Trouble seems to be brewing following the recent decision by the Congolese songstress, Faya Tess to cover the hit previously done by Mbilia Bel.
In her 15th compilation of cover version hits titled Au Temps des Classiques Pour Papa D,‘ Faya Tess has included the rendition of ‘Eswiyo Wapi,’ among the nine songs contained in the catalogue.
Eswiyo Wapi is song previously done by Mbilia Bel in 1983 and which managed to win various musical accolades when it was released in 1983.
‘Eswiyo Wapi,’ which translates into ‘Where did I hurt you?’ happens to be the biggest, among the hits that Mbilia Bel recorded with Tabuley and his Afrisa International troupe in the 80s.
And now Faya Tess has just covered the song.
Eswiyo Wapi is the first Mbilia Bel song redone by her alleged ‘rival.’
Heads will roll.
If not between the two divas, then certainly among their irate fans.
Apparently, many music lovers on the continent, have been regarding the two African divers to be steadfast rivals.
That is especially fans of the Afrisa International the Tabuley managed, band which produced both Mbilia Bel and Faya Tess.
At different times, Mbilia Bel and Faya Tess played the role of female lead singers in Afrisa International one of the continent’s big bands of the 70s, 80s and 90s, that were based in Zaire (DR Congo).
Tess replaced Mbilia in Afrisa during the late 80s and since then people have been trying to clash the two songbirds against each other socially and musically, but especially on social media platforms.’
However, both Faya and Mbilia have been staying clear from the confrontations that their fans have been trying to create for them.
The cover versions
Of late, Faya Tess, has been redoing many of the old Congolese hits of the past, including songs by the likes of Lwambo, Luanzo Makiadi (Franco) and his TP Ok Jazz, Nyboma Mwandido and Orchestra Lipua Lipua, Madilu System, as well as her mentor and former Boss, Tabuley Rochereau with Afrisa International.
While Faya Tess, whose real name is Theresia Kishila Ngoyi, has redone many of Tabuley’s Afrisa International songs, she has carefully been staying clear of the numbers that Mbilia Bel had recorded during her time in the band.
Among the fans of Afrisa International, Faya Tess who took over from Mbilia Bel as the female lead singer in Afrisa International, could have even been the reason why the latter left the band unceremoniously.
However, Mbilia Bel was the first to refute the allegations, arguing that she actually is the one who encouraged Tabuley the band leader and owner, to take aboard Faya Tess in 1986, two years before Bel departed after their show in Dar-es-salaam city of Tanzania.
Mbilia Bel joined Afrisa International in 1981 and went on to record fire hits, including the award winning, ‘Eswiyo Wapi,’ as well as popular songs like ‘Nake Nairobi,’ ‘Cadense Mudande,’ ‘Mano Mongba,’ ‘Sisi na Mandela,’ and ‘Mobali Na Ngai Wana!’
When Faya Tess joined the fold in 1986, they both featured in the best-selling album, ‘Nadina,’ comprising hits like the two versions of Nadina (Lingala and Swahili), Wendenda, Napika and Ngalaka (the latter Penned by Pompon Kuleta).
Mbilia left Afrisa in 1988 to pursue a solo career which started out with even more big hits like Manzil-Manzil, Phenomene, Mayaval, Tika-Bazuwa, Sans Frontiere and Cher Ami, featuring ace guitarist Rigo Star Bamundele.
Back in Afrisa, Faya Tess under Tabuley’s wand managed to hold the fort down well, with huge hits like Allo Paris, Moto Akokufa, Camarade, Tien Amen, Camarade ‘O’, Seli ‘MO’ and C’est la Verite.
Nowadays Tess simply records cover versions of yesterday hits, while Mbilia Bel, though not recording is still doing live music shows mostly featuring her old song during Afrisa Band and Genidia label days.