Arsenal de Belles Melodies

Arsenal de Belles Mélodies
Studio album by Fally Ipupa
Released	25 June 2009 (France)
Recorded	2007–2009
Studio	Studio Ndiaye (Kinshasa) and Studio Grande Armée (Paris)
Genre	Congolese rumba ndombolo hip-hop R&B
Label	Obouo Music and Because Music
Producer	David Monsoh, Fally Ipupa, and Maïka Munan
Fally Ipupa chronology
Droit Chemin (2006) Arsenal de Belles Mélodies (2009) Power "Kosa Leka" (2013)

"Arsenal de Belles Mélodies" (French for "arsenal of beautiful melodies", abbreviated as ADBM or Arsenal 2BM) is the second solo studio album by Congolese singer-songwriter Fally Ipupa,^[1][2][3][4] released on 25 June 2009 through Obouo Productions and Because Music.^[1] Produced by David Monsoh, the 16-track album blends Congolese rumba and ndombolo with hip-hop and contemporary R&B, and features guest appearances by American R&B singer Olivia Longott on "Chaise Électrique" and Guadeloupean reggae-dancehall artist Krys on "Sexy Dance".^[1][5][6] The album was developed over three years following the success of Ipupa's debut Droit Chemin (2006) and was supported by an extensive promotional campaign that included performances across Africa, Europe, and the United States.^[4][7][8][9]

Commercially successful, Arsenal de Belles Mélodies sold 40,000 copies within its first week,^[1] achieved gold certification in less than a month, and went on to sell nearly 500,000 copies in France.^[10] It topped the Congolese music charts,^[11] reached number eight on RFI Musique's 2009 "Top World Music Albums" list,^[12][13] and remained in the iTunes Top 100 World Music Albums chart more than a decade after its release.^[14] The album received critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of genres, with particular praise for "Chaise Électrique", which was seen as a breakthrough in expanding Congolese popular music's global reach.^[5][6]

Preparations for Arsenal de Belles Mélodies began as early as April 2008, when Cameroon Tribune reported that Fally Ipupa was working on his second solo studio album during a planned tour in Cameroon.^[3] By March 2009, Radio Okapi noted that Ipupa had returned from an extensive tour across Europe, the United States, and Africa, and announced plans to perform at the Zénith in Paris following the album's release, which was to be handled by a major European distributor.^[2] On 12 June 2009, during his appearance at the inaugural edition of La Nuit des Icônes ("The Night of Icons") at the Saint John's Plaza in Douala, Cameroon, Ipupa previewed an exceptional piece from the album to an enthusiastic audience.^[15]

Speaking to Cameroon Tribune, he revealed that the project had been three years in the making and was envisioned as a double album comprising 16 tracks "full of beautiful melodies", with a worldwide release initially slated for 22 June 2009.^[4] Ipupa described the work as a continuation of his musical style established in his debut solo studio album Droit Chemin, remarking, "The Fallynization continues".^[4] Although the original concept included 20 tracks and four collaborations, the final version retained 16 songs, including two guest appearances: American R&B singer Olivia on "Chaise Électrique" and Guadeloupean reggae-dancehall artist Krys on "Sexy Dance".^[4][16] The collaboration with Krys had initially been intended for the latter's album Step Out, but label arrangements led to its inclusion on both projects.^[4] Ipupa described his meeting with Olivia as a "natural" encounter during a tour, noting that the two connected immediately and that their managers encouraged a collaboration.^[4] He characterized the partnership as a "cultural exchange" designed to promote African music to U.S. audiences while introducing Olivia's artistry to African audiences.^[4]

Ipupa's 2009 logo was a key visual element on the covers of both Arsenal de Belles Mélodies and Power "Kosa Leka".

The release of Arsenal de Belles Mélodies was later postponed, with the Congolese daily La Prospérité reporting on 18 June that the launch had been deferred to late July.^[17] The album eventually saw its official release on 25 June 2009 under Obouo Productions, with worldwide distribution by Because Music and local distribution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Vision Music.^[1] Ipupa worked closely with arranger Maïka Munan, who contributed compositions and oversaw arrangements, while production duties were shared between them.^[1] Several tracks drew attention for lyrics that some perceived as suggestive or explicit; however, the National Commission for the Censorship of Songs and Entertainment (Commission nationale de censure des chansons et des spectacles; CNCCS) cleared the work for release after reviewing its songs and accompanying music videos.^[1] The lead single, "Bicarbonate", was issued in two formats: a locally tailored version and a shorter, dedication-free remix adapted for international television.^[18] Ipupa explained that, while Congolese rumba compositions typically extend beyond seven minutes, such adaptations were necessary to meet Western broadcasting standards.^[18]

To promote Arsenal de Belles Mélodies, Ipupa embarked on a series of performances and public appearances. On 11 August 2009, he appeared at the 40th edition of the Kinshasa International Fair (Foire Internationale de Kinshasa, FIKIN), one of the capital's largest annual cultural and commercial events.^[19][20] In October 2009, promotional activities were overshadowed by a sponsorship dispute between Ipupa and Bracongo, the producer of Skol beer, with whom he had an endorsement contract.^[7] The conflict arose during a VIP performance at the "Sai-Sai" venue in Ngaliema's Binza–U.P.N. quartier (quarter), where the interior was decorated with promotional material for Heineken, a product of Bralima, Bracongo's direct competitor.^[7] To honor his contractual obligations, Ipupa requested that the Heineken branding be covered before he performed. Although the venue's management complied, a Bracongo representative later confronted him publicly, accusing him of breaching the sponsorship agreement.^[7] The confrontation, described as disrespectful, prompted one of Ipupa's bodyguards to remove the representative from the premises.^[7] Dissatisfied with the handling of the matter, Ipupa demanded a formal apology and substantial financial compensation, warning that he would otherwise terminate the partnership. Reports suggested that he began exploring a potential sponsorship deal with Bralima and had sought legal advice on the dispute.^[7]

Despite the controversy, Ipupa's promotional schedule continued, and in November 2009, he was a headline performer at the inaugural Festival International 100 % Rumba in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, held on 6–7 November to celebrate Congolese rumba.^[21] A major promotional milestone was Ipupa's concert at the Zénith in Paris on 2 January 2010, which marked his debut as a solo artist at the venue alongside his backing band F'Victeam.^[22][23][8] Initially scheduled for 2 September 2009,^[24] the performance included several tracks from Arsenal de Belles Mélodies, such as "Travelling Love", "Une Minute", "Nyokalessé", "Chaise Électrique", "Sexy Dance", and "Cadenas".^[8] He was joined on stage by Olivia, Malian-French rapper Mokobé, and Krys.^[8] Additional promotional appearances included performances in Germany and at the Accor Arena in Paris in July 2010.^[9]

Arsenal de Belles Mélodies achieved significant commercial and critical success. Within its first month of release, the album sold 40,000 copies and earned gold certification,^[1] ultimately reaching nearly 500,000 copies sold in France.^[10] In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it debuted at number one on the national music charts, surpassing Tshala Muana's Sikila.^[11] Internationally, the album entered RFI Musique's 2009 "Top 10 World Music Albums" at number eight, a ranking described as the musical equivalent of an "all-star team" that recognizes artists whose work has made a notable cultural impact.^[12][13] Over a decade later, in 2021, the Congolese cultural outlet Strong2Kin Moov reported that the album remained in the Top 100 World Music Albums chart on iTunes.^[14]

Critically, the album was praised for its stylistic fusion. The EastAfrican accentuated Ipupa's innovative blend of Congolese rumba, ndombolo, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B, noting that the bilingual love song "Chaise Électrique"—a duet with former G-Unit R&B singer Olivia—generated widespread attention and marked his emergence on the global music stage.^[5][6] South Africa's TVSA credited the album's success to a combination of romantic ballads such as "Travelling Love", "Tshô", "Une Minute", and "Cadenas", alongside club-oriented tracks like "Bicarbonate" and "Sexy Dance", whose ndombolo roots made them popular in Congolese nightlife.^[25] TVSA also observed that Nana Ketchup Terrace, a store owned by Ipupa's wife in Bandalungwa, featured prominently in several of the album's music videos.^[26] Strong2Kin Moov lauded the work as "a perfect counterpoint" and "the Holy Grail" of Ipupa's discography.^[14]

At the 2010 Ndule Awards, Arsenal de Belles Mélodies won Best Album, Best Video for "Chaise Électrique", and Best Song for "Délibération".^[27][28] The music video for "Sexy Dance" earned the award for Best Video at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards.^[29][30][31] Additionally, "Sexy Dance" was named Most Popular Song of the Year and Central African Song of the Year at the 2011 Museke Online African Music Awards.^[32][33]

Credits adapted from the album's back cover: