their star. For example, Fela Kuti, the nigerian trumpet has been having a large fan base for years and he has never lost his name. He is still high regarded in Western countries especially US.

VEGANGELICA · 10-20-2012, 09:13 PM

Habari yako, Franco Pepe Kalle!

I didn't realize Swahili is also spoken in Congo. I looked on Wikipedia and found out that "Swahili serves as a national, or official language, of five nations: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, the Comoros and the Democratic Republic of the Congo." You are fortunate, Pepe, to have the influence of your parents' heritage and multiple languages in your life.

Franco's message of freedom and self-determination is wonderful.

I'm thinking that Pepe Kalle's limited knowledge of English may have also limited the popularity of his music outside Africa?

I didn't know that most African musicians tend to be male even today, although I would imagine so because I think the separation between gender roles tends to be greater in Africa than in the U.S., for example.

Your post made me realize that I don't know of *any* female African singers besides Miriam Makeba. I'm curious which female African musician you will feature. I did a little online sleuthing and found out that two other famous (older) female African singers are Nayanka Bell and ...

Yvonne Chaka Chaka -- here singing the catchy song "Let Me Be Free"
She has a lovely, strong voice.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka - Let Me Be Free - YouTube

Regards,

VEGANGELICA

Franco Pepe Kalle · 10-31-2012, 04:03 PM

One of the best OK Jazz songs

Franco Pepe Kalle · 11-02-2012, 12:04 PM

I found a beautiful song from a Female singer name Barbara Kanam. She has a sexy voice. Yum, her voice is smokin. Check this beautiful song. I love it.

VEGANGELICA, you need to hear this song.

VEGANGELICA · 11-04-2012, 01:22 PM

^ Very seductive and happy-sounding, Pepe!

I was struck by how many syllables and consonants the words have in the language she is singing, which gives the song an energetic, bouncy feel. (I also hear some gentler French words incorporated into the song.)

This made me think about how some languages may naturally be better suited for singing relaxing, languid songs, and other languages may be better suited for peppy, energetic songs.

Thanks for finding a song by a woman like you said you would!

08-18-2012, 10:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	Enjoy this song from Youssou N'dour. He sounds genius in this song __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

08-18-2012, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	This song is a great entertainer from Bembeya Jazz National __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

08-18-2012, 10:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	Great homage de Demba Camara __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

08-27-2012, 04:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Congratulations on putting together so many great songs, Franco. From your first page, I think I enjoyed best the Thomas Mapfumo that your Dad didn`t like ! Then pretty much at random, I dipped into Waraba by Bembeya Jazz National. Like many of the artists you`ve posted, they are new to me, but now I`m going to check up on their other songs here. I have a question for you ; is Franco still popular today, do you think, or are young musicians impatient and moving on to something different ? From outside Africa it`s difficult to get an idea of his status; is he still listened to, the way for example the Beatles are, or are his songs increasingly forgotten, as has happened with Elvis ? __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

08-27-2012, 10:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	Franco sadly passed away in 1989. He has been dead for 23 years now but his name is still recognizable. Some young people (mainly Africans) have done discovering on Franco and many cannot get enough of Franco. Congolese music has changed quite a bit. It used to be Rumba orientated then it became soukous. But now it has sort of returned to its original roots but in the more youth style to appeal to youths today. Well I would say that Franco is somewhat forgotten mainly because he is a African music and since many westerners have devalued Congolese music, Franco's name has sort of diminished although some Africans (young ones) are trying to connect with him today. There are artists (African) who have never lost their star. For example, Fela Kuti, the nigerian trumpet has been having a large fan base for years and he has never lost his name. He is still high regarded in Western countries especially US. __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

10-31-2012, 04:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	One of the best OK Jazz songs __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

11-02-2012, 12:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	I found a beautiful song from a Female singer name Barbara Kanam. She has a sexy voice. Yum, her voice is smokin. Check this beautiful song. I love it. VEGANGELICA, you need to hear this song. __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.