Samba on a mission

Caroline Nyanga

Sporting a white shirt with a dark grey coat and shoes to match, US-based Congolese musician Samba Mapangala, in the company of lead guitarist Syran Mbenza and drummist Komba Bellow among other musicians, belts out verses of his evergreen hits like Vunja Mifupa, Tolinga Virunga and his version of Vidonge with amazing ease.

It is a few days to the famous Sauti Za Busara Festival in Zanzibar, and the musician, set to headline the event, is rehearsing at Nairobi’s Club Afrique before heading to the island (held from February 12-17).

The 53-year–old musician with over nine albums under his belt says he has something new in store for Kenyans. Among his latest projects is the song, Obama Ubarikiwe (Obama be blessed), in praise of US President Barack Obama. Indeed Samba was also the star attraction at the Pan-African Obama inauguration bash last month in Washington DC. Kenya’s Boys Choir was also in attendance.

"The Kenyan Embassy in Washington arranged for my performance. There were only two African groups, alongside foreign artistes," he says.

Samba, who resides in Maryland, US, is set to perform on February 27, at Club Afrique. He says he has a big surprise for his Kenyan fans.

"I am here because a good friend of mine, Obachi Machoka, requested me to perform after he heard about my Zanzibar visit," says Samba.

He says Kenya is his second home, having stayed in the country for 20 years. Fans, he says, should be ready for a taste of his latest dance moves.

Taking a break

To prove his intent, the musician, who took a break of eight years from recording, reveals he has released a digital-only album, alongside his Orchestre Virunga.

"It is available as a download from CD Baby.com. It also includes bonus remixes of Obama Ubarikiwe," he says.

Samba is also working on another project, whose theme revolves around protecting Wildlife, set to be released in November.

"The World Wildlife Foundation through the American Washington DC African Department requested me to sing about it," he says.

So why did he move to the US, leaving behind a relatively stable and huge fan base?

A major reason, he says, was piracy and poor business. He also points out that failure to find a reliable local distributor has prevented his fans from sampling his latest CDs in the Kenyan market.

But Samba says despite currently spending most of his time in Washington DC, he has been staging concerts in various parts of the world besides spending time with his large family.

"I perform in Kinshasa, France and Belgium among other countries when called upon," says the musician.

Having lived in Kenya, since he was 22, he says he is back to record and equally revive benga music: "I intend to bring back my old sound which has changed over the years ever since I started recording in Paris."

Collaborations

Currently Samba is working with local Benga artistes Suzzana Owiyo and Jamnazi Africa among others at Tabu Osusa’s Ketebul Studio and assures Kenyans of sweet music with real African sounds.

Known for his exhilarating style of music that weaves an intoxicating blend of the benga beat, and pulsating percussions, Samba’s sweet voice and grandiose style blends the music of his heritage with the electrifying sounds from various parts of the world.

Despite his achievements, some music critics think Samba is going downhill, having failed to produce creative hits to overshadow previous songs like Vunja Mifupa, Tolinga Virunga, Nyama Choma and Dunia Tunapita, the widely acclaimed songs that enabled him stage a series of concerts around the world. So, how does he answer those who suggest he is responsible for diluting the original Congolese rumba by experimenting with different styles?

"Rumba will always remain Rumba and nobody can ever change it. What I try to do is to be versatile by occasionally fusing it with other styles to fit the current trends. Music is always evolving and we cannot afford to be static," he says. Samba, it should be mentioned, has never been shy of trying new styles.

"Having worked with various artistes from Uganda and Kenya my style keeps evolving," says the former leader of Les Kinois.