Sheryl is originally from Congo, a central African country surrounded by Gabon, Cameroun, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Angola –this is why you can hear the intermingling of sounds from these countries in her music. Sheryl has gone ahead to win several awards in her country and France. I got the chance to interview this artist and we had the chance to cover her story so far, including her thoughts on the issues facing the DRC. Her CD “Lemo Yassa” is a must-listen. Enjoy the interview.

What brought about your interest in performance?

It came very early. “Being an artist” is something I’ve always dreamt of since I was a little girl. I’d catch this feeling whenever I would watch international singers perform on our national tele Congo (Brazzaville) or ex tele ZAIRE (now DRC) TV shows.

At what age did you start performing?
I started performing at age 8 or 9, I used to follow my mother to her church choir rehearsals in my native city of Pointe noire located by the Atlantic ocean and got further inspired there. I wound up joining the choir and singing with them. Later on, when I was either 15 or 16 years old, I joined local bands as a back up singer and started performing semi professionally at age 20 in the city of Brazzaville.

How did your family take your interest in music?

As you know, in most African countries, music is not the path most families would naturally expect their children to take for security reasons. My father was firmly opposed to my music when I started performing non church music. Secretly, I had my mother, brothers and sisters’ support.

What artists will you say inspire the kind of music you perform?

I am inspired by artists like Whitney Houston, Late Congolese divas like Abeti Masikini, Mpongo love, French West Indies Zouk stars like Tanya Saint Val, Kassav bands Jocelyn Beroard, Angelique Kidjo, South African legend Miriam Makeba, hip hop soul queen Mary J. Blidge and all of them women with strong artistic and vocal identity. I have also been influenced by many anonymous traditional music female singers from my native Mbochi culture and all other Congolese populations. My kind of music, which I call, “Afro Soul”, is a mixture of all the local Congolese cultural ingredients I grew up with – a mix of R&B, Soul, Caribbean, Latino music and Hip Hop flavors.

• Watch video musical of Sheryl doing “Essi di ya”

Congo is a country known for its great music, I am talking about music like Rhumba, Soukous, Ndombolo – then why did you choose to go into the R&B, Soul genre rather than sticking to more recognized music from your country?

You’re definitely right. Congolese music, Rumba, Soukous, Ndombolo is popular worldwide and I’m proud of it. However, it should be noted that those Urban music styles are only a small part of Congo’s cultural legacy. Congo possesses a choice of music as wide as the diversity of its populations.We’re talking about hundreds of rich rhythms here which are unfortunately less exposed. There’s a traditional music scene which happens to be the very background Soukous and Ndombolo musicians draw their inspiration from. So, besides Ndombolo, Soukous, there also is an alternative underground scene to which I belong; where Congolese artists mix their Congolese identities with other styles ranging from Reggae, Zouk, Salsa, Afro-beat, Hip hop and as far as I concerned, with Soul music, R&B. My producer and I are doing our “Afro Soul” music style out of passion and for the pleasure of presenting a different face of the Congolese musical scene. So it’s not simply following the Ndombolo’s bandwagon even though we can play some.

I know that you have performed with great artists like Papa Wemba? How did you feel performing on the same stage and receiving the same kind of acclaim that they have?

You know, receiving my 2007 “Tam Tam d’or” awards from legendary Congolese Rhumba icon Papa Wemba’s hands was such a blessing to me. He is such a model whose career is a real inspiration to any emerging artist. I had the pleasure of performing “live” with rapper Passi during his Congo Brazzaville tour on march 27 and 28, 2008 and also of collaborating with him on a track entitled “Désarmons nos coeurs” (let’s disarm our hearts) along with prestigious artists like legendary Kassav ’s leader Jacob Desverieux and DRC’s Rhumba star Fally Ipupa. That track was produced by rapper Passi with UNDP (United Nations Development Program), that track was recorded to support a national campaign designed to help collect light weapons still detained by ex-soldiers and militia men from war era of 1997 -98.
My debut album “Lemo Yassa” also granted me the chance of being selected among the 3 finalists of Radio France internationale’s 2008 Rfi Decouvertes 2008 prize out of 300 candidates. An event which gave me and my band the opportunity to perform “live” at Madagascar. Though I didn’t win the prize, just seeing the people of Madagascar being very receptive and supportive of my show was a pure blessing and encouragement to keep moving forward.

Beyond that, I know that you have also won several awards for your debut CD, “Lemo Yassa”, how did you learn that you had won? Were you expecting to win? What has happened in terms of attention since then?

I’ve been lucky with my debut album, “Lemo Yassa”. It earned me two “Tam Tam d’or” awards in the categories of “musical originality ” and ” Best New discovery and Artist Revelation”. I heard about my nominations on the radio. It was so emotional. Being selected was a happy surprise. Even though we knew we had a strong album, we didn’t expect to be picked as nominees and among the winners. We thank the jury’s openness. We took it as an encouragement to keep on exploring new musical boundaries. Both Tam Tam d’or awards and 2008 RFI Decouvertes prize granted me a stronger buzz and visibility nationally and beyond.

Being a recognized artists from the Congo, how do you handle the attention (press, fans, friends, fake friends) and how do you create a balance?

Actually I’m from Congo-Brazzaville. But you know, I also consider myself as a daughter of Congo DRC (formerly known as Zaire).because we share the same culture.
Our current artificial boundaries is just the consequence of our colonial history where 1884-1885 Berlin Conference had Colonial powers splitting Africa into pieces with parts of the same lands and people attributed to France, (Congo Brazzaville), other parts to Belgium, (Congo-Kinshasa) and others to Portugal (Angola). But we actually belong to the same family. As for jealous people, you cannot keep them from carrying negative feelings or criticizing. I rather prefer to concentrate on people with positive reactions. I have my faith as a shelter against negativity. I believe I handle it well.

Let’s come back to your CD, “Lemo Yassa”, apart from being a fresh new sound from Congo Brazzavaile, what other words will you use to describe your CD and your sound?

My CD “Lemo yassa” and my sound is contemporary African Urban music reflecting the life, tastes, aspirations of Congolese youth and of an African woman proud of her traditional culture and the diverse influences she’s inherited from Africa and the rest of the world. It is the combination of tradition and modernity. I mingle my native Mbochi language, and other ones like Lin gala with R& B, Soul music. I also sing in French, English. I have the feeling that this kind of fusion music will bring about a new Congolese Urban style .With our “Afro Soul”, we’re just following the paths of elder African icons like Fela Kuti who opened this mind set with his “Afro Beat” sound.

Who is the intended audience for this cd?

My music is for all ages, sexes, countries.

I know you have a couple of songs that seem quite personal- are they from your personal experience or experience that you have seen others go through ?

I am inspired by all events I go through be it personal or through other people’s experiences. My album title “Lemo yassa” ( let’s cut it out) was inspired by the war situation that my country Congo-Brazzaville went through back in 1997-98. It is an invitation to rather promote unity and peace. Without which there would be no stability, no evolution for our next generations. I also deal with issues like women’s fight for dignity and respect , love centered-issues and populations’plight through events like Katrina sufferings in southern USA (with the track Elikia on which I did a duet with Paris-based African American rapper from Philly Vince Mc Clenny).

What are the challenges that you’ve faced in your career so far?

One of the major challenges and problems I’ve faced on the local music scene is the lack of sound structures and genuine local producers, the lack of financial support to develop my concept and the lack of promoters likely to back up non Soukous or Ndombolo artists. Sometimes it feels so heavy that I almost quit but, my faith in God and in my abilities got me through.

I am sorry to bring this up but you know that this interview won’t be complete without discussing this: there has been a lot of horror stories coming out of the DRC in recent years, do you have anything to say about those? Has the political situation in the country affected your music sales or your performance in any ways?

As I said earlier, I am from Congo Brazzaville,but, the plight my brothers and sisters are going through in eastern Congo DRC is heartbreaking and hurts me so deeply. All these innocent victims sacrifices. This war situation definitely has an impact on music sales. You know, in those areas, people ’s priority is trying to survive and feed their themselves and their families first before even thinking of something else.
The situation is a bit calmer in other parts of the country. I keep giving shows throughout both Congos. I recently came back from Kinshasa for TV gigs and performances. My objective is having larger audience overseas.

Could you please tell us in your own words how you will describe your home country?

Congo Brazzaville is a beautiful country with warm and kind people, tasty soul food like “saka saka”, rich literature, good music and a nice landscape. Each year we have an international cultural festival entitled FESPAM which provides a genuine platform for all cultural genres of Africa. This could be an opportunity for visitors to find out our people’s vitality no matter how hard the situation happens to be.

What’s next for you Sheryl?
I will keep on promoting my work while working on some new music. We are working on a forthcoming tour in Northern Africa, France, the rest of Europe and hopefully the USA.

C’est après la reconnaissance de ces artistes, au niveau international, que le Ministère de la culture et des arts a songé à les honorer. Et comme pour paraphraser Jean-Claude Gakosso qui a, humblement, reconnu que «Nul n’est prophète dans son pays», on pourrait ajouter qu’il vaut mieux tard que jamais, pour une reconnaissance de ces porte-étendards de la musique congolaise, au niveau international. Cette entrevue a consisté en un échange courtois entre les artistes et le ministre, durant une demi-heure.

Accompagné de son producteur, Armand Mondjo, du label Dee Soul in Town, Sheryl a eu le plaisir d’être invitée à animer, avec d’autres artistes, la clôture de la 7ème édition du Fespam qui se déroulera au mois d’août prochain, à Brazzaville. Cette édition privilégiera, en effet, les artistes nationaux, a souligné le ministre. L’artiste, révélée par son premier opus, Lemoyasa, qui, aux dires de son producteur, a plus été un album promotionnel, travaille, actuellement, sur sa prochaine oeuvre qui comportera neuf titres.

Quant au groupe Lang’i, représenté par Oupta, Kébèn et Jess, le bassiste du groupe, c’est, en effet, leur beau parcours qui a été salué par le ministre.
Créé en 2003, cette formation musicale qui a pour têtes d’affiches le duo franco congolais Kébèn et Oupta, a, aujourd’hui, acquis une renommée qui dépasse nos frontières. Lang’i est l’initiateur d’un style de musique métissé et très coloré, qui fait, actuellement, des émules. Après avoir été finaliste du prix Découvertes Rfi 2005, remporté par l’Haïtien Belo, ce groupe a remporté la médaille de bronze, aux 5èmes Jeux de la francophonie. Il possède, à son tableau de chasse, plusieurs tournées et participations aux festivals, à travers le monde. C’est, d’ailleurs, le 28 février 2009 que le groupe est sorti de son chantier de création de plus d’un mois à Voka, dans le département du Pool. En attendant l’entrée en studio dans six mois.

La rencontre avec le ministre Jean-Claude Gakosso a donné l’occasion à Sheryl Gambo et Oupta de mettre en relief leurs talents vocales, à travers des aca pela. Entre la délicieuse voix veloutée de Sheryl et la voix au timbre grave et profond d’Oupta, c’est un pur instant de ravissement que ces dames ont servi à Jean-Claude Gakosso et ses collaborateurs. Avant l’échange au cours duquel les artistes à l’honneur ont exprimé les difficultés qu’ils rencontrent dans la promotion de leurs œuvres. Ils se sont plaints, non seulement du fait qu’ils ont du mal à vivre de leurs productions artistiques, mais aussi que les retombées liées à la promotion de leurs œuvres ne leur sont jamais reversées. Ils ont, en outre, demandé le soutien du Ministère de la culture et des journalistes pour la promotion de leurs œuvres. Soutien que Jean-Claude Gakosso leur a assuré, en leur avouant son admiration pour leurs talents confirmés et en s’estimant ouvert aux éventuelles propositions et suggestions de tous les artistes, afin que l’art et la culture au Congo aillent de l’avant.

LA SEMAINE

En 2007, elle a sorti son tout premier opus sur le marché de la musique, un opus intitulé “Lemoyassa”, qui cartonne avec des titres comme “Essi diya”, “Baninga Bassi”, “Otema”, “Kiala no” et bien d’autres.
Cet album lui a valu deux prix lors des “Tam-tam d’Or”, trophées de la musique Congolaise, édition 2007. Il s’agit des prix “Originalité musicale” et “Découverte”.

Dernièrement elle a œuvré aux côtés de trois ambassadeurs de la bonne volonté du Programme des nations unies pour le développement (PNUD), notamment PASSY, Fally IPUPA et Jacob DESVARIEUX, dans l’élaboration de la chanson “Désarmons nos cœurs”, une œuvre entièrement conçu en vue de sensibiliser les populations et de les appeler à restituer les armes de guerres n’ayant pas été remises aux forces de l’ordre. La jeune artiste a participé à la 4ème édition du festival de la musique Escalator le 5 juillet 2008. Un mouvement culturel initié dans le cadre de la promotion de la musique Congolaise.

Nous nous réjouissons de la nomination de Sheryl GAMBO pour concourir lors des finales du concours “Découvertes RFI”, par fierté nationale toutes les Congolaises et tous les Congolais se doivent de lui apporter leurs suffrages sur : http://www.rfi.fr/concoursfr/articles/105/article_645.asp

L’album qui lui a valu sa sélection, fait d’un R’n’B bien propret, mondialiste, fadasse et convenu, façon musique d’ascenseur, est bien loin de montrer les capacités vocales et d’originalité qui peuvent certainement être celles de l’artiste. Il est entièrement réalisé dans l’optique Concours des Découvertes RFI, dont le parti pris pour les options diplomatiques Françaises du moment, est patent.

Le disque de Sheryl GAMBO est un produit commercial à usage politique. Sa promotion en cours fait figure d’alibi, elle est déterminée: elle veut apporter un style plus moderne et authentique, adapté à la jeunesse actuelle.

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http://www.deesoulintown.com
www.myspace.com/sherylgambo

Elle restaure les passerelles ‘naturelles’ entre le patrimoine culturel du continent mère avec celui des diaspora Afro-américaines, Caribéennes et d’ailleurs. SHERYL mélange agréablement les mélodies issues de la tradition Africaine avec des arrangements Jazzy, Soul, agrémentées de vibes R&B et HIP HOP en faisant le choix de chanter dans les langues de son pays : MBOCHI, LINGALA …en plus de l’Anglais et du Français.

Vestige de ses nombreuses années de Gospel au sein des chorales de Brazzaville, SHERYL est dotée d’une voix hors pair chargée d’une sensibilité et d’une puissance émotionnelle irrésistible. Elle s’est révélée au grand public par de mémorables performances vocales dans le cadre du festival international FESPAM aux côtés d’illustres vedettes telles que YOUSSOU NDOUR, SALIF KEITA… Grâce à une fructueuse collaboration avec le label DEE SOUL IN TOWN la diva nous dévoile son univers musical métis à travers son premier album LEMOYASSA.

Une production Africaine innovante concoctée entre l’Afrique, les USA, l’Autriche, à l’image d’une Afrique moderne, inventive, entreprenante et fière de ses racines.