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Draft:Roga Roga

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Roga Roga
Birth nameRogatien Ibambi Okombi
Born (1974-08-31) August 31, 1974 (age 50)
Owando, Republic of the Congo
GenresCongolese rumba
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer
InstrumentGuitar • shaker • cabasa • saxophone • synthesizer
Years active1993–present
LabelsIbroks

Rogatien Ibambi Okombi, best known as Roga Roga, (born 31 August 1974) is a Congolese singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. After participating as a member of Cogiex Stars,[1][2] he became best known as one of the founding members of Extra Musica, of which he is the leader, one of the artistic directors and one of the most prolific composers. The band has established itself as one of the most popular on the African continent, triggering a whole generation of young musicians from the Republic of Congo. His guitar playing is all too recognizable, as is his sharp, clean Steinberger guitar tone. Roga is regarded as one of the best distortion pedal players on the scene, as are some of his guitar role models such as Baroza Bansimba and Shiro Mvuemba.[3]

With Extra Musica, Roga has released a large number of classic albums such as "Les Nouveaux Missiles", "Confirmation", "État-Major", "Shalaï" and others. He has also released solo albums with his band, including "Sorcellerie (Kindoki)" and "Contentieux". In August 2021, he released the smash single Bokoko.[4] The music video now boasts over 50 million views on YouTube. With his band, he has toured Africa, Europe and America, playing in venues such as the Zenith de Paris, the Bataclan, the Palais des Sports, the Lincoln Center and stadiums including Stade Mamadou Konaté, Stade de l'Amitie, Stade de Yopougon and Stade Alphonse Massamba Débat.

Roga's work, both as a member of Extra Musica and as a solo artist, has been rewarded with several Kora Award nominations, including a win in 2000, five Kundé Award nominations including four wins, two AFRIMMA nominations[5] and many others. He has been decorated Knight in the Congolese Order of Merit,[6] Officer of the Arts and Letters of France,[7] and was named Ambassador for Peace at the CONACCE Champlain Gathering of African Chaplains.[8]

Early life

[edit]

Rogatien Ibambi Okombi was born in Fort Rousset (now Owando)[9] in the Republic of Congo on August 31, 1974, to Géorgine Ntoba and Lucien Ibambi. He lived in several cities in Congo before settling in Brazzaville, where he attended primary and secondary school. He grew up in Ouenzé, where he was introduced to childhood friends Espérance Mouanda Tsa-Tsa, later known as Espé Bass, and Ghislain Mazikou, later known as Kila Mbongo. Roga completed his primary and secondary education and obtained his Baccalauréat, but dropped out of university after a single year to devote himself to music.[10]

Towards the late 1980s, he joined the choir at Sainte-Marie church in Ouenzé, where he first sang - and then got to know Durell Loemba, the young director of the choir's musicians. Roga learns to play guitar with the versatile musician Léo Bvegadzi. The latter also trained Espé Bass, Durell Loemba and Silvère Ndinga, later known as Sonor Digital.[11]

Musical career

[edit]

In 1993, Roga, along with Espé, Durell and Kila, joined Cogiex Stars, an orchestra led by Mava Tytan and including members such as singers Oxy Oxygène, Quentin Moyascko, Hydrogène, Christian Ambe and guitarist Mboungou Saint-Pétro, among others.[12] In the meantime, with Espé Bass, Durell Loemba, Kila Mbongo and two other musicians, Giscard Ngolali nicknamed Ramatoulaye and Chryss Fall Télémaque nicknamed Guy-Guy Fall, Roga performed in local parties or mournings.[10]

Influenced by the wave of young artists emerging in the Congolese music scene at the time, Roga and his friends wanted to impose a fresher look and style on the Cogiex Stars orchestra. This change was boycotted by Tytan, who dismissed them from the orchestra.[13]

They - Roga, Espé, Durell, Kila, Guy-Guy and Ramatoulaye - came up with the idea of creating a musical ensemble with the musicians who play at the parties. After some initial rehearsals at the home of fellow percussionist Achille Akouala, during which Guy-Guy Fall struggled to sing the first song in their repertoire, Durell came up with the idea of integrating Quentin Moyascko into the orchestra. Later, Oxygène, Christian Ambé and Hydrogène join the band.[14] The band was formed on August 27, 1993,[15] and named Extra Musica on September 1, 1993. The idea for the name came from Roga, following the reactions of their elders after their performances, who told them they were "extraordinary".[10]

Opening for Zaïko Langa Langa at one of their concerts in Brazzaville, Roga was spotted by the group's members, who later asked him to join. An offer he turned down so as not to leave his mother alone.[10][13] In Extra Musica’s first statutes, Roga was appointed conductor and, together with his colleague Espé Bass, was in charge of arranging the songs in their repertoire. In December 1995, Extra Musica released its very first album, Les Nouveaux Missiles, recorded in Brazzaville under the auspices of Denide Productions.[16] Roga is credited with composing two of the tracks (Détresse and Dieu l'éternel), contributes to the embellishments of the other tracks as well as playing synthesizer and lead guitar. He was discovered by the African public, who quickly latched on to his distortion guitar style, influenced by Baroza Bansimba and Shiro Mvuemba of Zaïko Langa Langa. Extra Musica won "Revelation de l'année" at the 1996 Ngwomo Awards in Kinshasa for their work on the album[16], which sold over 50,000 copies by April of the same year.[17][18]

Roga Roga made his first trip to Europe, precisely in Brussels, with Espé Bass and Ferréol Gassackys, manager of Extra Musica, to mix their second album, Confirmation, released in December 1996 with 3 tracks composed by him, including the smash hit Succès Extra. During this stay, he acquired his Steinberger GM4T guitar, which has become his trademark instrument, contributing to his distinctive tone as a guitarist. "Love In Love", included in Confirmation, differs from the band's musical style, sounding more like typical American R&B padding at the time, with programmed drums and several synthesizers and featuring Roga as lead singer for the first time. Roga Roga was awarded "Meilleur guitariste de la République du Congo" in 1996.[7]

In 1997, Extra Musica, named best African group at the Africar Music Awards, released its third album, "Ouragan", featuring the hit "Losambo" by Roga, one of the songs that reaffirmed the group's consecration.[19] After numerous tours, including a date at the Bataclan in Paris on February 13, 1998,[20] and stadiums in Africa, Extra Musica suffered its first split following internal and administrative conflicts. Quentin Moyascko, Régis Touba, Durell Loemba and Pinochet Thierry left to form Extra Musica International. Roga assumes the role of band's frontman. He began the development of the album État-Major, which had been underway prior to the split. Meanwhile, Extra Musica went on its first Canadian tour. The album was finally released in December 1998. The eponymous track, composed by Roga at Studio Ferber in Paris (where they recorded Ouragan and the following 3 albums), became the band's most successful single. An anthem for dancefloors, the song went on to become a hit in Colombia, where music lovers affectionately nicknamed it El Bololó.[21] The music video, uploaded to YouTube in 2015, racked up over 26 million views before being removed in 2023. Apart from this hit, Roga also released the songs Racines (which traces his genealogy) and La Pluie. The group took other risks by incorporating other musical styles, notably on the song Villégiature composed by Espé Bass. The album sold over 95,000 copies in France and led to a tour across Botswana, Togo, Mali, and Europe.[17] In 1999, Extra Musica was nominated for the first time at the Kora Awards in the Best African Group category and the music video for État-Major was nominated in the Best Music Video category. They went on to win two further trophies: Best Group at the Tropic Music Awards and Best African Group at the Africar Music Awards.[16]

In July 1999, Extra Musica embarked on its first U.S. tour, with several dates. Roga Roga revealed Extra Musica's fifth album, Shalaï, in an interview with Seth Cashman of AfricaSound. The album Shalaï was finalized and released at the end of 1999. Roga plays lead guitar, synthesizer (with Christian Kingstall), cabasa and arranges with his colleagues. He wrote the eponymous track, Ndzima and Horizon 2000, a slow-paced song featuring Doudou Copa as lead singer. Extra Musica was nominated for the Kora Awards 2000 in the Best African Group category.[22] They win the award for the very first time.[23] Roga, Kila and singer Herman Ngassaki performed at the ceremony in Sun City, South Africa. Back in Congo, they were awarded the Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Congo.[24]

In February 2001, Extra Musica performed for the first time at the Zenith in Paris, becoming the very first Congolese group to do so.[25][26] Extra Musica followed up their sixth consecutive success with Trop c'est trop in October 2001, between tours and studio sessions. Roga composes the successful eponymous hit, the hit Problème sur problème, Guivano and Polémique Générale, on which he sings lead, and which is considered his signature song. The band is nominated for another Kora Award. [27]

Between 2002 and 2004, Roga and Extra Musica toured frequently, preparing for the release of their album Obligatoire in early 2004,[28] which featured several hits composed by Roga, including Aigle Impérial. After the departure of several members of Extra Musica, including Doudou Copa and Oxy Oxygène, Roga established himself even more as the orchestra's main headliner. Under his leadership, the band prepared the double album La Main Noire, initially scheduled for release in June 2005, but postponed until December 19, 2006.[10] In 2007, Extra Musica took on the Yopougon stadium in Côte d'Ivoire.

In late 2010, Roga Roga released his first solo album Sorcellerie (Kindoki), accompanied by Extra Musica. The album was a great success, and included hits such as Les goûts et les couleurs, Mariage, La Sape and Racine IV. On October 28, 2011, Extra Musica was awarded the Kundé d'Or for best African group of the decade.[16] Roga-Roga's solo studio album Contentieux, originally intended as a maxi-single, was released in January 2015. On December 31, 2015, Roga-Roga's maxi-single Oyo Ekoya Eya was released. In an interview for ADIAC Congo, he explained that "Oyo Ekoya Eya" is a slogan to wake up young Congolese and Africans in general, advocating that fear is an obstacle to progress.[29]

January 2020, after a split from Extra Musica which led to the creation of Extra Musica Nouvel Horizon, Roga releases the Patati Patata EP including the eponymous track, "Trahison", "Coeur de Mwene" and 2 other tracks. Patati Patata was followed the following year by the single Moyini Mbote, which was then followed in August of the same year by the EP "Bokoko," containing the eponymous track which proved a huge hit. The music video currently boasts over 50 million views.[30] Roga Roga went on to win two AFRIMMA nominations,[5][6] and subsequent award entries.

Personal life

[edit]

Ibambi has fathered 3 children. He owns 18 houses.

Discography

[edit]
  • Sorcellerie (Kindoki) (2011)
  • Contentieux (2015)
  • Oyo Ekoya Eya (2015)
  • Patati Patata (2020)
  • Bokoko (2021)
  • Nzoungou (2023)

With Extra Musica

[edit]
  • Les Nouveaux Missiles (1995)
  • Confirmation (1996)
  • Ouragan (1997)
  • État-Major (1998)
  • Shalaï (1999)
  • Trop c’est trop (2001)
  • Obligatoire (2004)
  • La main noire (2006)
  • 242 (2018)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mbita, Martin (2020-11-27). "Musique : Saint Pétro ressuscite Pamelo Mounka" (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  2. ^ Kiese, Mboka (2005-07-21). "Quentin Moyascko, d'Extra Musica, le vrai". Congopage (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  3. ^ THE RUMBA BAR (2024-04-25). THE RUMBA BAR | FULL EPISODE | L'EXPANSION D'EXTRA MUSICA AU TRAVERS LE MONDE AVEC ROGA ROGA. Retrieved 2024-11-06 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "VIDÉO. La légende de la musique congolaise Roga Roga renoue avec des cultures ancestrales | TV5MONDE - Informations". information.tv5monde.com (in French). 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  5. ^ a b "African Muzik Magazine Awards 2022: All the winners". Music In Africa. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  6. ^ a b "Roga Roga - Festival Amani (Goma RDC)". amanifestival.com. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  7. ^ a b "Distinction : Roga-Roga élevé au rang d'Officier des Arts et des lettres de France | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  8. ^ Mbote, Redaction (2024-02-19). "Roga Roga distingué "Ambassadeur de la paix"". Mbote (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  9. ^ "Roga Roga - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  10. ^ a b c d e "L'artiste congolais, Roga Roga, sur la Côte d'Azur". Congopage (in French). 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  11. ^ "« De l'aurore au crépuscule » de Léo Bvegadzi disponible en ligne | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  12. ^ Kiese, Mboka (2005-07-21). "Quentin Moyascko, d'Extra Musica, le vrai". Congopage (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  13. ^ a b Congo Mokili TV (2021-10-15). CONGOMOKILI:"Kila Mbongo" Un souvenir douloureux, je pourrais pleurer en racontant ça. Retrieved 2024-10-24 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Congo Mokili TV (2022-06-28). CONGOMOKILI:origine d'extra Musica "Roga Roga" très choqué par l'indécence des artistes musiciens. Retrieved 2024-10-24 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "Regard sur les cinquante dernières années (1965-2015) 1993 (32) | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  16. ^ a b c d "Extra Musica | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  17. ^ a b "Extra Musica on the Easter menu". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  18. ^ "Les immortelles chansons d'Afrique : « Freddy Nelson » d'Extra-Musica | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  19. ^ Kiese, Mboka (2005-08-30). "Le groupe Extra Musica du Congo Brazzaville vient de fêter ses 12 ans d'existence à Brazzaville". Congopage (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  20. ^ "Extra Musica Setlist at Le Bataclan, Paris". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  21. ^ Afroamericana "fukafra", Fundación Cultural (domingo, 25 de octubre de 2015). "FUKAFRA: Fundación Cultural Afroamericana: Etat Major (Bololo) Extra Music". FUKAFRA. Retrieved 2024-11-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Extra Musica | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  23. ^ "Souvenir : honneur à Extra Musica pour son intemporel « Shalaï » | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". adiac.netisse.eu. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  24. ^ Obenga, Théophile (2010). Histoire générale du Congo des origines à nos jours: Le Congo moderne (in French). L'Harmattan. ISBN 978-2-296-12969-6.
  25. ^ "Extra Musica Setlist at Le Zénith, Paris". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  26. ^ Africa international (in French). Africa S.A. 2001.
  27. ^ Kanka, Joseph (2 November 2001). "Congo-Kinshasa: Attendus ce samedi à Johannesburg: Werrason, Bozi et Wazekwa en course pour Koras 2001" [Congo-Kinshasa: Expected this Saturday in Johannesburg: Werrason, Bozi and Wazekwa in the race for Koras 2001]. Lephareonline.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  28. ^ Kiese, Mboka (2004-12-02). "Musique : Doudou Kopa a quitté le groupe Extra Musica". Congopage (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  29. ^ "Musique : Roga-Roga présente le maxi single « Oyo ekoya eya » | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  30. ^ ROGA ROGA Officiel (2021-09-24). Roga Roga & Extra Musica - BOKOKO (Official Video). Retrieved 2024-11-15 – via YouTube.
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