Bouro Mpela

Last updated

Bouro Mpela
Birth nameGecko Bouro Mpela
Also known asBouro
Born (1975-08-05) 5 August 1975 (age 48)
Kinshasa, DR Congo
Genres Ndombolo
Occupation(s)Composer
singer
performer
dancer
Years active1995–present

Gecko Bouro Mpela, also known as Bouro Mpela (born 5 August 1975), is a soukous singer, dancer, and performer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was a member of the Quartier Latin International band, which was founded and led by Koffi Olomide. [1]

Contents

Background

He was born to Jean Robert Yoka Mpela and Marie Bilepo. Bouro was overweight at birth, a problem that has persisted in later life. He was born to a musical family with grandparents, parents and siblings either with careers in the industry or talented and with a passion for the trade. He attended local schools and graduated with a university degree. [1]

Career

The beginning

He was a member of his church choir. When his older brother Alain joined the band Wenge Musica, Bouro began rehearsing with him at home. He also rehearsed with Willy Bula, the younger brother of one of Alain's bandmates in Wenge. Circa 1995, Bouro began to sing and perform with several bands, while continuing with school. In 1996, Bouro graduated from university and a vacancy for a vocalist opened up at Quartier Latin International, due to the departure of Willy Bula. Bouro asks for his father's permission to become professional musician and the father accepts. [1]

With Quartier Latin

Between 1996 and 2006, Bouro would join and leave Quartier Latin three times. [2] While here, he recorded and released several hits, including Washington and Calvarie. He also toured with the band in Africa and Europe. He left permanently when Koffi denied him permission to produce a solo album while a member of the group. [1] In the group's hit Inchallah, Bouro is the second to sing his solo, beginning around 2:50 minutes, after Fally Ipupa.

On his own

In 2005, with his brother Alain Mpela, he produced the album Mortel Combat. He also has other solo products, including Vice De Procedure with singles like Ecole d'amour and Kwiti ya Lokoto among other hits. [1]

See also

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo</span> Overview of musical traditions in Congo-Kinshasa

Congolese music is one of the most influential music forms of the African continent. Since the 1930s, Congolese musicians have had a huge impact on the African musical scene and elsewhere. Many contemporary genres of music, such as Kenyan Benga and Colombian Champeta, have been heavily influenced by Congolese music. In 2021, Congolese rumba joined other living traditions such as Jamaican reggae music and Cuban rumba on UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soukous</span> African music genre

Soukous is a genre of dance music from Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville. It derived from Congolese rumba in the 1960s, becoming known for its faster dance rhythms and bright, intricate guitar improvisation, and gained popularity in the 1980s in France. Although often used by journalists as a synonym for Congolese rumba, both the music and dance associated with soukous differ from more traditional rumba, especially in its higher tempo and longer dance sequences. Notable performers of the genre include Franco Luambo and his band TPOK Jazz, Papa Wemba, Sam Mangwana, Tabu Ley Rochereau, and Pépé Kallé.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koffi Olomide</span> Musical artist

Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese soukus singer, dancer, producer, and composer. He has had several gold records in his career. He is the founder of the Quartier Latin International orchestra with many notable artists, including Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola. He is known for his flamboyant style and dynamic stage presence. His music is characterized by infectious rhythms, melodic compositions, and poetic lyrics that address a wide range of themes, including love, social issues, and African pride.

Joseph Roger N'Yoka M'Vula, known professionally as Jossart N’Yoka Longo, is a Congolese singer-songwriter and musician. In December of 1969, alongside Félix Manuaku Waku and Papa Wemba, he co-founded Zaïko Langa Langa, one of the most influential African bands, which he also leads.

Rigobert Bamundele, best known as Rigo Star, is an appreciated soukous guitarist and composer from DR Congo, now based in Paris. He has played with several major soukous and world music acts, including Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica, Bozi Boziana's Anti-Choc, Kanda Bongo Man, Koffi Olomide, Kelele, Kékélé, and Paul Simon and Fally Ipupa in his 2009 album. His name is mostly associated with Congolese female singer M'bilia Bel, with whom he collaborated almost exclusively throughout the 1990s. He has also released a few solo works, including the 1998 album Attention! with Sam Mangwana on vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fally Ipupa</span> Musical artist

Fally Ipupa N'simba, better known mononymously by his stage name Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist, and producer. He is known for his melancholic soft tenor voice, emphatic and emotive dance moves, as well as his unique blend of contemporary and traditional Congolese music genres, including Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Brian</span>

Giyani Brian "DJ Brian" Rikhotso is a South African radio personality and entrepreneur. He broadcasts on Munghana Lonene FM, Club Dj. As of April 2015, Rikhotso co-hosts the morning drive show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Life (La vie est belle)</span> 2013 single by Fally Ipupa

"Sweet Life (La vie est belle)" is a song recorded by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, from his third studio album Power "Kosa Leka" (2013). Because Music released "Sweet Life (La vie est belle)" as the lead single from the album, on December 17, 2013. The song's music video was directed by Charly Clodion and shot in France. Ipupa posted the music video on his official YouTube channel on 2013.

Jipson Butukondolo is a composer, vocalist, and entertainer in the band Quartier Latin International. The band is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was founded and is led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. de 1998 a 2008

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quartier Latin International</span> Democratic Republic of the Congo musical group

Quartier Latin International(QLI), or Quartier Latin, is a soukous band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo established in 1986.

Candy Nkunku, known professionally as Cindy Le Coeur, is a recording artist, singer, and dancer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She is a member of the Congolese band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by prolific musician Koffi Olomide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferré Gola</span>

Ferré Gola, also Ferre Gola, whose full name is Hervé Gola Bataringe, is a musician, singer, and songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was a member of legendary Congolese bands, Wenge Musica, Wenge Musica Maison Mère and Quartier Latin International. With his exceptional vocal prowess, stage presence, and compelling compositions, he has solidified his position as one of the leading figures in the contemporary Congolese music industry.

Montana Kamenga is a congolese recording artist, musician, vocalist and entertainer. At one time, he was a member of the musical band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. In the production Inchallah, Kamenga is the fourth person to sing his solo, behind Fally Ipupa, Bouro Mpela and Soleil Wanga, but ahead of Gibson Butukondolo and Deo Brando.

Roi Soleil Wanga is a DR Congolese recording artist, musician, vocalist and entertainer. At one time, he was a member of the musical band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. In the production Inchallah, Wanga is the third person to sing his solo, behind Fally Ipupa, Bouro Mpela, but ahead of Montana Kamenga, Gibson Butukondolo and Deo Brando.

Deo Brondo is a DR Congolese recording artist, composer, vocalist and entertainer. Brondo started music in Bozi Boziana's Anti Choc. Where he stayed from 1993 till 1997. After, he joined Zaïko Langa Langa where he composed the song Carpe Diem, in the 1999 album Poison. At one time, he was a member of the musical band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. In the production Inchallah, Deo Brando is the sixth (last) person to sing his solo, behind Fally Ipupa, Bouro Mpela, Soleil Wanga, Montana Kamenga, and Jipson Butukondolo.

Obouo Productions also referred as Obouo Music and Obouo Media is a record label from France founded in Beaumaris, Gwynedd by Ivorian producer David Monsoh and his partner Barbara Kahan on April 14, 2011.

Wenge Musica Maison Mère, also spelled as WMMM, is a musical band founded in December 1997, by musicians Werrason, Didier Masela and Adolphe Dominguez, after the split of their original band, Wenge Musica, created in 1981. Since its foundation, the band has had a rivalry with former bandmate JB Mpiana's Wenge BCBG. Under the leadership of Werrason, the group developed stars such as vocalists Ferré Gola, Héritier Watanabe, Fabregas le Métis Noir and Bill Clinton Kalonji. The band faced its first split after Ferré, Bill Clinton and JDT Mulopwe left the band to found Les Marquis de Maison Mère in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wenge Musica</span> Congolese band

Wenge Musica were a Congolese soukous band. It was formed by Didier Masela in July 1981 and directed by JB Mpiana from 1986 to the breakup of the group in 1997. The band is considered one of the most dominant on the Congolese scene.

Talent Latent, also known simply as Latent, is a Congolese rumba band from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), that gained popularity in the 1990s.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Archos (10 May 2015). "My Biography of Gecko Bouro Mpela". Kinshasa: Congovibes.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. Ambangito, Franck (28 August 2015). "Bourro Mpela: Cooperation and reintegration confirmed" (in French). Kinshasa: Groupelavenir.org. Retrieved 18 April 2016.