Audio By Vocalize
Lingala music is not merely music. It is a sophisticated cultural text.
I have never attempted to hide the fact that I love Lingala music. I deliberately put aside the demands of academic life to enjoy its irresistible rhythms.
More precisely, I look forward to what happens when the seben arrives. For the uninitiated, the seben is the electrifying instrumental climax of a Congolese rumba song. It is the moment when the lead guitar takes centre stage. The drummer, in turn, drives the rhythm with infectious energy and the entire ensemble invites listeners to become participants.
For me, when that moment comes, I consciously set aside the demands that ordinarily occupy my mind and simply become a grateful admirer of one of Africa's greatest musical traditions.
