Wednesday 22 October 2008

Interview with Africa News in Italy!!!

The UK based Congolese super star Blanchard de Plaizir has just returned from a promo tour in Tanzania- East Africa. Here our editor Stephen Ogongo catches up with him on all his trip in the the country of Bongo flava.... enjoy!!!

Stephen Ogongo: Deplaizir, you have just returned from your first trip in East Africa precisely in Tanzania please tell our reader how your trip to Tanzania was.

Deplaizir: My trip was 100% fine in Tanzania, I really enjoyed the country and the people are fantastic and responded to me and my music very well. Its always been my dream to reach out to East Africa starting from Tanzania. The way things happened gives me more confidence to carry on and planning trips to other East African Countries such as Kenya and Uganda. My mission in Tanzania was to promote my music and Thanks to my Manager Sophia Kessy, the promotion went very well. I had interviews with Local Radio stations, Televisions, with the newspapers and other media. within the first few days, the whole country knew about me and my music, people start calling my Manager requesting live shows, as a result, we had to organise one quick to satisfy the fans. The show happened on Sunday 5th October in Musasani Beach club Dar Es Salaam and I was supported by Akudo Impact, a Local band based in Dar Es Salaam. The place was packed like an egg there were more than 2000 people and the atmosphere was great, Tanzanians really know how to enjoy their music, and that show will remain in my memory as one of my best shows in terms of audience involvement.

I also had an opportunity to meet some Tanzania artists and a female Vocalist From Mombasa, I was really humbled by their down to earth nature and willingness to help and work together with other artists. I took that opportunity to record 3 new tracks with 3 of the cream of Tanzanian music at the moment, Lady Jaydee, Banana Zoro and Tarsis Massela. All in all, everything went very well exceeding my expection and I really miss the Dar Es Salaam and its people, the weather and atmosphere.

Stephen Ogongo: What are the names of the three songs you recorded in Tanzania?

Deplaizir: The tittles are: Kende Kaka ( Just Go!) featuring Lady Jaydee its a rumba song with a strong salsa flair and is sang in both swahili and lingala. The second song is called Swali ( Question) Featuring Banana Zoro and Tarsis Massela, its a new age Rumba sang mainly in swahili with 2 lingala solo vocals only. The 3rd song is called Game Over. That is Techno Soukouss as I like to describe my music style, some people call it Sebene, Ndombolo ect... Its a Dance song right from the first second to the last. In this song I worked with 2 Atalaku ( annimators) Canal Top from Akudo Impact and G. Seven From FM Academia both bands based in Tanzania and The Solo guitarist is called Pitshou Mechant (Umbwa Mkali) also from Akudo Impact.

Stephen Ogongo: Could you please give us a brief description of what each song is about?

Deplaizir: Kende Kaka talks about the aftermonth of a broken relationship. One of the ex partners goes on bitching and saying bad things about the other partner and when family and friends ask her/him as to why the reletionship ended, she/he always blames the other partner and goes even far insulting ect... whereas she/he is the reason behind the break up. The song is the response of the other partner to her/his bad mouthed or ungrateful ex. in the song, She/he does not insult back but lets her/him know that she/he is aware of all that she/he has been saying and pleading to her/him to stop it because its not good as it brings shame to them both, in the end, she/he tells the ex to just go and peace and wishes her/he well in the future. The moral story to this song is that, people should always appreciate their past relationships no mater how nasty it ends there is no point i satying ennemies instead you people should wish each other well after a breakdown and be civil with each other and respect each other. So ofetn people forget the good memories of a past relationship and concentrate on the bad side of hings only.

Swali is a swahili word meaning Question. Basically a man is crying over a lost love. He is asking himself a lot questions as to why he lost his soul mate, the only woman he has ever loved, and he is pleading to God to bring her back to him.

Game over means what the word says, you know when a game is over, there could only be one winner and one loser or a draw.. But in the case of this song, a draw is not permitted. The winner here is anybody whith a winning mentality anybody who does not give up even when facing difficulty in life. And to others who have made mistakes or have never taken their lives seriously in the past, Game over is to inspire them to be more determined and aim for success in their lives and to stop playing games. This is a dance song and features a new dance that I created in Tanzania. the dance is called "Bembeleza baby" baby wana mubembeleza na maziwa, usi mupe ugari.....

Stephen Ogongo: How was your experience in working with Tanzanian super stars Lady Jaydee, Banana Zoro and Tarsis Massela

Deplaizir: I really enjoyed working with them and I admire their professionalism, creative attitudes and willingness to help. This is what Africa is all about.. the spirit of Ubuntu as always said Nelson Mandela. You know, If all African artists unite, this will set up a good exemple to our people and leaders to unite instead of conflicts, wars, injustice and corruption. Music is the ONE thing that really unite people regardless of our differences and yet, african artists are neglected by our own selfish and corrupt governments. Its about time that us as African artists unite under one big African Musicians Union organisation and see how we can help our people because I believe we have the power to influence our people more than greedy, corrupt and selfish politicians. This unity can only be achieved if all of as artists have the same mental attitudes and humility as I find in Tanzanian artists that I have recorded with.

Stephen Ogongo: How did the idea of working on this project together come about?

Deplaizir: When I realised how much Tanzanians appreciate my music, I quickly wanted to do some songs in swahili so that they can get my messages. I suggested the idea to Sophia Kessy and Gadner Habash who are my management team and they agreed not only for the fan and for my promotion aswell as they believe this will establish my name strongly in swahili speaking countries. I was more motivated to carry on with the project because of the willingness of the artists I worked with to help and unite. We needed to show positive image to our people by uniting and working together.

Stephen Ogongo: What is the name of the LP or will the songs be released as singles?

Deplaizir: The tittle of the LP is Game Over and will be released as a 3 tracks maxi single with videos.

Stephen Ogongo: When should we expect the LP?

Deplaizir: The promotion for the LP will beggin at the end of this month with radio stations in Tanzania airing the songs and should everything go according to plans, the LP will be available to the public by the end of the year before the year end's festive season. I take this opportunity to invite any radiostations around the world to contact us on management@deplaizir.com to request a free promo copy for their stations.

Stephen Ogongo: How different is the new LP from the previous ones?

Deplaizir: The main difference is the language, there is 70% swahili lyrics and also this time I have benefited from a massive vocal contribution from the Tanzanian super stars Lady Jaydee a very talented singer who has won the Kora Music awards 3 times, Tarsis Massela a very good vocalist from DR Congo who resides in Tanzania and Banana Zoro who came to the studio with his father and mentor Zahir Zoro during recordings. I would like to inform the public that Banana Zoro comes from a musical family all his siblings and father are musicians and they all have their own band. Zahir Zoro was so impressed with my work that he is preparing a track that I will feature in when I return to Dar Es Salaam later this year to start working on the videos. The african sun and wormth also added an extra level of energy to the music. I am sure the public and critics will notice a huge improvement from the last LP Plaisir Ya Trop, which is still doing very well in clubs, radio stations and African music market.

For all infos about this young talented artist, please visit his official website www.deplaizir.com www.myspace.com/deplaizir and if you want to chat with him direct, visit is blog on www.de-plaizir.blogspot.com alternatively send emails to management@deplaizir.com

Deplaizir
Deplaizir with his manager Sophia Kessy and close friends Suka and Saraphia
Deplaizir & Lady Jaydee
Deplaizir with Zahir Zoro and Banana Zoro

Stephen Ogongo
Editor
Africa News ETNO Media Italy
africanews@etnomedia.org

Tuesday 21 October 2008

DVD Release


To all my Dear Friends,
I hope u are all ok and Thanks for all your messages and comments. They mean a lot to me. Sorry for not updating you on my news as often the reason is simply for my studio work for the new songs.. On that line, things are going ok and only mastering work remains.. Very soon u will get to hear the final work. BUT for my lucky friends and fans in Tanzania, please tune in to Bambataa show on clouds FM as from this friday you will hear the promo version of the songs...

The important news today is that the DVD of my videos from Plaisir Ya Trop will be released on Thursday 23 October for sale here in the UK. My album plaisir ya trop (Pure pleasure) was released July 2007 without the video simply because some evil souls decided to steal the master DVD we had at the time so we had to redo the whole filming again. Hence this delay. Please note that the DVD has 4 video plus some live footages, an interview and a Bonus video and will be released together with th audio again in a double CD jewel case.

If you live in the UK, please check your local Music stores to get your copy, For those in the USA,Canada and Europe, please order your copy from www.cdbaby.com/cd/deplaizir or if you like get it direct from my paypal powered store on my official website www.deplaizir.com/store.php

I would like to thank you all again for your continious support and please help the artists by buying ORIGINAL COPY of music or DVD ONLY... Piracy is illigal and reduces us who try our best to entertain you to poverty.

1 Love
deplaizir
www.deplaizir.com

Saturday 18 October 2008

Big African stars grace Pauline Long's Fundraising birthday



2nd October 2008: Pauline Long, founder of Mr and Miss East Africa UK celebrated her birthday on 5th September at the exclusive D'eclipse Restaurant/club in London.

One of the special guests at the party was her close friend top African hiphop/rap star Emmanuel Jal. Among the acts on the night were Congolese star Blanchard Jean Azip aka Deplaizir, Kenyan singer Simba, Ugandan hiphop stars Dro and Nelly, hiphop/rap artists K-RIS and Paddy Lord.

The mother of two is constantly looking for ways of creating awareness for the plight of the African forgotten child and what better way to celebrate with her friends from the African entertainment and showbiz scene.

There was an exclusive dance performance by top London based hiphop dancers Phzcality and a fashion show by young designer Zaina Reich. The party which doubled as a thank you dinner for Mr and Miss East Africa UK 2008 contestants and team was hosted by award winning comedian Eddi Kadi and raised gifts for children including brand new books written by singer K-RIS and his younger brother Alexander, who is a talented poet.

Emmanuel made a generous donation of money to Rafiki Children's Orphanage in Kenya and offered for auction two brand new copies of his latest hit album 'Warchild'. Congolese star Blanchard offered several copies of his latest album "Plaisir Ya Trop!" (Pure Pleasure) to go on action in aid of East African children's charities.

When asked why she used her birthday to fundraise and create awareness for child poverty in Africa, Pauline revealed: "If there is a place I can find more than two people then I will use that opportunity to spread the word. I wanted my birthday to have a meaning and I wanted guests to give back to the children instead of giving me gifts. I would like to urge Africans to feel inspired and find ways of creating awareness for the plight of the forgotten child. Every single help or donation that is given goes a long way to make a difference. If you are doing your thing with clarity and enthusiasms whilst sharing your vision then the rest will fall in place. You will soon have disciples and I have my fans, friends and family to thank for all the support over the years."

Monday 13 October 2008

Thank You Tanzania!!!



Hey people!!

I have just returned from a promo tour in Dar Es Salaam. I would like to thank all Tanzania people for their simpathy and good nature. I really enjoyed my stay in Bongo and lookforward to visiting again.. SO FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, TAKE A BIG THANK YOU FROM ME... Special thank you to my dear manager Sophia Kessy without whom, i would have got lost in Tanzania.. Thank you Sophia for your management and help in my carreer we are a good team aiming to win many things... Big up to my friends Agape, Suka, Saraphia, Ruge Mutahaba, Bula, Saudi of Star TV, Mwanamboka of TBC, the EATV crew especially the Friday night live show crew... Thanks to all the media people from bloggs to radios and newspapers... My friend and guide Gadna Habash thank you for believing in me... A MASSIVE THANK YOU to my hero, the deva, the best of the best, Lady Jaydee for her contribution to my new song and my friend Banana Zoro for his input in one of my other song we recorded.. my extended thank you to Tarsis Massela, Rais ya kweli we Akudo band for his help during recordings ... Thanks to other musicians who recorded with us, Pitshou Mechant (Umbwa mkali) guitar, Gagarin Ba baata (percussions), Kata nyama ( Drumm), Canal Top and G Seven........ ASANTE SANA.... BIG THANK YOU TO Bakunde Productions for his patience and dedication... and a Heavy THANKS TO MY BEST FRIEND PAPA PIUS MICKY MIKONGOTI MZEE YA DIPLOMACIA TANZANIA NA MALAYSIA........all this is happening because you believed in me Papa Pius... Nakupenda pia Papa....

In total, I recorded 3 songs. Kende kaka Featuring JD, Swali Featuring Banana Zoro & Tarsis Massela and Game Over Featuring Canal Top & G Seven. I am currently back in the UK preparing for my tour in Spain end of this month and at the same time, I am busy mixing and mastering the new songs. Please be patient you will hear the new hits as from the end of this month exclusively on Bambaata Show at Clouds FM. I can reveal the name of the new album to you now if you wish.. just send me messages or comments then I will reveal the album tittle along with the meaning of my new tracks... But dont worry some of the songs are swahili so you will not miss out on their meanings when they come out.

I really miss Bongo already.. and the UK weather makes it worse.. I cant wait to return to Dar in december to shoot my videos and spend some quality time again with my friends and fans........
Feel free to write to me. your advices and contributions are very important to me as a musician and will be greatly appreciated... JIRAMBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

1 Love,
Deplaizir
www.deplaizir.com www.myspace.com/deplaizir
MAKAMUZI