Valencia is home to Congo-born, Afro-pop musician Doudou Nganga. He was raised in Kinshasa … “a city torn apart by wars created by the appetite of our world for the wealth of its soil.”  He is a fine arts graduate from his homeland and furthered his studies at University of Valencia and has stayed here ever since.

Nganga has distilled his experience into top-grade musicianship, showmanship, spirit and inspiration. For those who have seen him perform, one may have experienced the loving energy he brings to the stage. It is akin to the “oneness” felt at a Bob Marley concert.

Now, he and his musical team are launching a new project. This month marks production for a recording titled ‘Tokororo’. But there is a crucial collaboration role for his fans. Nganga is launching a crowdsourcing campaign with the goal of raising 5450€. With a graduated list of donation premiums, donors can receive the CD, t-shirt and other premiums for their support. To be a part of this effort, click here: https://www.verkami.com/projects/39722-grabacion-del-album-tokororo-de-doudou-nganga

This Friday 10th January, 7:30 PM, Doudou Nganga with Eric Simone will be performing at Sankofa: C/ Beata Inés, 10, Valencia 46018 to support the recording project. Attendance it free. Project donations encouraged. https://www.instagram.com/espaisankofa/

Nganga explains in his press release that the tocororo, a magnificent bird endemic to Cuba that doesn’t survive very long in captivity and is therefore a symbol of freedom. A fitting metaphor for the release.

He continues “freedom in my artistic and life path has been a road of many turns, love stories and up-and-downs to eventually find oneself again, cure the scars of the soul until a new metamorphosis.” And “This new work also reflects a family and friendships history, of new roots added to the ancient ones.”

“I will integrate in the album this melting pot which is my life: from Congo where I was born to Europe and Spain where I live. The 8/10 songs that will be part of the disc tell universal stories in Lingala, my mother-tongue, and 1 or 2 will be in French.”

In order to produce a disc of great professional quality, he is working with Eric Rousselbin Dura ( agent), Juan Casas Navarro with Julio Valdeolmillos of Shark Estudios: https://www.sharkestudios.com/

Also, renowned musicians forming part of this new album by Doudou will be Mariano Steimberg Ales Cesarini, Carlos Medina, Ibu Gueye, Bobby Lycantho, Luca Bordonaro and Jason Faust.

More info: https://linktr.ee/DoudouNganga

Report by Phillip Solomonson

Article copyright  24/7 Valencia

Photo ‘Doudou Nganga’ copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ’24/7 Valencia’