Fanga means 'Force' (spiritually speaking) in Dioula, one of the numerous dialects of Western Africa. This French group of 7 musicians, deeply immersed in Afrobeat - a musical language pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 70's, combining African music, jazz and funk - was born from an encounter between the hip-hop programmer Serge Amiano and the rapper Yves Khoury (aka Korbo) of Burkina Faso.
In its present form, Fanga is essentially based on classical Afrobeat. However, the absence of a brass section as well as the judicious integration of samples and electronic sources mark a departure from this traditional musical structure, thus bringing to it the sonic identity of a group rather than that of a collective. Korbo's vocals, verging between rap and spoken word also contribute a present-day slant, naturally synthesising the meeting point between Africa and rap.
An initial line-up with programmed drums and a few musicians sees the light of day in 2001, with a 6 track promotional CD entitled "Afrofanga"'. With the indispensable addition of a drummer, the group went on to bring out its first album 'Afrokaliptyik' in 2004. Although Fanga is not entirely about traditional Afrobeat, its foundations are the same: a single pulse, long improvisatory sections of sax and analog keyboards, a trance of hypnotic rhythms.
Its discourse fights for fundamental human rights, for the right to be different, denounces the inequality created by the quest for profit and embraces the re-integration of humanity and Earth. Following an inital album "Afrokaliptyk", a vinyl EP "Akli Yèlè" and numerous concerts and festivals , Fanga is now bringing out a 12"vinyl available on www.cosmicgroove.fr including 2 tracks from the new album "Natural Juice", out in June 2007 featuring Tony Allen, Segun Damisa, Kady Diarra and a remix with Mike Ladd. Fanga will be on the road in France and Europe throughout 2007.
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