DR Congo election: Why one star refuses to release election songs

In this nation of music-lovers, politicians have often formed symbiotic relationships with singers - but not everyone is happy to play the game.

In his newest release, Koffi Olomide, one of Africa's most celebrated musicians, sings the praises of incumbent president (and election hopeful) Felix Tshisekedi.

"Fatshi, Fatshi Béton!" Olomide sings, chanting the president's nickname over and over. "We have seen your love for the youth, the people and Congo."

On 5 December, industry veteran Werrason also endorsed Mr Tshisekedi. In his music video, clips of Werrason alternate with footage of the president: waving to adoring crowds, holding a hospitalised baby, addressing packed-out rallies.

"What he's done, we've seen and the people don't want to go back," Werrason sings.

On the other hand, rising star Infrapa urges his hundreds of thousands of Facebook followers to vote for wealthy businessman - and one of Mr Tshisekedi's biggest challengers - Moise Katumbi at Wednesday's polls.

Photos of Infrapa in T-shirts printed with the number three - Mr Katumbi's candidate number - fill the screen as the musician croons: "We are tired of suffering and hunger. Choose Moise Katumbi."

DR Congo - a nation wounded by decades of conflict, corruption and poor governance - has a long history of musicians endorsing politicians in their songs.

Numerous icons have admitted accepting money to mention influential people and corporations - a practice known locally as libanga.

Just last year, "prince of Congolese rumba" Fally Ipupa told Kenya's Trace FM he can make around €10,000 (£8,600; £11,000) per mention, while late legend Papa Wemba said he practised libanga amid a "sick", unprofitable Congolese industry.

Papa Wemba's bleak assessment of the music scene is echoed by his peer, Blaise Bula. He tells the BBC: "It is not easy to earn money because the Congolese music industry is not yet very developed, particularly on the issue of copyright."

Although many Congolese stars have a huge following across the continent and in the large diaspora, rampant piracy and a badly organised touring circuit mean that even popular artists can struggle to make a living.

Bula, a former member of the pioneering Wenge Musica band, released his own pro-Tshisekedi track, Fatshi No. 20, three weeks ago.

He insists he was not paid to make it, but adds: "Because the industry is not well developed, [musicians] must make a living from our profession and as a trader - from the sale of our services."

In Fatshi No. 20, Bula tells Tshisekedi: "One eye can see, but with a second eye, humans see even better. That is why we give you a second term in office so that you can bring life to your vision for DR Congo."

Bula tells the BBC he chose to promote Tshisekedi because of the president's achievements over the last five years, such as introducing universal free primary education and free healthcare for women giving birth in public hospitals.

"Much remains to be done," Bula acknowledges - and Tshisekedi's critics would agree.

Heavy fighting between the army and various militia groups has worsened in the east, despite the government imposing a state of siege across part of the region almost a year ago.

According to the UN, the conflict has forced around 6.9 million people from their homes since March 2022 - the highest number of internally displaced people in the world.

Insecurity is just one issue. Congolese have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine. Two-thirds of the population currently live below the poverty line, earning $2.15 (£1.68) or less per day.

Despite these problems, Mr Tshisekedi has more endorsements from musicians than the other presidential candidates. Some of his supporters even snipe at rival Mr Katumbi.

In his pro-Tshisekedi song, Bula says: "The son of the motherland is the one we will vote for. Beton [is Congolese] through his father and mother."

Likewise, Werrason sings that the president's "father and mother are Congolese".

It's the umpteenth time Mr Katumbi's nationality has come under attack - opponents claim he is not a Congolese national because although he was born to a Congolese mother, his father was Greek.

Despite jabs about his heritage, Mr Katumbi has been endorsed by musicians like Infrapa and Kennedy Tamaris, whose song has been viewed 81,000 times on YouTube.

Another major challenger, Martin Fayulu, appears to have few - if any - musical endorsements, while it seems Nobel Peace Prize winner-turned-candidate Denis Mukwege has only been promoted by singer and influencer Boketshu Wayambo.

That Mr Tshisekedi has the most election songs could indicate that he spent the most on commissioning music.

Or, Congolese sociologist Léon Tsambu tells the BBC, artists may be keen to sing about the president for free as they perceive him as being wealthier than other candidates - wealth the artists may benefit from if he is pleased with the song.

So do music fans mind artists glorifying politicians in their tracks? Are musicians ever accused of "selling out"?

Not in most cases, Mr Tsambu tells the BBC.

"This game has been played for a long time by hook or by crook under [previous presidents] Mobutu and Joseph Kabila, especially at election time," says Mr Tsambu, who specialises in popular music at the University of Kinshasa, adding that political libanga hit its peak during Mr Kabila's 2001-2019 premiership.

-bbc