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Page 2 of 2 With the release of Kimbanda Nzila, Shiko’s first album, he vies to be the next “quiet storm” king or crooner of Congo Rumba in a country where fame and stardom is a monopoly of a few among thousands of great musicians. It’s logical given the fact that he creates beautiful music several years after the death of Franco Luambo Makiadi. Like Luambo Makiadi and his T.P O.K. before him, Shiko’s musical genius shines bright in his quest to create eternally soulful music. “I wasn’t always completely satisfied as an artist with the situation of writing and arranging for others,” Shiko confesses. Having collaborated, written and arranged songs for renowned Congolese artists like Madilu Systeme, Josky Kiambukuta, Tshala Muana, Faya Tess and the late Pepe Kalle before making his own album, Mawatu has proven time, and time again, that he is more than ready. Without a doubt, the landscape of Congo music is getting younger, but that fact does not hinder Shiko Mawatu’s creative process. “It would be a mistake for me to try and compete with younger singers and musicians,” Shiko says. “I’m not going to be dancing without my shirt on TV, but at the same time I believe my songs will appeal to everyone from teenagers to older folks.” “As a songwriter my biggest challenge has always been finding new ways to say old things,” Shiko Mawatu says. “For me, it was all about telling a story and exploring my environment, where I come from and where I am going. Like everywhere else in the world, my environment is a much different place than what it used to be 15 years ago.” On the album’s first song “Ntaba Ya Bandundu,” Mawatu brings forth the issue of infidelity in marriages in African communities away from Africa. In this particular song he uses Mbwakela, a Congolese art form of singing, which was popularized by the late Franco Luambo Makiadi. Refusing to sugarcoat his feelings of slight jealousy, the song manages to make public many men’s fear and anger. “This isn’t disrespecting the woman, I am just exposing a reality in our society.” “Kimbanda Nzila,” the song on the album itself, it detours from the usual Congo Rumba. The song gives a fast beat rhythm and a dancing music, which is inspired by Soukous, Ndombolo and Makuandungu, a traditional rhythm from Bandundu region in Congo. As a metaphor, Kimbanda Nzila is a docile snake but very dangerous when attacked. Much like Shiko Mawatu, also docile by nature but dangerous musically when challenged! “Terminus” & “Moziki,” without a doubt, are pure Congo Rumba with intricate guitar lines to make you dance with a partner. In both songs, Shiko invites a renowned vocalist, young and very experienced, Baby Black Ndombe. But, Moziki is a particular song regarding a powerful woman traditional organization designed to empower them economically in today’s urban context. Moziki finds itself in conflicts with new African life styles and today’s ‘needy’ African men. While Shiko along with the beautiful voice of Malage De Lugendo, Djeffard Lukombo of Tabu Ley, and the limpid voice of Lucien Bokilo may come across as over criticizing his fellow man for taking advantage of his friend’s wife in the title “Lavandier,” the complexity of Shiko’s personality reveals itself on the superb “Kupanda” and “Didi.” With Afro-Cuban style, Shiko has crafted two songs that honestly detail his understanding of the ancestral heritage between Cuba and Congo. “Kupanda” and “Didi” are definitely two great music tracks to dance to! From one infidelity to another, Shiko takes the blame for the failings of most men in relationships on “Allo Allo” for being absent in both body and mind. As a metaphor, he introduces the telephone as means of communication between a man and a woman in place of being face-to-face. He teams up with a female vocalist Ornela Mikwasa on a sweet duet using simple words to express complex feelings. Shiko once again proves that not only is he a wonderful guitar player, but his skills as a songwriter is impeccable. Though Shiko has never been the kind of songwriter that one would call political, that did not stop him from drawing an image of Africa that questions African leaders and the heritage of its children in this title “Afrique.” Comments (0)
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