Jessy Matador

Jessy Matador

Jessy Matador in Oslo, 28 May 2010
Background information
Birth name Jessy Kimbangi
Born 27 October 1982
Origin Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genres Zouk, Dancehall, Reggae, Hip hop, Coupé-Décalé, Ndombolo, Kuduro
Occupation(s) Singer, Dance
Years active 2001–present
Labels Wagram Records
Associated acts La Sélésao, Magic System
Website selesao.skyrock.com

Jessy Kimbangi, better known by his stage name Jessy Matador, (born 27 October 1982) is a Congolese-French singer.

Biography

Born in Kinshasa in Zaire on 27 October 1982, Matador began his career as a dancer in 2001. He later joined the group "Les cœurs brisés" (The Broken Hearts) with whom he toured the United States, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada.

In 2005, he decided to create his own group called "La Sélésao" composed of members Dr.Love, Linho and Benkoff. The same members also formed the first edition of the group Magic System. In late 2007, they signed with Oyas Records before signing with Wagram Records in spring 2008.

They released their début single "Décalé Gwada" in June 2008, becoming one of the hits of that summer. On 24 November 2008 the group released the album Afrikan New Style, a musical hybrid of African and Caribbean influences with more urban sounds. The style includes influences of zouk, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, Coupé-Décalé, ndombolo and kuduro.

In December 2008, they released their second single "Mini Kawoulé".

Eurovision Song Contest 2010

On 19 February 2010, it was announced by France Télévisions that Matador would represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, to be held on 29 May 2010 in Oslo, Norway with the song "Allez Ola Olé".[1] Jessy Matador placed 12th in the final, which was one of France's better results in the 2000s.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
FRA
[2]
Afrikan New Style 93
Elektro Soukouss 42
Authentik 174

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
FRA
[2]
BEL
[3]
DEN
[4]
FIN
[5]
IRE
[6]
NOR
[7]
SWE
[8]
GER
[6]
UK
[9]
2008 "Décalé Gwada" 14 73 Afrikan New Style
2009 "Mini Kawoulé" 16
2010 "Allez Ola Olé" 1 4 30 7 39 5 34 17 81 Electro Soukouss
2011 "Dansez"
(feat. Daddy Killa)
86
"Galera"
(feat. King Kuduro & Bra Zil)
68 Non-album single
2014 "Zuluminati" 166
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

As featured artist

Year Title Peak
chart
positions
Album
FRA
[2]
2012 "Zumba He Zumba Ha (Remix 2012)"
(DJ Mam's featuring Jessy Matador & Luis Guisao
7 Non-album single

Other singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
FRA (Club)
[10]
2009 "Y'a qu'à demander" 15 Afrikan New Style
2010 "Bomba" Elektro Soukouss
2010 "Une affaire de chut"
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.
Notes

References

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Patricia Kaas
with Et s'il fallait le faire
France in the Eurovision Song Contest
2010
Succeeded by
Amaury Vassili
with Sognu