S6 E12: The fantastic epic of Rumba: From Kongo Empire to Cuba! (Part 1/3)

My African Cliches (English)

If you take a close look at history books, you will certainly find examples of decisive moments where music and power crossed paths. And by now, there must be some of those examples of moments already jostling in your head? Perhaps you are thinking of the encounter between the genius of Mozart conquered by the Freemasons? Or maybe between the composer Richard Wagner, dreamed but impossible love of King Louis the Second of Bavaria? And what about the one between Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich manhandled like a toy by Stalin? Or the one between the Italian French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, who only lived to magnify French King Louis the Fourteen? Last but not least and perhaps the most spectacular of all, is the encounter between the incredible British talent, Ethel Smyth, and the Suffragette revolution in Great Britain.

Yes, the list is very long of this type of encounters, but as you notice, most are examples from Europe. Yet in Africa, such encounters exist, a major one that deserves mention is a crossing between a man of power, the former president of Zaire, (current DRC), President Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za ​​Banga, and a type of music, but can you guess which one? We will find this out soon…