Fally Ipupa Short Bio
Snapshot
Fally Ipupa is a prolific singer, dancer, and songwriter. After a seven-year skyrocketing career at Koffi Olomide’s Quartier Latin, Fally went solo in 2006 with the release of his first album Droit Chemin. The latter went gold after more than 100,000 sells. Ipupa released many other hits and collaborated with high profile artists from the United States like Olivia from 50 cent’s G-Unit, or R. Kelly.
The collaborations and quality of his music and dancing contributed to making Fally one of most well-known Congolese musicians abroad. El Maravilloso, as he likes calling himself, collected an impressive amount of awards and nominations for his achievements.
Early Days and breakthrough
Ipupa Nsimba Fally was born on December 14, 1977, in Kinshasa, from Faustin Ebombo Ipupa and Monique Botuli Mbo. At the beginning of the ’90s, Ipupa started performing street music with some friends, using makeshift instruments. Joining a group called Talents Latents in 1997, Fally started appearing on the TV thanks to their first album Nouvelle Vague.
He is then introduced to Koffi who was sicking replacements, following a big scission in his band around 1999. Koffi hired Fally, who would since then occupy a pride of place in the band, hence get favors no other band member ever obtained. Fally benefited from exposure and growth, and started nurturing a desire for a solo album. Koffi would accept the ideas after many negotiations, and Fally worked simultaneously on his project, and Quartier Latin ones. “Droit Chemin” will eventually see the light in 2006 with help from producer David Monsoh of Obouo Music, further opening gates of success to Fally.
Skyrocketing Career
Ever since Droit Chemin, Fally surfed through a relatively successful path. His releases usually receive positive criticisms and he multiplies collaboration with other artists, mostly international ones. His second album, Arsenal de belles melodies (A2BM) went platinum with more than a million copies sold in 2009. In 2010, Fally Ipupa won the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 in the Best Video category (for Sexy Dance), and the best francophone artist. On June 11, 2011, he participated in the African Night at Stade de France with other renowned African stars. He was nominated for the 2018 MTV EMAs BEST AFRICAN ACT Category Nominees alongside top African pop artists like Davido and Tiwa Savage.
Some Facts About Fally Ipupa
Fally is the nephew of Sylvie Mampata, wife of Congolese artist Werrason.
In 2014 United States President Barack Obama invited a group of African leaders to The White House for a summit to strengthen ties between the United States and the various African nations. Fally Ipupa was part of the delegation.
He was extremely shy due to his stammering and lisp. Ipupa also has a high sense of humor but reportedly gets angry very fast.
The Wenge Musica band inspired him to pursue a professional music career. He is also a big fan of Nioka Longo of the Zaiko Langa Langa band.
Ipupa is a fan of Al Pacino and would watch the movie the Godfather before giving any big performances.
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