Phillip Kakaza Live in Johannesburg
Difficulties with the political situation at home in Kinshasa, Zaire, prompted them to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Their first stop was Cameroon, second Kenya and then Namibia. They later settled in South Africa where, on arrival, they were faced with humiliation.
But The Fantastique Guys, a 12-piece band, never looked back because they shared a common dream – to escape their environment and to become music stars. But instead of prompting emotional breakdown, the toll of insults levelled against them six years back infused this male-dominated group with artistic creativity.
“Walking down the streets of Hillbrow six years back wasn’t cool at all,” says Nseka Ika (lead guitar) in a deep French accent. “People hurled insults at us – they called us all sorts of names, like makwerekwere, but we did not care because we looked up to better things – music.”
Having played with different local groups, they’ve learnt to impress other musicians and audiences from all walks of life. And, irrespective of how they might have been perceived before, these days, in their dark suits,with platform shoes and funky multi-coloured hair, they pull a stare whenever they walk the streets of Johannesburg.
“Sometimes you just have to forget what people say about you. As an artist I’ve always known that music is one thing that unites us. We might have our own problems in Africa but we share the same musical values.”
After two years of playing different gig venues around Johannesburg and in Mmabatho, they recruited two local female vocalists, Marie Louise Giga and Margarita Gida. They later got signed as a resident act at La Frontire in Hillbrow. It is there that they managed to pull a crowd and sustain a regular audience. The Fantastique Guys also made themselves a name through other projects. Konzo Alino (the drummer) is, for example, also featured in the new Lucky Star television advertisement.
Currently, through the help of Leon Muller at Mega Music, the group is busy recording two albums, one in Portuguese and Lingala, a native language, and the other in French.
They describe their albums as “funky Afro-fusion that will hit the South African music scene. We also play South African traditional music with a blend of kwaito to make our music appealing to every youngster,” says Ike.
However, their sounds are dominated by a fusion of styles including kwasa- kwasa and zouk. They are an ultimate party band. Their styles, harmonies and rhythm combined with an outrageous dress sense always bring the house down.
The Fantastique Guys will be at Jozi Vibes on Wednesday 29 at 206, Louise Botha Avenue, Orange Groove, with The Survivors