Kwassa kwassa
Encyclopedia
Kwassa kwassa is a dance rhythm from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
that started in the 1970s where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. It was very popular in Africa
in the late 1980s. The words kwassa kwassa may have come from the French
quoi ça? ("what is it?"). The dance was created by Pepe Kalle
and popularized by his soukous
music videos, as well as the videos of Kanda Bongo Man
, Viva La Musica
, and other Congolese musicians.
Later, in other parts of Africa, the dance became a synonym for soukous
music, which is still often referred to as kwassa kwassa. A slower version of this genre has been created and popularized by Koffi Olomide
and his band Quarter Latin. Their songs have enjoyed massive airplay throughout Africa in countries like Botswana
, Zimbabwe
, South Africa
, Senegal
and others. Metavo is also very popular in South Africa.
This kind of beat is referenced in the 2008 song "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
" by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend
.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
that started in the 1970s where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. It was very popular in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
in the late 1980s. The words kwassa kwassa may have come from the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
quoi ça? ("what is it?"). The dance was created by Pepe Kalle
Pepe Kalle
Pepe Kalle was a soukous singer, musician and bandleader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
and popularized by his soukous
Soukous
Soukous is a dance music genre that originated in the two neighbouring countries of Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa...
music videos, as well as the videos of Kanda Bongo Man
Kanda Bongo Man
Kanda Bongo Man, born 1955 in Inongo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a prominent soukous musician.Kanda Bongo Man become the singer for Orchestra Belle Mambo in 1973, developing a sound influenced by Tabu Ley...
, Viva La Musica
Viva La Musica
Viva La Musica is a popular band from Zaire founded by singer Papa Wemba in 1977. While Viva La Musica started out as a soukous band , it eventually grew into a world music act, reaching some popularity and success in the European, American, and even Asian markets, as well as in most of Africa...
, and other Congolese musicians.
Later, in other parts of Africa, the dance became a synonym for soukous
Soukous
Soukous is a dance music genre that originated in the two neighbouring countries of Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa...
music, which is still often referred to as kwassa kwassa. A slower version of this genre has been created and popularized by Koffi Olomide
Koffi Olomide
Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, also known as Koffi Olomide , is a DR Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer, and composer. He is also known by a multitude of other names and aliases.-Background:...
and his band Quarter Latin. Their songs have enjoyed massive airplay throughout Africa in countries like Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
and others. Metavo is also very popular in South Africa.
This kind of beat is referenced in the 2008 song "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is the fourth single by indie rock band, Vampire Weekend, released 18 August 2008. The song was rated 67th best song of 2007 by Rolling Stone magazine.-Tracklist:Digital Download :...
" by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
.