Press Release Courtesy Euloge Makombo of iMak Entertainment:

It almost seems like a flashback in the Congolese musical scene: Could it be Pepe Ndombe, a/k/a Paul Opetum Ndombe, Congo’s amazing tenor who sang with Afriza, O.K Jazz, Pepe Kalle, Bana OK, and the legendary Tabu Ley?

It is in fact his son, Baby Ndombe, the 5-foot-ten, two hundred pounds of fun who is taking his own musical strides like no other second-generation musician in Congo has ever dared. Gifted with a similar dynamic tenor voice that his father mesmerized crowds with, decades ago, Baby Ndombe a/k/a Baby Black, is Africa’s next sensation and a superstar pioneering his own unusual and new musical style and carrying his entire generation along with him for the ride.

Born in Kinshasa, Congo in March 03, 1974, Baby Black started singing at a very tender age watching his father at concerts closely. He is the fourth out of 9 children who are all very musical. Besides his father and family as his main musical influences, Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Michael Jackson as well as Mary J. Blige also inspired Baby Black.

Baby Black first came to the public attention in 1995, when he started singing professionally with Congo’s finest groups and musicians like: Wenge Musica Maison Mere, Bill Clinton, Werra Son and Pierre Moutouary. He has performed all over Congo, Africa and many European countries such as France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Holland, Italy and Germany. When he was a part of Werra Son, he also performed in the US as well as Canada.

Like many artists who mature with experience and seek to explore new ventures in their musical careers, Baby Black sought to go solo after realizing a need to take modern African Music where no one else had tried before. His new creation, Soukou-Ragga, is self-explanatory, a marriage between Soukous music, predominantly played in the Congo and Ragga, a variation of Reggae music similar to dancehall. His style, especially on stage, is a charismatic blend of Rumba, Soukous, Ragga, repetitive chants and phrases, with some note bending, slurs and tonal colors. Though he's often animated and full of energy in the more rhythmic tunes, his ability to fit into restrictive older Congolese Music is a clear indication of his outstanding versatility.

Baby Black announces the arrival of his Soukou-Ragga in his new single, "Let’s Dance", in which he beckons everybody in Africa and around the world to join him in this new venture in experiencing a new form of music that not only unique but filled with inspiring messages and lyrics. Some of the common themes that he incorporates in his music include: Love, Unity, Politics and general topics regarding Africa and his homeland Congo.

"I want my music to do much more than just entertain. I want it to bring solidarity, especially in the African Diaspora, uniting Africans in the motherland with their brothers and sisters in the Carribean, Americas and other parts of the world." With strong messages of hope and inspiration, Baby Black’s stage persona and unique sounding voice bound to catch the attention of any Soukous, Raggamuffin, Reggae, R & B, Jazz and Hip Hop listeners anywhere in the world.

"Even though Modern African Music has now received recognition in the world music scene, I would like to see it go further, "says Baby Black who is one of out of many musicians born out of Congo Kinshasa where music is the main source of income for many young men. However, hardships in the industry including economic exploitation and lack of marketing strategies and promotional campaigns like those adopted in the US and Europe leaves many talented musicians in Congo discouraged. Slow technological advancement and politics have also contributed to the musicians’ plight and lack of mass sales and promotions. It was only until the late nineties that African Musicians started receiving fair distribution deals for their music.

Baby Black is also blessed with an eclectic stage presence and versatile performing ability. He not only carries a show in every performance, but leaves his audience breathless from his spectacular dancing and catchy tunes. Perhaps Baby’s Black’s most unique talent is his ability to team up with other band members and sing in different ranges when teamwork is required but also carry a show a lone without any backing and still stage an incredible performance. He is definitely an eclectic who brings soulful African qualities to whatever music he lays his hands on.

In his new album, "Tour de Babel", Baby Black collaborates with the legendary Soukous Star Band members like Lokassa Ya Mbongo, Ngouma Lokito, Shiko Mawatu as well as upcoming African singers based out of New York City like Miriam Chemmoss, Keisa, Xiomara and Mike Usungu will be released end of October 2005.

The renowned bassist Ngouma Lokito from Soukous Stars

collaborates with Baby N'Dombe on the new release

In this album, produced by iMak Entertainment, Inc. Baby Black‘s sings in Lingala, French, English and Swahili, incorporating different world beats styles similar to popular reggae and Rhythm and Blues sounds of today.