Biography
Alain Nkossi Konda is a very gifted singer/songwriter originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. At a tender age he went to the U.S.A with his father who was then working as a diplomat for the United Nations Development Program. Says Nkossi, "My father was a member of the Salvation Army church choir in his youth where they sang songs in harmony. Both of my parents enjoyed singing and have very good voices..., my brother and sisters and I have been singing for as long as I can remember.”
During the nearly 30 years he spent in the urban jungle of New York, Nkossi earned a reputation as a hard working musician/producer within the NYC Afro Pop community. He is a respected innovator who effortlessly combines his African musical heritage with his new American homeland, creating what he calls “Culture Pop” which is a combination of Funk, Soukous and Reggae with Pop hooks, sung in French, English and Lingala.
His first album, Adiyoyo Mona Lisa was released in 1998. In 1999, Nkossi became the first artist to be signed by Harry Belafonte for his new label Niger Records/Palm Pictures in collaboration with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.
During the spring of 2001, Nkossi and his associate Jim Savitt set up their own production company, Afrikool. Their objective was to provide the necessary tools facilitate cultural exchange between African artists and their American counterparts.
Nkossi has won many international songwriting Awards in the "World Music" category:
2001: Finalist in the U.S.A. Songwriting Contest with the song “Tambula malembe”
2002: Both first and second prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with songs respectively titled “Unconditional Love” and “Story Tellers”.
2003: Semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition with his song “Foot of the Hill”; Winner in the Nashville Christmas Song competition with his original track “Bells Ringing”.
2004: Finalist in the U.K. Songwriting Competition with a new composition titled “Your Anything”; Honorable Mention for U.S.A Songwriting Competition with another title “Bolingo”; Honorable Mention for the International Songwriting Competition with a new title “Moment of Truth” which was the second 1st runner-up during the selection process for the official song for the 2005 World Nordic Championships, held in Obersdorf, Germany.
2005: Winner of the "World" category of the West Coast Songwriters Contest with the title “Unacceptable” and Honorable Mention for “Pulling the Rug”.
Nkossi also placed among the top 500 Songwriters entered in the 13th Annual BILLBOARD World Song Contest and won 2 Honorable Mention awards with his tracks "Only for a Moment" and "Foot of the Hill" which are both featured on his album “Nostalgia 3C1S1V”
2006: First prize and Honorable Mention (Session 1) for the International John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the titles “Na ndimaki te” & “Tambula malembe”; Best Solo Male Artist & Best Songwriter for Germany at the Music Aid International Awards.
2007: First Prize in World/ Reggae category of the International UNISONG Songwriting Contest with the title “Take my soul to keep” ; repeat winner.
as the Best Solo Male Artist & Best Songwriter for Germany at the 2007 Music Aid International Awards.
His most recent achievement is a nomination by the French Academic Society for Arts, Sciences & Letters for high services rendered towards Arts & Culture, awarded to 200 Laureats from around the world in May 2009.
Nkossi is aware of the power of music, and his desire to communicate through it transcends borders. He belongs to a group of artists who understand that music is a wonderful way to convey ideas, feelings and passions. Music overwhelms him, devours him to the point where he manages to dominate it and shape it in such a way that we perceive it as a universal language.
This is a language that he likes to share and which he transcends during his live performances. During his stage acts you are immersed into his musical world and cannot help but be carried away by his innovative style. iIt lifts and stirs you up.
Alain is a committed Activist & Goodwill Ambassador for the Munich, Germany-based Water Foundation of which the Honorable Dalai Lama is a Patron www.wasserstiftung.de
Alain’s current release is titled "Visions of Africa-pella" available in the G.A.S Territories since May 2008. The album will be released in France available through Mosaic Music Distribution www.mosaicmusicdistribution.com
He is applying the finishing touches to his next album "Fololo fire" which will be released in early spring of 2010 The album is a joint venture production between Afrikool & the Orlando/Florida-based Goin' Native label. The following featured tracks "Fololo" & "Already yours" were arranged by Nkossi & Eric Kaye, mixed by Neil Mclellan at The Lodge recording in NYC.
Current productions include:
1- a Multi Kulti animation series for children titled “Shadow & the Kool, kool times” with his partners in the new Koolnimation Media Group www.koolnimation.com, Arnel & Ryan Cosca.
2- Production/ composition of a single titled "Rainy day" for rapper KCB (US 3).
Instrumentation
Alain Nkossi Konda (Rhythm guitar & Lead vocals); Jim Savitt (Lead guitar & Backing vocals); Kene Lucas (Bass); Ze Mauricio ( Percussions);Nicole Collins (Backing vocals); Adrian Harpman (Drums); Ted Cruz (Keys & Piano).
Discography
Website
http://www.afrikool.com
1st Single: title "Bolingo" feat on the BRAZEN Original Soundtrack released on SONY/ Epic in 1994, Produced by Grammy Winning Producer Gordon Williams.
Featured on a track titled KOKO from the album "Saturday" by Deep House Pioneer Kerri Chandler & Jerome Syndenham (Ibadan Records) 1996.
Featured + Co-wrote on 2 titles: “Afrida” & “Unclear Reasons” from the album "Gentle Flower" by artist JASMON a.k.a LEMONGRASS.
Production & composition of a sports anthem track titled: "Overtime" for the ADIDAS Official Website which was featured during the 2006 WorldCup Soccer Tournament in Germany.
Featured as guitarist on a track titled "Dance like an African" on the last album LOUNATIC by Lou Bega a.k.a Mr. Mambo #5.
Featured on RAMONES Tribute compilation "All good Cretins go to heaven" (http://www.ramones-tribute.de/) with a cover version of "I want to be your boyfriend".
Albums:
"Adiyoyoyo" Mona Lisa released in 1998 on Tabilulu Records & Freedomzone.
"Africa-pella" released in 2002 distributed by Zomba in Europe and for the United States by Cdbaby (www.CDbaby.com)
"Nostalgia 3C1S1V" (Limited Edition)
An exclusive BEYERDYNAMIC 6 song EP titled "Breeze Session" is available for FREE from the company by request for promotional purposes in support of Mr. Konda by one of his main sponsors. Get yours available through www.beyerdynamic.de
"Visions of Africa-pella" available from Culture Taxi Records (www.culturetaxi.com ) & in France through Mosaic Music Distribution ( www.mosaicmusicdistribution.com).
New album titled "Fololo Fire" which was produced jointly with the Orlando, Florida-based Goin’ Native Records will be released in 2010 followed by a North American, Canadien & European Tour.
The pre-production of a follow up album titled "Mighty Congo River" (2011 release) is available for audition.
Afrosphere 10 album series availabl worldwide for digital purchase on Itunes & other providers distributed by IODA. (www.iodalliance.com)
Projects:
Pre-production and arrangement of the official 2005 World Nordic Championship Song titled "Live Your Dream" at SAMPLES & MORE Studios in Rottach.
Production of Bob Marley Tribute record titled "A Timeless Vibrations" featuring various artists performing Mr. Marley's classic hits in many different genres including Roots Reggae, Pop, Swing, Zouk, R&B/ Hip Hop, and Folk Ballad… The project is featured among the 10 albums from “Afrosphere series” and it can be auditioned on Itunes.
Executive producer and concept for:
"The Diaspora for Africa": Vol1, Vol2 & Vol3 Benefit Compilation album series for the FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL MALNUTRITION.The compilation albums feature tracks donated by various artists from the African Diaspora & their Western counterparts.
SPONSORS:
www.beyerdynamic.de
Alain recorded the vocals for the 5 songs featured on this EPK with the Beyerdynamic MC840 / for live concerts he uses a personalised M(y)88 microphone Exclusively design for him.
www.yamaha.com
www.behringer.de
www.Magix.net
www.emu.com
PARTNERS:
www.cultureTaxi.com
www.bugmusic.de
www.bosworth.de
www.cafesonique.com
www.mastermixstudio.de
Links
| http://www.afrikool.com |