RJ Kanierra

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RJ Kanierra
Birth nameJoé Ngoie Mwema
Also known asLe Dragon
Born (1984-08-09) August 9, 1984 (age 39)
Kolwezi, Katanga Province
(now Lualaba Province), Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Origin Congolese
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Rapper
  • dancer
Instrument(s)Guitar, drums
Years active1998–present
Labels

Joé Ngoie Mwema (born 9 August 1984), known professionally as RJ Kanierra, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, and dancer.[1][2][3] He is regarded as one of the most significant figures in 21st-century Katangese music.[4][5][6][7] His musical style blends Congolese rhythm and harmony with rap, a synthesis he calls "Rotatam Style."[2][6][8]

Born and raised in Kolwezi, Ngoie began his recording career in the late 1990s and later released his debut studio album, Les treize lois de la jungle, in 2006.[1] Ngoie's single "Aina Lawa", premiered in 2008, gained significant acclaim in Katanga.[9] In March 2011, he issued his second studio album, 99.[9] Ngoie went on to publish his third studio album, titled 622, in 2013, followed by -243 (2016) and 99×9 (2019).[9] In August 2022, Ngoie unveiled his sixth studio album, 13.[10]

Ngoie gained widespread recognition and mainstream attention following the release of his 2023 single "Tia", which quickly amassed over two million views within two weeks on YouTube and peaked atop the Congo's most-viewed YouTube videos, garnering 805,000 views in October of that year.[8][11][12] It also sparked the "Tia dance challenge," a trend that quickly gained momentum on social media and was embraced by various personalities.[13][14]

Early life and career[edit]

1984–2021: Early life, music debut, and releases[edit]

Kolwezi, the city where Ngoie grew up, lies in the Lualaba Province.

Joé Ngoie Mwema was born on 9 August 1984, in Kolwezi situated within the Katanga Province (now Lualaba Province), in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).[1][3][15][8] As a teenager, Ngoie participated in various activities such as football, karate, and athletics. He was a junior champion in the 100-meter event, organized by the Kolwezi athletics league.[9] In the late 1990s, with the emergence of popular music in Kolwezi, Ngoie clandestinely began performing street music and debuted the single titled "Chère Maman" to seek his mother's authorization to pursue his musical aspirations.[9] In 1998, he formed his backing band called Casse-Tête and later released the demo C'est-à-dire, which included tracks such as "Je Confirme," "Tinss," and "Coliba."[9][1][8] Despite venturing out for productions, he remained devoted to his city, where his concerts consistently attracted large audiences.[8] In January 2006, Ngoie clinched the accolade for the Best Group alongside Casse-Tête at the Nzenze Ngoma Ya Kwetu festival convened in Lubumbashi.[8][3] Later that year, he released his debut studio album, Les treize lois de la jungle, which combined hip-hop and R&B.[1][9] In 2008, he premiered the single "Aina Lawa," which gained significant recognition in Katanga with lyrics exploring themes of success, victory, and the rejection of superstition and fetishism.[9][1] Following the success of "Aina Lawa", Ngoie released his second studio album, titled 99, in March 2011, which included critically acclaimed hits "Salem" and "Bikelele".[9] In 2013, Ngoie published his third studio album, titled 622, which consisted of six tracks.[9]

In 2014, Ngoie made a guest appearance on Mjoe Zuka's album Rien que l'amour. Ngoie debuted his fourth studio album -243 in 2016 which included hits like "Winner", "Djaso", "Je Suis Béni".[9] -243 was produced between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which allowed Ngoie to do his debut major concert at the Lupopo stadium. During the same year, Ngoie performed a major concert in Kenya alongside JB Mpiana and Davido.[9] In 2019, he published his fifth studio album, titled 99×9, which included hit singles like "Bae Bae" and "Danza". Ngoie released the single "Get Down" featuring Mink's on 25 March 2019, followed by the single "Bina Vuya", which included a guest performance by Kinshasa-born rapper Alesh and amassed over 500,000 streams on all streaming platforms.[16][9][17]

On 10 October 2020, Ngoie debuted the single "Vula Vwala" (alternately known as Longola Lata), which peaked at number-one in Lubumbashi music charts and received praise from artists such as Barbara Kanam, Lokua Kanza and Alesh.[17] Ngoie was subsequently awarded the Honorary Prize at the Tshota Awards in Likasi and received a nomination for Song of the Year at the City Awards.[18] In early February 2021, he launched fellow Congolese singer Eric Flash under his label Shutuka Musique and debuted the single "Baby Sugar" on 6 February 2021.[9] Collaborating with Christian Bella, Ngoie produced "Don't Judge" in Tanzania on June 25, 2021.[9]

2022–present: 13 and "Tia"[edit]

Ngoie's sixth studio album, titled 13, was released on 13 August 2022; it comprises 13 singles and includes guest appearances by Gally Garvey, Anita Mwarabu, Yo Maps, Ramythologie, Madame Cooper, and Ntosh Gazi.[10] To further promote the album, Ngoie announced a series of concerts known as the "13 Tour Dragon".[19] The tour commenced on April 2 in Dar es Salaam and concluded on July 16, 2023, at the Afrodisiac Festival in Brussels. It encompassed performances in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, France, and Belgium.[19]

On 22 September 2023, Ngoie released the single "Tia", which was directed by Petit Fils and produced by Shutuka Musique.[20][21] The song tells the story of a worker who went unpaid for several months and decided to go into debt so that the state would come and pay him.[21][22][23] "Tia" quickly garnered over two million views within two weeks,[11] reaching the top of Congo's most-viewed YouTube videos with 805,000 views in October of that year.[12] It was also a top-5 record on Shazam's worldwide music category and topped the rankings in Cameroon and Ivory Coast.[11] The Congolese digital media outlet Mbote.cd named "Fia" the "Song of the Year".[24] It also spawned the "Tia dance challenge" trend on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which was embraced by celebrities such as fellow Congolese professional boxer Martin Bakole and comedian Herman Amisi.[25][13][14] Fellow Congolese singer Majoos praised "Tia," describing its sound as "sweeter" and expressing his gratitude, saying, "Nice job."[26] Saint Hervé M'Buy of Ouragan described "Tia" as "urban music juggles with different artistic assets such as irony, humor, satire, and sometimes derision to fully furnish his work."[21]

In November 2023, Ngoie announced on Instagram and Facebook he signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa (SMEA), whose French-speaking division is based in Ivory Coast, under the supervision of the famous Congolese patron Elvis Adidiema.[27][8] Ngoie's contract with SMEA allowed him to benefit from the network and augmented his international appeal.[27][8]

On 25 November, Ngoie joined Fally Ipupa on stage during his concert at Paris La Défense Arena, where he performed alongside Aya Nakamura, SDM, Mokobé, KeBlack, Naza, Dadju, Tayc, Singuila, Youssou N'Dour, and Petit Fally.[28][29][30]

Discography[edit]

Year Title Details
2006 Les treize lois de la jungle
  • Album, Released: 2006
2008 "Aina Lawa"
  • Single, Released: 2008
2011 99
  • Album, Released: 2011
2013 622
  • Album, Released: 2013
2016 -243
  • Album, Released: 2016
2019 99×9
  • Album, Released: 2019
2022 13
  • Album, Released: 13 August 2022
  • Label: Shutuka Musique
2020 "Vula Vwala"
  • Single, Released 10 October 2020
  • Label: Shutuka Musique
2023 "Tia"
  • Single, Released 22 September 2023
  • Label: Shutuka Musique

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "RJ Kanierra". Music In Africa (in French). 2 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Fichet, Roland. "Noires" (PDF). Cielegendesurbaines.fr (in French). p. 9. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Biographie de RJ Kanierra". AMI (Aide aux Musiques Innovatrices) (in French). 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  4. ^ Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (19 February 2021). "Découvrez le clip « Lamata » de Rj Kanierra" [Discover the music video "Lamata" by Rj Kanierra]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  5. ^ Ntangu, Déodat (30 September 2023). "RDC: RJ Kanierra, l'etoile montante de la musique Congolaise" [DRC: RJ Kanierra, the rising star of Congolese music]. Journal des Nations (in French). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (11 December 2020). "RJ Kanierra, une étoile de la musique Congolaise évoluant à Lubumbashi" [RJ Kanierra, a star of Congolese music playing in Lubumbashi]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Dilemme RJ Kanierra – la super-star congolaise qui nous vient de Lubumbashi" [Dilemma RJ Kanierra – the Congolese superstar who comes to us from Lubumbashi]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Lukau, Onésime (26 November 2023). "RJ Kanierra signe chez Sony Music Africa" [RJ Kanierra signs with Sony Music Africa]. Ouragan.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Kevzine: RJ Kanierra". Kevzine.com (in French). 20 December 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b Kat, Nadine (2 August 2022). "Haut-Katanga: "13", nouvel album de l'artiste RJ Kanierra" [Haut-Katanga: "13", new album by artist RJ Kanierra]. Arts.cd (in French). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "RJ Kaniera : son hit "Tia" cumule déjà 2 millions de vues" [RJ Kaniera: his hit "Tia" already has 2 million views]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  12. ^ a b "YouTube Charts : « Tia » de RJ Kanierra, « Mayday » de Fally Ipupa, « Bisengo ya lola » de Mike Kalambay… découvrez les clips les plus vus en septembre" [YouTube Charts: "Tia" by RJ Kanierra, "Mayday" by Fally Ipupa, "Bisengo Ya Lola" by Mike Kalambay… discover the most viewed clips in September]. Strong2kin Moov (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Martin Bakole se lâche dans la danse de la chanson « Tia » de RJ Kanierra" [Martin Bakole lets loose in the dance of the song "Tia" by RJ Kanierra]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  14. ^ a b "RJ Kanierra: le remix de la chanson "Tia" serait en préparation en featuring avec Gaz Mawete" [RJ Kanierra: the remix of the song "Tia" would be in preparation featuring Gaz Mawete]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  15. ^ M'Buy, Saint Hervé (24 September 2023). "RJ Kanierra au top de la musique urbaine avec le clip de son single "Tia"" [RJ Kanierra at the top of urban music with the video for his single "Tia"]. Ouragan.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  16. ^ "RJ Kanierra fait parler de lui dans son nouvel album 99×9" [RJ Kanierra makes headlines in his new album 99×9]. Nzadinews.net (in French). 26 March 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (3 February 2021). "Lokua Kanza remercie RJ Kanierra pour son message dans la chanson "Vula Vwala"" [Lokua Kanza thanks RJ Kanierra for his message in the song "Vula Vwala"]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (10 January 2021). "RJ Kaniera nominé aux City Awards" [RJ Kaniera nominated for City Awards]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b "RJ Kanierra annonce une tournée dénommée "13 Tour Dragon"!" [RJ Kanierra announces a tour called "13 Tour Dragon"!]. Strong2kin Moov (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ Muyaya, Ruphin (22 September 2023). "RJ Kanierra dévoile enfin le clip officiel du hit « Tia » avec Herman Amisi comme figurant". Strong2kin Moov (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ a b c M'Buy, Saint Hervé (24 September 2023). "RJ Kanierra au top de la musique urbaine avec le clip de son single "Tia"" [RJ Kanierra at the top of urban music with the video for his single "Tia"]. ouragan.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  22. ^ Tshinzam, Costa (12 September 2023). ""Tia", cette pépite musicale qui place l'artiste RJ Kanierra sur le trône" ["Tia", this musical nugget that places the artist RJ Kanierra on the throne]. Habari RDC (in French). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  23. ^ Kayembe, Nicolas (20 January 2024). "RJ Kanierra confirme le remix explosif pour "TIA" mais garde l'invité secret" [RJ Kanierra Confirms Explosive Remix for 'TIA' But Keeps Guest a Secret]. Lebarometre.cd (in French). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  24. ^ "La chanson « Tia » de RJ Kaniera élue « Son de l'année »" [RJ Kaniera's song "Tia" voted "Sound of the Year"]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  25. ^ Muyaya, Ruphin (3 March 2024). ""Tia" de RJ Kanierra : Première chanson Congolaise à atteindre le million sur Shazam!" ["Tia" by RJ Kanierra: First Congolese song to reach a million on Shazam!]. Strong2kin Moov (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Majoos à RJ Kaniera: « J'ai entendu TIA dans un coin de l'Afrique à peine que je venais d'atterrir; le son est encore plus sucré à l'extérieur du pays bro »" [Majoos to RJ Kaniera: "I heard TIA in a corner of Africa as soon as I had landed; the sound is even sweeter outside the country bro"]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  27. ^ a b "RJ KANIERRA signe chez Sony Music Africa" [RJ KANIERRA signs with Sony Music Africa]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Première partie du concert de Fally Ipupa : Petit Fally et RJ Kanierra ont enflammé le public de U-Arena" [First part of the Fally Ipupa concert: Petit Fally and RJ Kanierra ignited the U-Arena audience]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 25 November 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  29. ^ "U-Arena Paris La défense: Voici les artistes qui étaient sur la grande scène avec Fally Ipupa" [U-Arena Paris La Défense: Here are the artists who were on the big stage with Fally Ipupa]. Mbote (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Tayc à Fally Ipupa: "Grand Frère, ne change rien, ton peuple t'aime"" [Tayc to Fally Ipupa: "Big Brother, don't change anything, your people love you"]. Mbote (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
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