Between World Africa Douala and Paris, Lagos and Berlin, Asmara and Amsterdam, the singers Irma, Nneka and Rimon to make youtube viral and break down geographical and artistic borders.
Every Wednesday World Africa
World Africa presents three new musical releases from or inspired by the continent. This week, focus on three “Afropaean” singers – a word popularized by the Cameroonian novelist Léonora Miano. Shared between Cameroon and France for Irma, Nigeria and Germany for Nneka, Eritrea and the Netherlands for Rimon .
Between Douala and Paris, Lagos and Berlin, Asmara and Amsterdam, the singers Irma, Nneka and Rimon break down geographical and artistic boundaries.
Every Wednesday, Le Monde Afrique presents three new musical releases from or inspired by the continent. This week, focus on three “Afropaean” singers – a word popularized by the Cameroonian novelist Léonora Miano – shared between Cameroon and France for Irma, Nigeria and Germany for Nneka, Eritrea and the Netherlands for Rimon .
DOUALA PARIS FROM IRMA
Born in 1998 in Bangangté, Cameroon, and arrived in France as a teenager. Irma Pany became known about ten years ago by posting videos on YouTube. Which she covered songs from the Jackson Five or Macy Gray on vocals and guitar, first solo then alongside stars such as Matthieu Chédid.
Since then, water has flowed under the bridges and in May the artist World Africa published his fourth album. Douala Paris, which brings together eight songs composed over the round trips between the two cities.
Between folk, afropop and French song, Irma even allows herself a detour through rap in the eponymous title.
YANSH BY NNEKA
It is also a rap that Nneka Egbuna chose to publish in a youtube viral clip, at the beginning of June, with Yansh, a title taken from her new opus, Love Supreme, released in February.
Reference to John Coltrane? Maybe. In any case, the singer born in 1981 in Warri, Nigeria World Africa (her father’s country). And living since the age of 18 in Hamburg, Germany (her mother’s), more influenced by soul music and youtube viral. ‘Erykah Badu, the hip-hop of Lauryn Hill or the afrobeat of Fela Kuti.
An accomplished artist, she took advantage of the absence of concerts linked to the Covid-19 pandemic to refine her drawing skills and create the album cover herself.
World Africa 20/20 BY RIMON
Finally, off to Amsterdam, where the newest R&B sensation is Rimon Bahere. Born in 1997 in Eritrea World Africa, the young woman arrived very young in the Netherlands with her mother. At 17, she left high school to travel and make music youtube viral with composer Samuel Kareem.
Eight years later, she numerous singles to her credit – including the one that made her breakthrough, Grace, in 2018. Because a stint on Colors and three EPs, including Digital Tears, released in September 2021. So, the six songs which compose it and promote it, 20/20 was the subject of a very beautiful clip that the singer dedicated to Ethiopia, neighboring country of Eritrea torn by the war in Tigray and World Africa.