| D.R.CONGO: SOUKOUS STARS WIN
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AWARD
Winner of "Best Soukous Act" at
22nd Annual International Reggae & World Music Awards in New York City - May
13, 2003 |
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Contact
the Soukous Stars to play a concert near you:
Nguma Lokito
- Tel # (301) 537-1223
Soukous Stars
Fax # (718) 981-7044 |
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The
Soukous Stars - Featuring Jirbo Ntunta, Lokassa, Nguma
Lokito, Shiko Mawatu &
Gepry Mavambu showcasing their latest music award from the 22nd Annual
International Reggae & World Music Festival
- Photo courtesy of the Soukous Stars |
| [Festival
Report by reporter Gabriel
Packard]:
Congolese band the Soukous Stars won the Best Soukous Entertainer Award at the 2003
International Reggae and World Music Awards, held in New York
City on May 13, 2003.
The Soukous Stars’ lead singer Jirbo Ntunta said
that the award was "good for all countries in Africa and good for African
music in general." And in his acceptance speech, Soukous Stars’ manager,
Abou Sylla, said the band was proud "on behalf of the entire continent of
Africa."
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Jirbo
Ntunta and the Soukous Stars Dancers perform at the 22nd Annual
International Reggae and World Music Awards in New York City
- Photo by William Farrington |
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The only other African to win an award was
veteran South African reggae singer Alpha Blondy, who scooped the Best
African Entertainer Award; he was unable to attend the ceremony to accept in
person.
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| The
Soukous Stars lit up the stage with a highly energetic music and dance set;
The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause
- Photo by William Farrington |
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There was a Spiritual Service through
Music Award named after former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, who is the
key figure of the Rastafarian religion (Selassie’s original name was Ras
Tafari) which is inextricably linked with Reggae music.
The Haile Selassie award was won by
Jamaican reggae musician Luciano.
Fellow Jamaican Sean Paul, whose single
"Get Busy" was at the time number one in the Billboard Hot 100, arrived to
accept the Best Album Award for his "Dutty Rock."
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Soukous Stars
To Release Latest Album in This Summer
- Report by AfricaSounds.com
In August 2003, the Soukous Stars
are planning to release their new album, entitled "B-52". In
addition, lead singer Jirbo Ntunta will also be releasing his latest solo album,
entitled "Enough !" in September 2003. Check back often on
AfricaSounds.com for additional information on The Soukous Stars and Jirbo
Ntunta. |
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The
Soukous Stars - Group Portrait -
Photo by William Farrington |
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| Over the
past several years, New York City has become home to a variety of African
musicians. For fans of Congolese music, this is an especially
intriguing development, particularly since the legendary Soukous Stars have
come to town. Well-known for their "soukous" albums of the past
decade, the Soukous Stars have most recently taken on a decidedly more
contemporary approach to their music style fusing the latest in Congolese
sounds into their musical stew.
The Soukous Stars added
their youthful element by recruiting lead singer (and excellent dancer)
Jirbo Ntunta, formerly a member of Le
General Defao's Big Stars Orchestra. Jirbo has added an urban and
contemporary element to the rumba guitar rhythms of legendary guitarists and
veteran Soukous Stars band members Lokassa
and Nguma Lokito. Add to the mix Shiko Mawatu and
Gepry Mavambu, a former
drummer for Tabu Ley Rochereau, and you get the picture. This new and
improved line-up of the Soukous Stars is hotter than before... more intense, urban and contemporary
because it adds a flavor of modern Kinshasa style animations and guitar
work.
In addition, the band has
added a team of excellent female
dancers that have joined the group for their live performances.
These dancers, who join Jirbo on stage, perform the
latest dance crazes of Congolese music. They add to the enjoyment of
the live performance and increase the crowd response and participation.
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Soukous Stars
will perform in Chicago for the African/Caribbean International Festiva of
Life on July 4, 2003 |
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Four
dancers from the Soukous Stars live performance
- Photo courtesy of the Soukous Stars |
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| The band
also showcase many of the golden-era dance floor classics of Congolese
music. Melding luscious
melodies and brisk sebenes, the veteran guitarists and drummer drive the
music forward. Medleys similar to the Mega Mix album that the band is
famous for and renditions of Congolese classics such as Franco's "Mario"
also add a nostalgic mood to portions of the live set. For live
Congolese music in the USA, the Soukous Stars rise to the call.
Currently, the Soukous
Stars are scheduled for a USA tour that will take them coast to coast during
the summer and fall months of 2003. We have posted the first portion
of their tour schedule to the right. Be sure to check them out when
they are in your region.
In addition, both the Soukous Stars
and Jirbo Ntunta are finalizing their latest albums in the recording studio,
with plans to release the group album in August 2003 and Jirbo's solo album
in September 2003. Check back often on AfricaSounds.com for the latest
happenings of the Soukous Stars. |
USA Tour 2003
July 4 - Chicago, IL
July 5 - Charlotte, NC
July 6 - Pittsburg, PA
July 11 - New York, NY - SOBs
July 12 - Washington, DC
July 18 - Houston, TX
July 19 - Harlem, NY
July 26 - Atlanta, GA
August 8 - Oakland, CA
August 9 - Santa Barbara, CA
August 10 - Los Angeles, CA
August 22 - Kansas City
August 23 - Minneapolis
August 29 - Portland
August 30 - Boston
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