Every singer, actor or athlete has a whole history behind them that is often filled with interesting facts we all love to read about.
In today’s text, we are going to talk about a famous African singer Fally Ipupa, who is a true celebrity in his home country but also around the globe. We will talk about his net worth, biography, personal life and career, so hold on tight if you would like to learn more about him.
Early Years
Faustin Ipupa Nsimba, nicknamed “Fally”, was born on 14 December 1977 in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rather shy, he grew up in Bandal (Bandalungwa) district, stronghold of Wenge Musica group.
Very popular with Congolese youth during the 80s and 90s, this formation with multiple ramifications is an example for the young boy.
He actually sings in the church choir, but really starts the music during the holidays with friends of his age in the New City group in the early 90s.
Career Path
His career continues with other bands, such as Talent Latent, with whom he recorded the album “At work we know the artist” which appeared in 1999.
His participation earned him to be noticed by the Ivorian David Monsoh , artistic director and manager, who recommends him to Koffi Olomide, star of Congolese music. The latter, convinced, decided to integrate his young compatriot to his orchestra Latin Quarter.
For nearly seven years, the time of six albums, Fally Ipupa develops his talent as singer, but also author and dancer for his boss who, in return, gives him more and more responsibilities in his group until make it the conductor.
With this baggage, he who has gained confidence and is already decked out with nicknames praise (“Dicap the wonder”, in reference to the actor Leonardo Di Caprio, “Anelka”, in reference to the football player whose transfer s was raised to millions of dollars) leaves his mentor in 2006 to focus on his personal career.
His first album under his name, “Droit chemin”, was released the same year. The performance was entrusted to fellow guitarist Maika Munan, former winner of the RFI Discoveries prize in 1984 while the Ivorian Barbara Kanam and Ben-J, of the French duo Neg’marrons, were invited for duets.
In April 2007, Fally Ipupa performed in Paris, in the prestigious Olympia Hall, and welcomed some of her guests, as well as Lokua Kanza. In Abidjan, Ivory Coast, it is already full house when playing at the Palace of Culture.
The album allows him to be rewarded that same year to the Césaire of music where he receives the trophy of the best male performer. He also appears on the French-Malian rapper Mokobé’s album “Mon Afrique” and on Martin Princess Lover’s “All my dreams”.
In 2008, he gave some concerts in France, Belgium, Germany, the United States and Cameroon. His growing reputation on his continent is also confirmed in Burkina Faso where the singer receives in April the Kundé of the best artist of Central Africa.
With the same team, he recorded in Paris his second album. “Arsenal of beautiful melodies”, which gathers sixteen songs on a double CD, is marketed in 2009. The Guadeloupean Krys, figure of the West Indian dancehall, and the American singer of r’n’b Olivia agreed to share with him the microphone.
These all-round collaborations also lead Fally to participate in 2009 in the thirty years of the zouk Kassav ‘group at the Stade de France or to meet again on the album “Open son coeur” by the french singer Francis Lalanne while Barbara Kanam gives him the invitation on his CD “Karibu”.
The year 2010 begins for Fally at the Zenith of Paris, one of the largest cinemas in the capital. A dozen other concerts are planned in France as well as in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Great Britain, but some are canceled at the last moment, because, like other artists Congolese, it is the expense of campaigns in Europe by his compatriots of the Resistance movement, who accuse him of supporting the power in Kinshasa.
Its influence is also increasing in Africa, as evidenced by its shows in Chad, Zambia, Angola and South Africa. In his country, thanks to his album, the singer is distinguished at the Ndule Awards in three categories (Best Album of the Year, Best Clip, Best Song).
In June 2011, he is one of the artists programmed during the African Night at the Stade de France near Paris and performs at some of the leading European festivals in Roskilde in Denmark and Babel Med in France.
In Nigeria, he shares the poster of a big concert with the stars of the country then concludes the year on stage in Côte D’Ivoire.
His third album, “Power Kosa Leka”, was released in June 2013. Faithful to the Congolese variety, both in terms of music and writing, the 22 tracks (or 27, depending on the version) are a bit more famous. Charming singer dubbed with a dancer whose languid hips are a sensation.
The artist is nonetheless a citizen determined to take advantage of his status to help his compatriots: launched at the same time as the album, the Fally Ipupa Foundation acts in the field of health, education and housing and seeks to promote solidarity in a society with many ills.
In France, if the rapper Passi records with him a duet on the album “Era of Africa”, on his side Fally sends a signal with the single “Kitoko”, in the company of Youssoupha, one of the children of Tabu Ley Rochereau: the song – which is not on any record – is out of sync with its previous productions, and seems to announce a new register, more shaped for the French market.
The Congolese singer is also invited on stage at Bercy, the biggest hall in Paris, at the Grand Ball of Senegalese star Youssou N’Dour. On its continent, its area of influence is growing ever more since after Côte d’Ivoire in November, it goes to Equatorial Guinea in Malabo.
Although his name is closely associated with the album “Libre parcours” and is on the microphone on many songs on the CD, this project marketed in 2014 is officially attributed to his group F’Victeam.
In Africa, he gives three concerts in Gabon, returns to play in Abidjan, celebrates the Niamey Music Festival in Niger, participates in the Francofolies of Kinshasa in his country and finishes the year in Benin, after having been invited by the authorities Americans on the occasion of the United States-Africa summit.
The following year, we find him on stage in Cameroon, in Guinea in Conakry on the esplanade of the People’s Palace, then in Bamako in Mali, as well as at the Femua (Festival of urban music of Anoumabo) in Côte-d ‘Ivory. He also crosses the Atlantic to perform in Houston, Atlanta and Washington.
Fally’s net worth is estimated at around 20$ million, and he is considered to be one of the richest Africans in the music world.
Personal life
At the end of the year, the singer finds his compatriots on the occasion of a series of concerts organized in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The list of featurings for which he is asked continues to grow: after the French rapper Lino on his disc “Requiem”, it is Youssou N’Dour who invites him on “Africa Rekk” in 2016, then the rapper MHD on “My life”.
That year, Fally celebrated its ten-year career with live performances in Brazzaville (Congo), Dundo (Angola), and again in North America, before closing the year again to the Ivorian public.
The anticipated artistic turn is confirmed with “Tokooos”, the fourth album of Fally Ipupa that comes out in July 2017. The evolution was made in terms of production and musical direction, accentuating the urban style but with a much smaller Congolese dimension.
To accompany this change, renowned artists come to share the microphone: French rappers Booba, MHD, Belgo-Congolaise Shay, American R. Kelly or Nigerian Wizkid. The strategy pays off: the singles “Kiname” then “Bad Boy” are alternately certified Gold Disc in France.
With the singer Angélique Kidjo and the actress Chantal Tagbo, he composes the jury of the TV show “Africa has incredible talent” broadcast in 25 countries of French-speaking Africa.
In October, he performs at independence commemoration ceremonies in Zambia.
Quick summary
Full name: Faustin Ipupa Nsimba
Date of birth: December 14, 1977
Birthplace: DR Congo
Age: 42
Profession: Singer
Height: 1.85 m
Weight: 90 kg
Net Worth: 20$ million