Cindy Le Coeur

Last updated
Cindy Le Coeur
Cindy Le Coeur au vaudoundays 2024 a Ouidah au Beni 25.png
Cindy Le Coeur in 2024
Background information
Birth nameCandy Nkunku
BornNovember 1983 (age 40)
Kinshasa, Zaire
Genres Congolese rumba, soukous, ndombolo
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, dancer, and recording artist

Candy Nkunku (born November 11, 1983), known professionally as Cindy Le Coeur, is a Congolese recording artist, singer, and dancer. She is a member of the Congolese band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by prolific musician Koffi Olomide. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Candy Nkunku was born on November 11, 1983, in Kinshasa, Zaire. She is the fourth child in a family of four brothers and sisters. At a tender age, she grew up listening to Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and M'bilia Bel. Recognizing her talent and soprano voice, her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She enrolled in the National Institute of Arts (l'Institut National des Arts; INA) in Kinshasa to refine her vocals and pursue her passion for music. [4] [5] [6] [7] After graduating with a diploma, she took her first steps in music in the early 2000s as a Gospel music singer. She collaborated with several musicians as a chorister, notably with Christian singer Kool Matope and Frère Carlyto. [4] [8]

In 2002, she became a founding member of the Waasa group (le groupe Waasa) and participated in the Belgian African Week in Brussels, where she advocated against child abandonment. [4] [9] In 2007, she decided to shift away from Gospel music and joined Koffi Olomidé's Quartier Latin International as an artistic director, actively participating in the production of five albums, including "Bord Ezanga Kombo." She met Koffi Olomide at N'diaye studio in Gombe, Kinshasa, where Koffi was in search of a female voice for the song "Lily Kaniki." Koffi gave her the nickname "Cindy Le Coeur" (meaning "Cindy The Heart"). She was later featured in the song after meeting Koffi. In the same year, she featured Koffi in a song called "Ikea" on an unnamed album. [4] Around 2008, Nkunku and Koffi sang duets together, creating a performative relationship that suggested she was Koffi's "stage wife." Local music scholars argue that Koffi and Cindy's partnership follows that of Tabu Ley Rochereau and M'bilia Bel, an earlier popular music duo in Kinshasa. [2]

In 2009, she received two awards for Best Female Artist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and later that year, she received the Best of Generation Award at Zénith Paris. [4] As Koffi's protégé, she collaborated with many musicians, including Fally Ipupa and Werrason. In 2011, she featured Fally Ipupa in "OLe Sida est là," an Afro-pop single. [10] [11] On June 6, 2013, she debuted her six-track maxi-single 6-6-6. [12] Her revolutionary piece, "Ikea," also earned her the Kora Awards for "Best Female Artist In Central Africa" in June 2014. [4] In October 2014, she gave a concert where she performed songs by Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, who are her idols, respectively. [4]

In 2019, she released her single "Égérie". [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koffi Olomide</span> Congolese musician (born 1956)

Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, and founder of Quartier Latin International. Often referred to as the "King of Ndombolo", he is noted for his explosive high notes, deep baritone, and offbeat voice. Agbepa is considered one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Congolese and African popular music. His lyrics often explore themes of love, politics, technology, success, infidelity, religion, chicanery, and disillusionment. Through his music and stage performances, he introduced the slower style of soukous known as Tcha Tcho and popularized a flamboyant fashion subculture called La Sape, alongside Papa Wemba.

Marie-Claire Mboyo Moseka, known professionally as M'bilia Bel, is a Congolese rumba and soukous singer and songwriter. She is known as the "Queen of African Rumba". She rose to fame after first being discovered by Sam Manguana and later by Tabu Ley Rochereau who helped her gain confidence, master her powerful soprano voice, and achieve acclaim as one of the best Congolese female singers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabu Ley Rochereau</span> Musical artist

Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu, better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading African rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous and internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American rumba. He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history." He was dubbed "the African Elvis" by the Los Angeles Times. After the fall of the Mobutu regime, Tabu Ley also pursued a political career. His musical career ran parallel to the other great Congolese rhumba bandleader and rival Franco Luambo Makiadi who ran the band TPOK Jazz throughout the 1960s, 1970s and '80s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ndombolo</span> Congolese dance music genre

Ndombolo, also known as dombolo, is a genre of dance music originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Derived from soukous in the 1990s, with fast-paced hip-swaying dance rhythms, often accompanied by upbeat, percussion-driven music, the style became widespread in the mid-1990s and the subsequent decade, dominating dancefloors in central, eastern, and western Africa. It inspired West African popular music, coupé-décalé, Kuduro, and East African dance music.

Barbara Kanam Mutund, known professionally as Barbara Kanam, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, music producer, actress, philanthropist, and currently serves as the Director General of the Cultural Promotion Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She sings in French, Swahili, Lingala, and English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fally Ipupa</span> Congolese musician and dancer (born 1977)

Fally Ipupa N'simba, known professionally as Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist, and producer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Rumba", he is noted for his tenor vocals as well as his blend of contemporary and traditional Congolese music genres, including Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo. His lyrics often cover themes of romance, suffering, and joy.

<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.

<i>Droit Chemin</i> 2006 studio album by Fally Ipupa

Droit Chemin is the debut solo studio album by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa. It was released on June 10, 2006. The album was produced by David Monsoh. The album features guest appearances from Barbara Kanam, Maïka Munan, Krys, Mokobé, and Benji of Nèg' Marrons. It went gold for selling more than 100,000 copies in one month.

Gecko Bouro Mpela, also known as Bouro Mpela, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferré Gola</span> Congolose musician (born 1976)

Hervé Gola Bataringe, known professionally as Ferré Gola, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Revered as "Jésus de Nuances", he is regarded as one of the most significant figures of the fifth-generation Congolese rumba. His lyrics predominantly revolve around themes of love, social support, and interpersonal relationships.

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.

<i>Tokooos</i> 2017 studio album by Fally Ipupa

Tokooos is the fourth studio album by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa. It was released on July 7, 2017, by Elektra France, Warner Music France. After having established himself as a continental superstar singer in Africa with his first three albums solos, all produced by David Monsoh, Fally now wanted to open up to the French and more generally Western record market. Ipupa will be signed in 2013 by Julien Creuzard on the AZ label. But in 2016, Julien Creuzard left AZ to found the new label Elektra France, Fally is now under the label Elektra France.

Laurette Ngoma Laperle, known professionally as Laurette la Perle is a Congolese singer songwriter, model and business woman from Democratic Republic of the Congo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Céline Banza</span> Musical artist

Céline Banza is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is the winner of the 2019 RFI Discoveries Music Award.

Mongala Akelembi, professionally known as Robinio Mundibu, is a Congolese singer, songwriter and dancer. Akelembi began his career as a protégé of Do Akongo and later worked with Tutu Caludji, an ex-singer of Wenge Musica BCBG. In 2009, he joined Wenge Musica Maison Mère before branching out as a solo artist in 2014 with his debut singles "Vantard" and "Mbonzimbonzi". In the following year, he debuted four singles "Ye Yo Ok", "Etirette", "Zuwa", and "Compliqué".

Félix Nlandu Wazekwa, known professionally as Félix Wazekwa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, author, filmmaker, dancer, and bandleader. Known for his Lingala deep lyrics and baritone voice, he is regarded as an influential figure in soukous and Congolese rumba music and one of the most prominent lyricists of his generation.

References

  1. ↑ Aronson, David (14 July 2011). "What the Kids Are Listening to". Kinshasa: Congoresources.org. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 Braun, Lesley Nicole (January 24, 2023). Congo's Dancers: Women and Work in Kinshasa. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 95. ISBN   9780299340308.
  3. ↑ Dumitrescu, Irina, ed. (2016). Rumba Under Fire: The Arts of Survival from West Point to Delhi. Santa Barbara, California, United States: Punctum Books. p. 226. ISBN   9780692655832.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Personnes | Africultures : le Coeur Cindy". Africultures (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  5. ↑ "Cindy le Cœur : Biographie, Actualité & Infos". Newstories Africa (in French). 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ↑ admin (2019-11-07). "Quand Cindy Le Coeur de Koffi Olomide chante Céline Dion ça donne ça !". DiaspoRDC (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  7. ↑ "Cindy Le Coeur discography - RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  8. ↑ Godson, Asiama (2021-09-23). "Cindy Le Coeur Biography, Music, Videos, Booking". ProfileAbility. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  9. ↑ Cindy Le Coeur et Meje30 chantent Sida avec leur groupe Wassa , retrieved 2023-07-22
  10. ↑ Seck, Nago (2011-09-30). "Le Sida est là (Fally Ipupa feat. Cindy Le-Cœur)". Afrisson (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  11. ↑ Fally Ipupa & Cindy Le Cœur - Le sida est là (Clip Officiel) , retrieved 2023-07-22
  12. ↑ Diala, Jordache (6 January 2014). "Congo-Kinshasa: 2014 en Retro musique 2013 - Voici les événements ayant marqué l'année!" [Congo-Kinshasa: 2014 in Retro music 2013 - Here are the events that marked the year!]. La Prospérité (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Cindy Le Cœur, a-t-elle quitté Koffi Olomide ? Sa réponse en chanson". Lemag (in French). 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.