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BM (singer)

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BM
Birth nameBolia Matundu
Also known asBM The Artist, BM Congolais, BM Artist
Born (1992-07-12) 12 July 1992 (age 32)
Kinshasa, Zaire
GenresNdombolo
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • composer
  • media personality
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitars, percussion
Years active2010—present
Formerly ofDRT
Spouse
  • Arlette Amuli
    ​
    (m. 2022)​

Bolia Matundu (born 12 July 1992), also known by the initialism BM, is a Congolese-born, British singer-songwriter, dancer, director and record producer. Born in Kinshasa and raised in London, Matundu is considered one of the influential figures in 21st-century ndombolo music.[1][2][3][4]

Matundu rose to prominence with his 2015 hit single "Ebebi" from his eponymous debut studio album, which gained international acclaim and amassed significant viewership on YouTube.[5][6][7] His subsequent hit single "Rosalina" (2018), along with its remix featuring Awilo Longomba released that same year, enjoyed continent-wide success, giving rise to the viral "Rosalina dance challenge" trend that rapidly proliferated across social media platforms and was embraced by various celebrities.[1][3][8]

Early years

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Bolia Matundu was born on 12 July 1992 in Kinshasa, in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and later moved to England at the age of seven.[1][7] At 14, while being an active member of his father's choir, BM developed a fervent passion for music, taking inspiration from Werrason, Koffi Olomidé, and Papa Wemba.[1][5][9] During his teenage years, he co-founded the group DRT, gaining national recognition in the UK for their electro-rap single, "Get Mad Now," released on 17 September 2010, and featured in a Specsavers advertisement.[5] In 2012, BM earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Technology with Upper Second Class (2:1) honors.[7][6][5]

Career

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2015–2017: "Lelo Eko Yinda" and Ebebi

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BM later found his footing as a solo artist in the midsummer of 2012, incorporating bright Afro-pop tones in his early single "Lelo Eko Yinda" .[5][7] The record, featuring Nigerian singer Sona, earned him the Best Song at the Congolese Achievement Awards in 2013.[7]

On 24 February 2015, BM released his debut solo album, Ebebi, which consisted of 15 tracks.[10] It included guest appearances by Dymunds, Will Son, DJ Leo, Champion, Freezah Sterling, and Yemo.[7][6] The album's eponymous ndombolo-inspired lead single gained traction across Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with internet personalities actively emulating its dance routines and encouraging others to take part.[7][6] Filmed in London and directed by Sam Kirk, the music video featured appearances from internationally-based dancers like Sheryl Isako, Ceecee, Gugu, Junior Drogba, renowned Detroit model SupaWoman, Valentine Artiste, Mad Dog, and Freezah.[7][6] Meanwhile, "Makolongulu" played a pivotal role in expanding BM's audience and establishing his presence in the Afro-pop scene.[1][3] Initially released as a standalone track, "Makolongulu" was later featured on the album.[11][10]

2018–2019: from "Makolongulu" remix to "Rosalina"

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On 7 February 2018, BM premiered a remix of "Makolongulu," featuring Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo. The music video, directed by Martin Beta and videoed on the streets of Kampala, included a guest performance by the Ugandan Hyper Dancers troupe.[12] The remix was a massive hit in Uganda and Kenya and significantly catapulted BM's visibility in East African music scene.[12]

On 24 June, BM debuted the single "Rosalina," which signifies 'break your back'.[13][8] The song gained a substantial following in Europe, particularly in the UK, France, Belgium, as well as across the Americas. The hashtag #Rosalinadancechallenge disseminated virally across various social media platforms and was featured in BBC What's New. Notable personalities, such as the Congolese-British comedian Eddie Kadi, took part in the dance challenge. The dance choreography incorporated exhilarating Lingala motions, impeccably synchronized with the pulsating Congolese rhythms, encapsulating the precise articulation of the entire corporeal form, from limbs to waist.[8][13][14][15][2]

On 13 December, BM guest-performed on Assi So-La's single "Gwara Nao Para", which became BM's most-streamed track on Spotify, amassing over 6,822,493 streams.[16][17]

On 25 December 2018, BM issued the remix of "Rosalina," with Awilo Longomba as a featured artist. Sung in a blend of Lingala, French, and English, the remix garnered broad acclaim and set off a chain of dance challenge videos, similar to the original.[3][18] The remix made the "Top 10 hits that made people dance in 2018" list by Music in Africa.[18] The song's popularity allowed BM to embark on an international tour, with performances in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and France.[13][15][5]

2020–2023: Standalone releases

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BM's audience grew significantly over the years with songs like the "Kanda," featuring Celeo Scram (2020) and "Ye Le" (2021).[5] The latter, in particular, achieved viral acclaim a few months after its release with the trending #Yelechallenge featuring performances from all parts of the world.[19]

Discography

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Album

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  • 2016: Ebebi

Singles

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  • 2016: MISTEK ft. BM — Na Na Na
  • 2017: Koka-Kola
  • 2017: Whine It Slow remix ft. Sona
  • 2017: Shake That Body ft. Rarity Music
  • 2017: No Congo No Phone
  • 2018: Pa Salieu ft. BM — Never Had
  • 2018: Makolongulu remix ft. Eddy Kenzo
  • 2018: Assi ft. BM — Gwara Nao Para
  • 2018: Rosalina (Break Your Back)
  • 2018: Rosalina remix ft. Runtown
  • 2018: Rosalina remix ft. Awilo Longomba
  • 2019: Bako Mona ft. Mistos Capitano
  • 2019: Koloko ft. NESTREYA
  • 2019: Bi Landa Landa ft. Robinio Mundibu
  • 2020: Lazola Coach ft. BM — No Lazola No Gain
  • 2020: How Low (Anita)
  • 2020: Kanda ft. Celeo Scram
  • 2021: Akay ft. BM — Flexing
  • 2021: Ye Le
  • 2021: Mabe
  • 2021: Bina Bina ft. Campmasters
  • 2022: Jaloux ft. Alfred Solo
  • 2023: Nyla

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Mandina, Hervé (3 January 2019). "Afro-club le hit des platines, avec Ng Bling et Buravan" [Afro-club the turntable hit, with Ng Bling and Buravan]. RFI Musique (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b "BM". Music In Africa. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  3. ^ a b c d "BM s'offre les services de Awilo Longomba pour finir le Rosalina Challenge" [BM offers the services of Awilo Longomba to finish the Rosalina Challenge]. Djolo.net (in French). 29 December 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  4. ^ Billie Jean, Nikki (14 January 2017). "Dance: Learn How to Dance Ndombolo by CeeCee CoCo & Aurelie (Congolese Makolongulu Dance Tutorial)". Allthingsankara.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Monger, Timothy. "B.M. Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Jamaica Star: BM releases 'Ebebi' video". Old.jamaica-star.com. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "UK Based Afrobeat Star BM Blazing the Airwaves with "Ebebi" Single and Dance Craze". Dancehall Reggae World. 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "BM Feat Awilo Longamba- Rosalina (Remix)". Getmziki.com/bm-feat-awilo-longamba-rosalina-remix/. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  9. ^ "BM". LPR. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  10. ^ a b Ebebi the Album by B.M., 2016-10-20, retrieved 2023-09-15
  11. ^ "Key, tempo & popularity of Makolongulu By BM". Musicstax.com. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b Felix, The Ninja (10 February 2018). "Makolongulu (remix) - BM ft. Eddy Kenzo". Notjustok.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Tabalia, Jedidah (12 November 2019). "South African dance moves that have made it internationally". Briefly. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  14. ^ BM shows us how to do Rosalina Challenge - BBC What's New?, 15 October 2018, retrieved 15 September 2023
  15. ^ a b Gachanja, Nelly (13 January 2019). "Top 10 African Dance Styles of 2018 - Africa.com". Www.africa.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  16. ^ Gwara Nao Para, 13 December 2018, retrieved 26 June 2024
  17. ^ "Musicstax: Key, tempo & popularity of Gwara Nao Para By ASSI, BM". Musicstax.com. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b Badibanga, Walter (26 October 2018). "RDC – Top 10 des tubes qui ont fait danser en 2018" [DRC – Top 10 hits that made people dance in 2018]. Music In Africa (in French). Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  19. ^ "18 Hit Songs From 2021 You Should Know". Lecongolaismag.com. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
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