Innoss’B
Innocent Balume in Gombe, Kinshasa
Innocent Balume in Gombe, Kinshasa
Background information
Birth nameInnocent Didace Balume
Also known asMtoto wa Congo
Born (1997-05-05) May 5, 1997
Goma, North Kivu Province, Zaire[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • singer
  • dancer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • percussionist
  • philanthropist
Instrument(s)Guitar, drums
Years active2007–present
LabelsIndependent

Innocent Didace Balume[2][3][4] (born May 5, 1997), known by his stage name Innoss'B, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, percussionist, dancer, and philanthropist. Innoss'B was born into a musical family in war-ravaged Goma, North Kivu Province. At just six years old, he made his music debut as a member of the family group Maisha Soul.[4][5] They gained prominence by winning the 2007 Revelation Award at the Goma Tourism Fair.[4][3] Innocent rose to stardom as a solo artist following his triumph in the Akon-sponsored 2010 Vodacom Superstar contest.[6][7][8] Akon later took him to the 2010 FIFA World Cup[9] and then to a co-headlining concert in Zimbabwe with Jamaican Dancehall rapper Sean Paul.[10][4] He subsequently recorded a song with Akon titled "Up and Away."[10][11][12] In January 2013, Innocent was invited by Ben Affleck to perform at the 70th Golden Globes Awards for Peace Gala for Humanity in honor of his Eastern Congo Initiatives.[4][13]

In February 2018, Innocent released his single "Ozo Beta Mabe," which catapulted him to stardom in Africa.[14][15] The music video garnered one million views on YouTube in just five months, establishing him as one of the most successful young Congolese and African artist.[16][15][17] His subsequent hit singles "Yo Pe," "Meme," "Archour," "Olandi," "Amina," and "Best," gained him international recognition and led him on a transcontinental tour.[18][19]

In 2020, Innocent became the first Congolese musician to have more than 100 million views on YouTube for his "Yo Pe" remix, featuring Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz.[20][21] The BBC has tipped him as one of the African stars with the potential for global success in 2020, praising his unique style that has him "dancing to the beat of his drum" and bringing "a modern and youthful sound to Congolese music."[22][4]

Biography

Early life

Innocent Didace Balume was born on May 5, 1997, in Goma, North Kivu Province, Zaire.[4][23][24] His father was a dancer and his mother was a cantor at church. He is the youngest of six children and had three brothers as musicians.[25][21] Innocent was raised in the Birere District of Goma, and spent much time at his paternal grandmother's home.[24] Throughout his childhood, he grew up listening to Michael Jackson.[3][4]

2002–2013: Maisha Soul and Vodacom Superstar

In 2002, the Nyiragongo volcanic eruption displaced approximately 300,000 people,[26] including Innocent and his brothers, who formed a music band in a refugee camp as a powerful medium for raising awareness.[23] The family ensemble comprised Prince Agakhan Balume, Eric Fonkodji Balume, Achille Djibril Balume, and Innocent Didace Balume.[27][28] They received training at Yolé!Africa, a youth cultural center founded by internationally acclaimed filmmaker and activist Petna Ndaliko Katondolo.[29] They collaborated with several artists including Pascal Lokua Kanza. Their single "Another Way," released in 2005, won the Revelation 2007 Award at the Goma Tourism Fair.[30][23][10][27] In 2009, Innocent took part in a provincial singing competition organized by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and secured third place among over 20 selected groups.[31]

Innoss'B performing in Goma, September 2015

In 2010, at just 13 years old, he clinched the Vodacom Superstar contest, co-hosted by Vodacom in partnership with Akon, Akonic Entertainment, and Nickie Davis.[10] He achieved the feat with a performance of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel."[4] His victory earned him $25,000 and copiously donated a portion of his prize money to his former school in Goma.[4][6] The win provided a platform to launch his music career and collaborated with Akon on the song "Up and Away".[11][12] While still in Maisha Soul, he released his debut single, "I Can Be Your Blue-Eyed Boy," in March 2012, which expeditiously became an instant hit and peaked at number one on the Africa Hit chart on Trace TV.[32] He later participated in Lexxus Legal's Lexxus album on the track "Dors Pas Tard."[33] In December 2012, he relocated to Washington, accompanied by Maisha Soul and his manager Lady Nadia, where they appeared on various TV shows and radio stations, including Bakolo States owned by Gary Iwele and Voice of America.[34]

In January 2013, they journeyed to Los Angeles, where Innocent and Maisha Soul attended the Cinema for Peace Humanitarian Awards, honoring Ben Affleck and his foundation, Eastern Congo Initiatives, at the Beverly Hills Hotel during the 70th Golden Globe Awards.[20][3][10] The band conveyed the plight of the Kivu conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo through their performances while showcasing their talents and representing their country.[34][10][35][3] On January 28, he and Maisha Soul returned to the DRC and officially announced their "Keep Smiling" mixtape from the US. The mixtape was sung in Swahili and was later released on January 29.[31][36] On February 10, 2013, he released his single "Neti na uh"[37] and subsequently toured the US along with Maisha Soul and performed in Atlanta in front of Martin Luther King III on February 16,[38] and met Ludacris on February 15.[3] On July 10, 2013, he officially announced to Radio Okapi his countrywide tour of major cities, culminating in performances at the Amani Festival concerts in Goma, promoting the culture of peace as part of the countrywide tour.[39] He later represented his country at the Global Philanthropy Forum in San Francisco and was honored with the Special Jury Trophy at the prestigious Ndule Pan-African Awards in Kinshasa.[10][3]

2013–2016: Innocent Vol.1, "Eloko", management woes, and tours

In early 2013, Innocent announced his debut solo studio album, Innocent Vol.1, during an interview on Radio Kivu1. The album contained eight singles, including his previous hit "Up and Away" and was released on July 17 of that year.[40][41] The album was sung in Lingala as a stratagem to expand his fandom in Kinshasa. However, the move was met with criticism, seen as an alacrity shift to his previous eastern Congo Swahili repertoire.[42]

In 2014, Innocent collaborated with Werrason on his hit "Eloko," and the music video was filmed in Kinshasa with comedian Fiston Sai Sai.[43] On May 5, 2014, Innocent was invited by Master Peace Foundation to Holland's Liberation Day for two consecutive concerts, where he shared the stage with Dutch singer Roel Van Velzen at Park de Wezenlanden in Zwolle.[43][44]

In October 2014, he parted ways with Lady Nadia's management, citing their incompetence and unprofessionalism. Innocent revealed that during her three-year managerial incumbency, they only produced one music video, "I Can Be Your Blue Eyed Boy," which was only possible through external support and not Lady Nadia's stewardship.[45]

On September 21, 2014, he participated in the Peace Day celebration at Ziggo Dome in North Holland.[43][44] In November 2014, during a performance in Equatorial Guinea as a guest of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, a road accident occurred in Mongomo. Innocent and his entourage survived with only minor injuries. He reassured his fans on Facebook and expressed his gratitude for their concern and well-being.[46]

In 2016, he was featured in the track "First Lady" alongside X-Maleya, the Cameroonian makossa group.[43] In October of that year, he took the stage at the Amani Festival in front of thirty thousand people in Goma.[43] He also performed in Kigali in 2017, as part of Peace One Day, an initiative led by British actor Jeremy Gilley.

Breakthrough

His breakthrough came in 2018 with the release of his hit single "Ozo Beta Mabe," a fusion of Afro-pop and Congolese rumba, in February 2018 and 'Yo Pe Remix' in September 2019, which features renowned Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz. The song's catchy beats and danceable rhythm made it an instant hit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across Africa and Europe, particularly in France and Belgium. The music video amassed millions of views on YouTube, propelling the album to international stardom. He was nominated for Best New International Artist at the BET Awards in 2020.[10][4][42]

Balume continued to release a series of successful singles, including 'Olandi' in July 2020, 'Best' in October 2020 and 'Meme' in March 2021.[10][47]

2021: Mortel-06

On December 9, 2021, Innocent announced that his forthcoming second studio album, Mortel-06, was almost finished. Mortel-06 contained 15 tracks and was released on December 26, 2021. It debuted in the top 5 online music stores and did not include any collaborative features.[48][49] The album stands out for its diverse range of musical styles. Innocent diversified his repertoire, embracing Congolese rumba in "A dieu," rap in "Naomi Campbell," and Afro-trap in "Boutchou," among other compelling selections.[48]

Collaborations

Year Title Album
2010 "Up and Away" (featuring Akon) Non-album single
2013 Navio "She likes me" (featuring Innoss'B)
Navio "One and Only" (featuring Innoss'B)
2010 "Merci maman" (featuring Fally Ipupa)
2019 "Yo Pe" Remix (featuring Diamond Platnumz)

Discography

Year Title Album
2013 "follow me" Innocent Vol.1[50]
"Lost"
"EhYo Innossb"
"I Like You"
"Big Africa"
"Abibi"
"Ola"
"No Bodyguard"
"Free"
"Pick Up My Phone Calls"
"Yoka Ngai"
"Real Party"
"Crazy"
"Neti Na Uh"
"Turn On the Radio"
"Bounce Like a Ball"
2013 "Big Africa" Non-album single
"Ce C'est Bon"
2015 "Pola"
"Cha Cha"
"Eloko (featuring Werrason)
2016 Elengi (featuring Koffi Olomide)
"Pepele"
"Together as One"
"I Can Be Your Blue Eyed Boy"
"Eh Yo Innoss'B"
2017 "Logik" Plus[51]
"Top Model"
"Ozo Beta Mabe"
"Lelo Lelo"
"Mur"
"Mon Boulot"
2019 "Achour"
"Dernière Chance" Non-album single
"Yo Pe"
2020 "Best (feat Damso)"
2021 "Adieu"

"Boutchou"

"Bb De Bb"

"Sukali"

"Naomi Campbell"

"African girl"

"Do Ré Mi"

"Kweli"

"Toc Toc"

"Eh Dieu"

"Réponds Moi"

"Minama"

"Mortel-06"

"Cherchons l'Argent"

"A 2"

 Mortel-06[52]

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 Innoss'B Revelation 2007 Awards Nominated
2010 Innoss'B Vodacom SuperStar Awards
 {{{2}}} 
 
2011 Innoss'B Ndule Awards as Special Jury trophy Nominated
2020 Innoss'B BET Awards 2020 Best International Act[53] Nominated

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Innoss'B.
  1. ↑ "Afropop Worldwide | Afropop Guide to Goma, Congo DRC". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  2. ↑ Ndaliko, Chérie Rivers (2016). Necessary Noise: Music, Film, and Charitable Imperialism in the East of Congo. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. p. 50. ISBN 9780190499587.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Momanyi, Harun (March 10, 2014). "One on One with talented Innoss'B, Akon's mentee and teenage prodigy from DRC". Harun Momanyi. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Odidi, Bill (September 19, 2020). "Innoss'B Gives Congo Music New Rhythm". Businessdailyafrica.com. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ "L'artiste musicien, Innoss B offre un toit aux sinistrés de Goma | mediacongo.net" [The musician artist, Innoss B offers a roof to the victims of Goma]. www.mediacongo.net. August 21, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Musique La «Star Ac» congolaise: Innocent Balume, Super Star de Vodacom" [Music The Congolese “Star Ac”: Innocent Balume, Super Star of Vodacom]. Le Soir (in French). June 29, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ Zaidi, Zanem Nety (May 31, 2019). "#CongoEntrepreneur : de la musique à l'entrepreneuriat bio, Innocent Balume lance "Innovie"". Habari RDC (in French). Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ "L'enfant de Goma à la conquête du monde" [The child from Goma conquers the world]. BBC News Afrique (in French). November 22, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Innoss'B accuse Fally Ipupa d'être derrière l'échec de son projet avec Akon" [Innoss'B accuses Fally Ipupa of being behind the failure of its project with Akon]. Mbote (in French). August 9, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Innoss'B of Vodacom Superstar Continues to Dominate the Music Industry | ABNewswire". October 12, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Up and Away (Ft Akon) by Innoss'B". Afrocharts. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "Enfin la chanson "Up and Away" de Innoss'B feat Akon a été dévoilée au grand public !" [Finally the song "Up and Away" by Innoss'B feat Akon was revealed to the general public!]. Talents2kin.com (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. May 23, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  13. ↑ "«Mon Boulot»: quand Innoss'B exalte la valeur du travail". Music In Africa (in French). October 4, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Découvrez "Ozo Beta Mabe" de Innoss'B". Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 1, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "BBC World Service - This Is Africa, Innoss B". BBC. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Innoss'B: «Ozo Beta Mabe» attend le million de vues sur YouTube!". Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. July 27, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Actualité | L'artiste musicien, Innoss B offre un toit aux sinistrés de Goma | mediacongo.net". www.mediacongo.net. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Zoom sur la tournée Européenne du Jeune Leader Innoss'b: Que devra t-on retenir?" [Focus on the European tour of the Young Leader Innoss'b: What should we remember?]. www.243stars.com (in French). January 25, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Innoss'B à Bruxelles avec Carine Mokonzi". DiaspoRDC (in French). February 11, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Kupa, Gede Luiz (July 15, 2020). "Musique: Innoss'B, premier musicien Congolais évoluant en RDC à faire 100 millions de vues sur YouTube avec "Yo Pe" (remix)" [Music: Innoss'B, first Congolese musician playing in the DRC to have 100 million views on YouTube with "Yo Pe" (remix)]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Balance ton tube: "Yopé Remix", un tube congolais signé Innoss'B". rts.ch (in French). July 28, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  22. ↑ Edu, DJ (December 7, 2019). "Five African music stars to look out for". Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 "Maisha Soul". ACT for Congo. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  24. 1 2 Ahebla, Ata Ahli (November 22, 2020). "L'enfant de Goma à la conquête du monde". BBC News Afrique (in French). Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Innocent Balume brise le silence: en interview sur ndombolozone.com" [Innocent Balume breaks the silence: in interview on ndombolozone.com]. talents2kin.com (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Democratic Republic of the Congo - Volcano Fact Sheet #13, Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 - Democratic Republic of the Congo | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. August 15, 2002. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  27. 1 2 ""Maisha Soul" cherche un producteur". Radio Okapi (in French). January 6, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  28. ↑ ""La vie est là parce que nous sommes là"". Radio Okapi (in French). January 15, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  29. ↑ "La scène musicale congolaise émerge". Agence Ecofin (in French). March 31, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Goma: Amani Festival" (PDF). Amanifestival.com. Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 2014. p. 6. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Maisha Soul revient avec une mixtape intitulée "Keep Smiling"" [Maisha Soul returns with a mixtape titled "Keep Smiling"]. Talents2Kin (in French). January 28, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Innoss'B annonce l'album pour 2012…." [Innoss?B announces the album for 2012…..]. Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. March 21, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Innoss'B: Biographie". Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. March 8, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Innoss'b et Maisha Soul Invite au "Cinema for Peace" a Los Angeles" [Innoss'B and Maisha Soul Guests at “Cinema for Peace” in Los Angeles]. Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  35. ↑ Mpiutu, Miguel Jegou (November 4, 2020). "Innoss'B: "Il ya un visuel de moi et T.I sur lequel je regardais à côté, c'est lui qui m'avait demandé en photo"". Mbote (in French). Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  36. ↑ "MAISHA SOUL". SoundCloud. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Pendant ce temps, Kinshasa bat déjà un record avec sa sortie" [Meanwhile, Kinshasa is already breaking a record with its release]. Talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 10, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Innoss'B et Maisha Soul se produiront ce samedi 16 février 2013 à Atlanta aux USA" [Innoss'B And Maisha Soul Will Perform This Saturday, February 16, 2013 in Atlanta In the USA]. talents2Kin (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 16, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  39. ↑ "RDC: le chanteur Innocent Balume entame une tournée nationale à partir du 15 juillet". Radio Okapi (in French). July 10, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Innocent Vol.1 by Innoss'B". Genius. Brooklyn, New York City, New York State, United States. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Biographie Innoss'B" [Innoss'B biography]. MusicMe (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  42. 1 2 Badibanga, Walter (July 30, 2018). "Innoss'B : sa carrière décolle". Music In Africa (in French). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 In-House DRC (October 3, 2016). "Innoss'B propose un single avec Koffi Olomidé". Music In Africa. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  44. 1 2 "Innoss B Concert History". concertarchives.org. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Innoss'B, pourquoi J'ai vire Nadia Pay Pay..." [Innoss'B, why did I fire Nadia Pay Pay...]. Talents2Kin (in French). October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  46. ↑ Knight, Dark (November 18, 2014). "Urgent: Innocent Balume a frôlé la mort! | Univers Radio Site" [Urgent: Innocent Balume came close to death!]. universfm.org (in French). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  47. ↑ Kupa, Gede Luiz (July 28, 2020). "RDC-Musique : Innoss'B sort officiellement son nouveau single intitulé "Olandi" ce mardi" [DRC-Music: Innoss'B officially releases its new single entitled "Olandi" this Tuesday]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  48. 1 2 Bendi, Rodrick (December 26, 2021). "Innos'B sort son nouvel album "Mortel-06"". Lemag (in French). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  49. ↑ Mansangu, Raphael (February 2, 2022). "Mortel-06: sans dévoiler le titre, Innoss'B sort un nouveau clip ce 02 février". Ouragan.cd (in French). Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  50. ↑ "INNOCENT est enfin sorti (Premier album de Innoss'B ): c'est l' ?v?nement de la semaine !". Portail de la culture urbaine congolaise & Africaine (in French). July 2, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  51. ↑ Plus (in French), fr.napster.com, retrieved September 8, 2019
  52. ↑ Mortel-06 by Innoss'B, December 26, 2021, retrieved August 27, 2023
  53. ↑ TV, Guide (June 15, 2020). "2020 BET Awards: How to Watch, Host, Nominations, and More Details | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
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