Kaïssa Biography
Kaïssa was Born in 1964 in Yaoundé (Cameroon), Sylvie Marie Doumbé Claude Moulongo aka Kaïssa Doumbé is a writer, composer and singer based in New York, USA, since 1996, after living in Paris for 20 years. His texts on the socio-economic realities of the world, poverty, conflict, injustice, but also the heroes of the struggle for freedom, the joy of living, peace, unity, sung in a rich voice , powerful and with multiple inflections in a dozen languages, including Douala, Baka, Xhosa, Malinké, French or English.
The one who defines herself as a “panafricaine” integrates into her afro-pop her various Cameroonian influences ( makossa , mangambeu, bolobo, assiko …), South African ( mbaqanga), Nigerian ( afro-beat ), Mandingo , Congolese ( rumba ), American ( jazz , blues , funk , pop , folk ) or Jamaican ( reggae , ragga ) …
Kaïssa Age
Kaïssa was Born in 1964, She is 54 years as of 2018.
Kaïssa family of artists
Last dune family of 10 children, including several artists: a stylist mother, a sister dancer, a brother painter, two bass brothers and another guitarist-singer, Kaïssa Doumbé grows up, rocked by the Afro-folk sonorities of his uncle Eboa Lotin , and begins his 5 years singing to entertain his family. She will also be influenced by her compatriots Anne-Marie Nzie , Ekambi Brillant , Manu Dibango , Toto Guillaume , Charles Ewanje Epee, South African Miriam Makeba , Malian Salif Keita , Americans Michael Jackson and Randy Crawford, and Jamaican Bob Marley …
At the age of 13, she was sent to Paris (France) for medical treatment, which was to be of short duration, but eventually required her to settle in the French capital, given the regularity with which she had to go to the hospital. This is how she attended high school and university in Paris, while learning the music with his brother Raymond Doumbé , excellent bassist who played with Miriam Makeba , Paul Simon, Salif Keita , Mory Kante , David Lewis Band, Papa Wemba , Big African Band, Ricky Ford Quartet …
Kaïssa Career
After her bachelor’s degree, Kaïssa Doumbé pursued law studies at the University of Nanterre Paris X, under the insistence of my father who was destined for a career as a lawyer at the Douala Bar. While attending classes, she secretly did studio sessions and concerts with various artists, including some of her idols. These experiences and his first concert initiated by his brother Raymond Doumbé allowed him to sing in at least a dozen languages, with artists from all walks of life. She realizes that she was much more attracted to music than law, and that singing was her passion. ” One day, I told daddy” the right, it will be in another life “.
Soon, Kaïssa Doumbé begins to make a name in the music world. She will accompany, besides her brother Raymond Doumbé , a group of famous artists, as chorister in studio or on stage: Charlélie Couture, Manu Dibango , Pierre Akendengue , Salif Keïta , Cesaria Evora , Brice Wassy , Koffi Olomide , Awa Maïga , Jack Djeyim , Romeo Dika , Teta Lando , Papa Wemba , Toto William , Grace Decca , Philip Nikwé ( Alafia), André Manga, Jean-Michel Jarre, Medy Dayas, Alain Agbo, Geo Masso, Miriam Makeba , Diana Ross, etc. These various experiences will serve him to compose or write his songs.
Fascinated by the musical diversity of New York during an American tour in 1994, Kaïssa Doumbé decided to settle there in 1996. A few months later, she set up her band, surrounded by excellent musicians, to develop her own vision. music. In 2002, while she has not yet signed with a record company, her title “Nika Pata Lambo” is selected for the compilation Global Soul , conducted by Putumayo, the opportunity to have a real visibility for its future album thanks to the worldwide distribution of this American label.
Kaïssa Albums
- Looking There 2005
- Am So Happy2011
Kaïssa Songs
- Oa
- Nengue Dipita
- Myango
- Mamelodie
- Makala Ma Mbasi
- Lonon
- I Am So Happy
- Fanta
- Eyala
- Baka
- A Ghetto In The Sahara
- Afro Beat
- To Ndje
- Ntyilo Ntyilo
- Wa
- O Si Keka
- Sangwam
- Ombwa Te
- Mumi
- Eyou
- Alea So
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When an original voice rises up, music lovers are moved to listen. Now Kaïssa (real name Sylvie Doumbé Moulongo) is the one motivating a fast-growing audience, connecting through soaring vocal talents and the irresistible African-inspired rhythms of her songs.
A child of the culturally rich Republic of Cameroon, Kaïssa’s passion was fuelled by the romance of Paris, where her family relocated to while she was still young. Kaissa’s vocal ability began to turn heads in studios throughout the City of Lights, and when the opportunity to join French multi-media artist CharlElie Couture’s European tour arose, Kaïssa stepped on the bus and never looked back.
Kaïssa’s voice is a unique instrument – an electric mix of character and clarity, strength and fragility, total control and unbridled joy. Besides captivating audiences, her peers took notice as well, winning her a steady stream of work around the world with luminary artists such as: Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba, Salif Keita, Jean-Michel Jarre, Cesaria Evora, Martha Wash, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, and David Byrne, to name a few.
Now New York-based, Kaïssa has surrounded herself with a group of world-class musicians that are building on her vision. Her debut album, LOOKING THERE was released in March 2004 by Sony Music South Africa and received rave reviews for its highly engaging vocals and pulsating African/Western rhythmic backdrops.
Behind the beauty, however, there is always a message, with Kaissa’s poignant lyrics talking frankly about the human condition, speaking out against war and injustice, and calling gloriously to her native Cameroon for its love of life and the human spirit. Other heartfelt topics include the joy of playing music, and her connection to relatives both living and passed on, while the album’s title speaks to Kaïssa’s own personal way of looking for others, or “beyond”.
Success breeds success, and LOOKING THERE has led Kaïssa to the next level, with featured slots on four Putumayo compilations including GLOBAL SOUL, WORLD REGGAE, WOMEN OF AFRICA and WOMEN OF THE WORLD-ACOUSTIC. Her riveting performance at the XVI Africa Festival in Würzburg Germany in May, 2004 led critics to dub her “one of the future great voices of Africa”. The screen is also squarely in Kaissa’s sights, with multiple television appearances helping to expose her to an even wider audience.
Paul Simon’s retrospective residency at the BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC in April 2008 exposed Kaïssa to such an audience, she has been chosen as one of the guest performers (among David Byrne, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Luciana Souza and Vusi Mahlasela) to sing several of Paul Simon songs comprising UNDER THE AFRICAN SKIES concerts, which celebrated GRACELAND and THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS albums.
During the same time, Kaïssa’s new track LONON appeared on a new, children-oriented Putumayo World Music compilation AFRICAN DREAMLAND. Since September 2008 Kaïssa has been on the road with SONGS OF DAVID BYRNE AND BRIAN ENO World Tour.
With a new album in the works, this unforgettable artist continues to expand her sphere. Rest assured, Kaïssa’s voice is original, and it is being heard.