Biography

Jessy Matador: the sound of the year gets France dancing

On May 29, 2010, at the Grand Théâtre in Oslo, a French artist performed such vigorous choreography that journalists nicknamed him “the Matador of dance.” Jessy Kimbangi, known as Jessy Matador, recently represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest with Allez Ola Olé, a title that became the unofficial anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But before facing European audiences, this Parisian of Congolese origin had already forged a unique musical identity at the crossroads of styles.

In brief


Full name	Jessy Kimbangi
Stage name	Jessy Matador
Birth	October 27, 1983, Paris 13th arrondissement, France
Origin	Parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Field	Singer, dancer
Genres	zouk, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, ndombolo, coupé-décalé, kuduro
Notable works	Afrikan New Style, Allez Ola Olé, Décalé Gwada
Awards	12th place Eurovision 2010, gold record

Key dates

Year	Event
1983	Born in Paris to Congolese parents
2001	Started as a professional dancer with Cœurs Brisés
2005	Founded the group La Sélésao
2008	Afrikan New Style and summer hit Décalé Gwada
2010	France at Eurovision with Allez Ola Olé (12th place)
2013	Album Authentik
2016	Theatre debut in Driss Homet’s La Fuite
2019	Album El Commandante

From dance to new-style Afro sound

Jessy Kimbangi grew up in the Parisian suburbs, in Gennevilliers, Vanves, and Saint-Denis, rocked by the sounds of Congolese rumba. At sixteen, he became a professional dancer and joined Cœurs Brisés, Dany Engobo’s group, touring the United States, the DRC, the United Kingdom, and Canada. This stage experience forged his vocation. “I am a dancer and I had said to myself that I would love to release music to make myself known” — an ambition he realized in 2005 by founding the group La Sélésao with Benkoff, Dr. Love, and Linho. The collective became one of the pioneers of coupé-décalé — a style born in Côte d’Ivoire that blends dance, zouglou, and afropop — and signed with Wagram Music.

The first single, Décalé Gwada, exploded in June 2008 and became one of the most played tracks on radio that summer. The following album, Afrikan New Style, assembled urban sounds and traditional African music. Two years later, France Télévisions selected Jessy Matador to represent France in Oslo. The choice caused controversy in the press, but the artist remained firm: “I never doubted for a moment. I worked very hard to live through an event like this.” On May 29, 2010, Allez Ola Olé was performed on stage and became the summer hit of France Télévisions as well as the promotional anthem for the 2010 World Cup. France finished 12th with 82 points, one of the best French results of the 2000s. “Eurovision is for me the best memory and event of my career. It literally changed my life,” he would confess ten years later.

After the Eurovision success, Jessy kept up the momentum: Elektro Soukouss, features with Daddy Killa, King Kuduro, and DJ Mam’s, a tour with Mata Girlz. He released Authentik (2013), the best-of 100 % Show (2014), El Commandante (2019), and turned to theatre and comedy. “I live without pressure, I am not someone who focuses on numbers. Everything that comes now is a bonus”: the motto of an artist who remained true to himself.

Major works

Work	Year	Why it is essential
Afrikan New Style	2008	First album that forged his hybrid Afro-Caribbean style
Décalé Gwada	2008	Summer hit that launched him to the French public
Allez Ola Olé	2010	Eurovision and World Cup anthem, certified gold record
Elektro Soukouss	2010	Confirmation of new-style Afro sounds

Legacy and influence

Jessy Matador paved the way for a generation of Franco-African artists who no longer have to choose between their cultural identity and modern urban sounds. “Every musical exchange is important, you must step out of your comfort zone”: a motto that well summarizes an artist who remained true to himself, from coupé-décalé to covers and theatre.