Arsenal de Belles Melodies
| Arsenal De Belles Melodies | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 25 June 2009 (France) | |||
| Recorded | 2007–2009 | |||
| Studio | Studio Ndiaye and Studio Grande Armée | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Obouo Music and Because Music | |||
| Producer | David Monsoh | |||
| Fally Ipupa chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Arsenal De Belles Melodies" (French for "arsenal of beautiful melodies," abbreviated as ADBM or Arsenal 2BM) is the second solo studio album by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa.[1][2][3][4] It was released on June 25, 2009, and contains 16 tracks. It is the second album by Fally Ipupa to be produced by David Monsoh. On the album, Ipupa collaborated with Olivia Longott on the song "Chaise Électrique" and with Krys on the song "Sexy Dance".[1]
The album is the second album by Ipupa to go gold for selling over 100,000 copies in less than a month, including 40,000 sales in a week.[1]
Background and production
[edit]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.[5]
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][6] The collaboration with Krys had initially been intended for the latter's album, 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]
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.[7] 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.[8] Ipupa explained that, while Congolese rumba compositions typically extend beyond seven minutes, such adaptations were necessary to meet Western broadcasting standards.[8]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bicarbonate" |
| David Monsoh | 9:27 |
| 2. | "Cadenas" |
| David Monsoh | 8:22 |
| 3. | "Tshô" |
| David Monsoh | 6:27 |
| 4. | "Travelling Love" |
| David Monsoh | 8:21 |
| 5. | "Une Minute" |
| David Monsoh | 7:23 |
| 6. | "Délibération" |
| David Monsoh | 7:02 |
| 7. | "Chaise Électrique" (featuring Olivia) |
| David Monsoh | 7:02 |
| 8. | "Nyokalessé" |
| David Monsoh | 7:52 |
| 9. | "Mon Amour" |
| David Monsoh | 6:13 |
| 10. | "Catafalque" |
| David Monsoh | 8:01 |
| 11. | "La Jungle" |
| David Monsoh | 5:46 |
| 12. | "Arsenal De Belles Mélodies" |
| David Monsoh | 9:38 |
| 13. | "5è Race" |
| David Monsoh | 8:02 |
| 14. | "Orphelin Amoureux" |
| David Monsoh | 5:07 |
| 15. | "Lourdes" |
| David Monsoh | 8:44 |
| 16. | "Sexy Dance" (featuring Krys) |
| David Monsoh | 3:21 |
| Total length: | 118:26 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Enyimo, Martin (July 18, 2009). "Congo-Kinshasa: Nouvel album - 40.000 exemplaires d'"Arsenal 2BM" de Fally Ipupa vendus" [Congo-Kinshasa: New album - 40,000 copies of "Arsenal 2BM" by Fally Ipupa sold]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Fally Ipupa: Arsenal De Belles Melodies". Radio Okapi (in French). March 6, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Atanga, Yves (April 29, 2008). "Cameroun: Tous fous de Fally" [Cameroon: Everyone is crazy about Fally]. Cameroon Tribune (in French). Yaoundé, Cameroon. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tchakounte, Alain (June 18, 2009). "Congo-Brazzaville: Fally Ipupa - "J'ai voulu partager mon inspiration"" [Congo-Brazzaville: Fally Ipupa - "I wanted to share my inspiration"]. Cameroon Tribune (in French). Yaoundé, Cameroon. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Tchapmi, Christian (June 17, 2009). "Cameroun: Fally Ipupa met le feu à Douala" [Cameroon: Fally Ipupa sets Douala ablaze]. Le Messager (in French).
- ^ "Biographie de Krys" [Krys Biography]. Archive.wikiwix.com (in French). Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "Congo-Kinshasa: Ferré Gola renvoi la bataille en juillet!" [Congo-Kinshasa: Ferré Gola postpones the battle until July!]. La Prospérité (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic REpublic of the Congo. June 18, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Lavaine, Bertrand (December 31, 2009). "Fally Ipupa au Zénith" [Fally Ipupa at the Zenith]. Radio France Internationale (in French). Retrieved August 10, 2025.