Fally Ipupa releases XX album marking 20 years in music

The 19-track project, released on 17 April through Warner Music France, features collaborations with a range of international artists, including Wizkid, Angélique Kidjo, Joé Dwèt Filé, DJ Maphorisa, Calema and KeBlack.

The album is led by the single ‘Jam’, featuring Wizkid, alongside previously released track Cinéma. Production on the project includes contributions from Trésor Riziki, Dany Synthé and Seysey.

XX follows Ipupa’s previous album Formule 7, which achieved gold certification. The new release blends contemporary pop, R&B and Afrobeats elements with the traditional guitar-driven foundations of Congolese rumba, a genre central to his catalogue.

Ipupa has built a global audience over the past two decades, with reported figures of more than three billion streams and over 2.5 billion views on YouTube. His career includes sold-out performances at major venues such as Paris La Défense Arena, OVO Arena Wembley and ING Arena Brussels.

In November 2023, he became the first African solo artist to sell out Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue.

To mark the album release and his 20-year milestone, Ipupa is scheduled to perform two concerts at Stade de France on 2 and 3 May. Additional tour dates across the UK, Europe and North America are expected to be announced later in the year.

Beyond music, Ipupa has been involved in advocacy work, serving as an ambassador for organisations including UNESCO and UNICEF.