Order “Jose Louis And The Paradox Of Love” – https://pierrekwenders.lnk.to/JoseLouis

“He’s been called the king of Congolese Rumba, Papa Wemba has also been one of my idols and biggest inspirations. He’s paved the way for so many artists and has brought congolese rumba to another extent. His passing in 2016 was devastating for all rumba lovers. I knew from that day that I wanted to pay homage to him. This video is a clin d’oeil to his essence and elegance. Being one of the founding fathers of la Sape, I wanted this video to showcase beauty and swagg as Papa Wemba would. Teaming up with Daniel Amoakoah was a dream come true. I knew he would bring the vision to life.”

Director’s Note: The visual for the song tells a trippy story of Pierre falling deeper and deeper into a dream. It gave the viewers the opportunity to see the world through Pierre’s eyes as he floats in a trolley, or is engulfed in flowers. I intertwined visual references to the artist and legend himself, Papa Wemba, in two of the scenes; drawing inspiration from his album artwork in our art direction. My work with Pierre has always been story-heavy. This time, Papa Wemba gave us the opportunity to be experimental and tie in new aspects we hadn’t used before such as computer generated worlds and artificial visual effects. It’s a light step into the tech space for Pierre and I.

CREDITS

Director: Daniel Amoakoh @Di.Artha
DOP: Henry J Gill @Thehenrygill
Production Company: Blanguage @Blanguage.Online
Art Director: Patricia Roberts @Patricia_Roberts88
Executive Producers: Herve Kalongo @Thejoungjesus | Junior Olomowewe @Jrcertified
Producer: Sihle Khumalo @Desireesihle
Production Designer: Brie Ahmed @Brie.Creativco
Editor: Travis Komarnisky @Lil__Trav
Grading: Mathieu Marano @Ilovehue @Cineground
VFX: Cream Projects @Creamprojects
Gaffer: Matthew Hawkins
Spark: Mackenzie Stretch @Mackenziestretch
Camera Assistant/Trainee: Paul Ifeneziuche @Paulywaulyy Runners: Ronita Gordon @Ronitatemiyato_ | Fran Ellis @Franellis1 Editorial Photographer: Daniel Fummo @Danielfummo
Casting: Sam Wootton @_Samwootton @Contact.Creatives Models:Tonique Sewell @Toniquesewell
Kenya Smith @Kenyashania
Kelvin Ayivor @Kelvin5star
Akasha @Que3nofthedamned
Hair Stylist: Rohmarra Kerr @Rohmempire
Hair Assistant: Heidi Hawthorne @inandout.hbs
Stylist: Ignacio De Tiedra @Ignaciodetiedra
Styling Assistant: Moria Gonazalez @Moiralez
Make-Up Artist: Rocio Cuenca @Rorocuenca
Make-Up Assistant: Elisenda Amorós @elisendamakeup

Music/Musicians:
Produced by Tendai Baba Maraire
Saxophone by Madearis MD Dixon
Strings by Andrew Joslyn
Guitars by Hussein H-Bomb Kalonjo
Backing vocals by Mopao Mumu

LYRICS

Lyrics by José Louis Modabi

Destin ya moto, cadeau
Trait d’union otiya
Mayi ya pembe, liso ya mokonzi
Muzangila atia ba Jetons
Muzangila atia ba Jetons
De generation en generation

Chaussures au pied, c’est croco
Manteau sur corps Yamamoto
Quatre-vingt-quinze, Masatomo
Lelo sans toi
Y’a pas photo, y’a pas photo, y’a pas photo!

Yaka tobina danse mokongo pasi, eh papa
Tokobina makolo ngulu eh, eh papa
Ya biso chance eloko pamba, eh papa
Shé…shégué… chance eloko pamba!

Shégué shégué shégué shégué shégué

Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani

Bakala dia kuba somo trop somo trop
Marie Valencia, Dixième Commandement
To yokaki, oyembaki, Olabaki na biso
Rumba ewumela
To yokaki, o lobaki, Rumba!

Yaka tobina danse mokongo pasi
Tokobina makolo ngulu eh
Ya biso chance eloko pamba (chance eloko pamba)

Shégué shégué shégué shégué shégué

Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani

Na Bruxelles, Reference ya Shagy Sharufa

Tout le monde, Papa Wemba
Tous les soirs, Papa Wemba
Tout le monde, Papa Wemba
Tous les soirs, Papa Wemba

Shégué shégué shégué shégué

Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani
Papa wemba, Kuru Yaka, Ekumani