Joy Keys chats with Singer Syssi Mananga

Congolese Singer Syssi Mananga

My first album "Retour aux Sources" (i.e. Back to Roots) was released in 2013. The flagship title of this album was Tala Ngai which was awarded by the Couleurs Talent Competition of Radio France Internationale (RFI). Nominations in the category of Best Female Artist of Central Africa in international music awards (Kora Awards and Afrima Awards in 2016, AFRIMMA Awards in 2017, Tam Tam d'Or of the Decade in 2017) and awards for best songs (Tam Tam D'Or for Ndjele in 2013, Beatstreet Award in 2017 for Chéri; Beyond Music Creativity Award (Tina Turner Foundation) for Matumaini in 2019). This year again, the song Nawe, second single from the album Mopepe Mama to come in April 2021 is in the semi-finals of the International Songwriting Contest.

"Mopepe Mama” is an opus of 12 tracks, all infused with my acoustic and blended musical savor. For this album, I collaborated with virtuoso musicians from the World Music and international scenes, notably Japanese trumpeter Shunzo Ohno (Grammy Award Winner), Brazilian guitarist Swami Jr (Latin Grammy Award Winner), Congolese guitarist Chris Bakalanga (Freshlyground), American kora player Kane Mathis (Earshot Jazz "Album of The Year Award”), South African bassist Shaun Johannes, Ugandan rapper Keya Nemesis (twice MTV Base Music Awards Nominee) and Swiss flutist Sandro Friedrich (soundtrack from the movie "Lord of the Rings").