Biography

Biography
ALAIN NKOSSI KONDA

Alain Nkossi Konda is a very gifted singer/songwriter originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. At a tender age he went to the US with his diplomat father who was then working for the United Nations Development Program. Says Nkossi: My father was often a member of the Salvation Army church choir in his youth where they sung songs in harmony ... both my parent's enjoyed singing and have good voices... I have been singing for as long as I cn remember".

During the more than 29 years he spent in the urban jungle of New York, Nkossi earned himself a reputation as a hard working musician/producer within the NYC Afro Pop community. He is a respected innovator who effortlessly combines his African musical heritage with his new American homeland creating what he calls Tri-cultural pop which is a combination of Funk, Soukous and Reggae with Pop hooks sung in French, English and Lingala.

His first album, Adiyoyo Mona Lisa was released in 1998.

In 1999, Nkossi became the first artist to be signed by Harry Belafonte for his new label Niger Records/Palm Pictures in collaboration with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.
During the spring of 2001, Nkossi and his associate Jim Savitt set up their own production company Afrikool. Their objective was to provide the necessary tools that could facilitate the cultural exchange between African artists and their American counterparts. Under that banner, he wrote 18 songs and co-produced with Promoter Rick Garson (Michael Jackson "Thriller" Tour, George Michael "Faith" Tour, Rolling Stones "Steel Wheels" Tour...) World Voice 2002, a spoken word album featuring artists such as Britney Spears, NSync, Aerosmith and more... Reading prayers from Pope John Paul II's private journals.

Awards in "World" category:

In 2001, Nkossi was selected as a Finalist in the U.S.A. Songwriting Contest.

In 2002, he won both the Grand prize and the 1st prize of the Intertnational John Lennon Songwriting Contest. A new re-recording of The prize winning songs, Unconditional love and Story Tellers can both be heard on his new album Nostalgia due for release this December 2005 by MDM GmbH.

In 2003, he was selected as a Semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition with his song Foot of the hill .
The same year Nkossi was a Winner in the Nashville Christmas Song competition with his original track Bells Ringing

In 2004: He was selected as a Finalist of the U.K. Songwriting Competition with a new composition titled Your anything...
Won an Honorable Mention Award at the U.S.A Songwriting Competition with another title "Bolingo".

In 2005: Nkossi won another Honorable mention Award after being selected as a Finalist at the 2004 International Songwriting Competition with a new title Moment of truth which he composed for consideration as the official song for the 2005 World Nordic Championships which were held in Obersdorf/ Germany on Feb. 16th.

In 2006: He is once again an Honorable mention Award winner at the International Peacedriven Songwriting Contest (www.peacedriven.com) with 2 of his original new songs titled respectively... "Unnacceptable" and "Pulling the rug" both featured on his latest album NOSTALGIA 3C1S1V.

Selected as Best Solo Male Artist & Best Songwriter for Germany at the 2006 Internatioanl MusicAid Awards

Winner of the 1st prize (Session 1) & 2nd prize (Session 2) in the "World" category of the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Honorable Mention Award in the "World" Category of the 2006 ISC (International Songwriting Contest).

Nkossi is well aware of the power of music and his desire to communicate through it transcends borders. He belongs to this goup of artists who understood that music is the most wonderful way to convey ideas, feelings and passions. Music overwhelms him, devours him to the point where he manages to dominate it, shape it and extrapolate it in such a way that we can perceive it as a universal language.

This is a language that he likes to share and which he transcends during his live performances. He is one of these artists we call amazing performer. During his stage acts we immerse into his musical world and cant help to let ourselves be carried away by the crazy swirl of his innovative style. The least that can be said is it lifts and stirs you up while keeping a great musical quality all through.

During a brief visit to NYC in 2005 Alain received an appointement from Ambassador Maradona and Secretary General Dr. Alessandro Manini as Special Envoy in support of the CISRI-ISP' s Program to Fight Malnutrition & Poverty, the CISRI-ISP is a permanent Observer Mission Of the United Nations System.

Production & composition of a featured sports anthem track titled: "Overtime & in the Zone" for the ADIDAS Official Website (www.adidas.com ) during the 2006 "World cup" Soccer Tournament.

NEW Album: "Natural bridge" Release date for G.A.S Territories in early August 2013 in Partnership with EDEL GmbH.

I-TUNES Nkossi's Catalogue:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/alain-nkossi-konda/id158748406

Please visit SPONSORS EPK:

1- BEYRDYNAMIC:
http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/microphones/friends-of-beyerdynamic/friends-detail/friend/alain-nkossi-konda.html

2- YAMAHA:
http://www.yamaha.com/artists/alainnkossikonda.html