INNOSS'B

Innocent Didace Balume ( born May 5, 1997), known by his stage name Innoss’B, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, percussionist, and dancer from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition to adapting modern styles like Afrobeats and hip-hop, Innoss'B is a skilled djembe player. He has been called "by far the most widely recognized artist from Goma,"^[1] Innoss'B was born to a musical family - his mother was a church singer, his father was a pop music dancer and he first performed with his brothers in the group Maisha Soul.^[2] They trained at Yolé!Africa, a youth cultural center in Goma founded in 2000 by internationally acclaimed filmmaker and activist Petna Ndaliko Katondolo.^[3] At the age of 12, he won the ‘Congolese X-factor’ with more than 1.3 million votes throughout the country.^[4] He was also the first winner of the Vodacom Superstars, which brought him to the attention of actor and director Ben Affleck.^[5] In 2013 he was signed to a management contract with Interglobe Music.^[6] He has recorded and toured with Akon.

Early life

Innocent Didace Balume was born on 5 May 1997 in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo into a large family. He spent his childhood living in Birere, one of the poorest, poverty stricken districts of Goma mastering his icon, the legendary King of Pop Michael Jackson. He is the youngest of six children and gained his taste for music after his father, a former pop dancer, his mother a cantor at the local church and his three eldest siblings who are musicians. With the influence of his mother, Innoss’B also joined the choir and sang hymns to the glory of God. Innoss’B is not only a good singer and performer, but also an excellent player of djembe (African Percussion), which is also his favorite instrument.

Solo career

At the mere age of 6, Innoss’B joined Maisha Soul formerly known as Dji-life, a group formed by his brothers. At the age of 7, Innoss’B and Maisha Soul went on to win the Revelation 2007 Award during their Goma Tourism Fair for the single Another Way. This was the first time Innoss’B displayed his talent as a single publicity During these years, Innoss’B lived his life like any other children pursuing extra-curricular activities while maintaining academic brilliance and discovering his comedic talent through school competitions. His captivating smile warmed the hearts of the audience more than his voice and charisma when he took the stage. To escape the misery of war and violence surrounding him. Innoss’B turned to music as a vehicle for comfort.In 2010, Grammy Award Winning Senegalese American Hip hop and R&B Superstar, Akon teamed up with local Telecom company, Vodacom to host the first ever national music competition in the form of reality TV Vodacom Superstar in search for the next super star in the DRC. This show formed is equivalent to American Idol in the United States or Pop star and the Search for the new Star in France. Not doubting the talents of their child, Innoss’B’s parents enroll him at the age of 12 in the contest and this move would soon change their lives. Innoss’B went on to win the finals with more than 1300000 votes via sms throughout the Country. Innoss’B earned a prize package of $25,000 and a single with Akon. Upon receiving the check, Innoss’B decided to donate a portion of his monetary prize to his School by offering hardware and supplies. He also added to the happiness of families in downtown Goma by providing them with better housing. Innoss’B first taste of travel and the big stage came soon after the victory when Akon took him to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa followed by a trip to Zimbabwe where he held a concert with Jamaican Singer, Sean Paul. During the concert, Akon’s presentation of Innoss’B to the world occurred when the Grammy Awards Winning Singer sang a duel with Innoss’B called Mama Africa. From the concert, life began to move fast as Akon invited Innoss’B to Atlanta to record a single which has yet to be released officially. In April 2011 Innoss’B invited to the Global Philanthropy Forum in San Francisco to speak for his Country through music. In June 2011 during the third edition of Ndule Awards at the Grand Hotel of Kinshasa, Innoss’B is awarded the Special Jury trophy, an accolade he holds dear to his heart that rewards Pan African artists. With the success of the Vodacom Super Stars behind him, Innoss’B has not given up while waiting for the release of his single with Akon and has embarked on a promising music career. He has gone on to add Songwriter to his resume and has written a dozen Hip Hop and R&B songs including “I can be your blue-eyed boy” released in December 2011, Since its release, it has remained in the top rankings for best Hits in different classes throughout top African radio stations. In January 2013, Innoss’B performed at the 70th Golden Globes Cinema for Peace Gala for honoring American Actor, Ben Affleck for his Eastern Congo Initiative. In May 2014, Innoss’B was invited to the Liberation’s Day of Holland by Master Peace for several concerts sharing the stage with dutch Super star Roel Van Velzen in Wagningen, Assen and Zwolle, Late on September 21st, Innoss’B and Roel Van Velzen stormed one of the biggest Arenas in Europe ZiggoDome in Amsterdam celebrating peace day. Innoss’B’s commitment is to use his melody to bring peace. In February 2015 Innoss’B’ released the official video for his hit song POLA.

Collaborations

• Up and Away feat. Akon(2010)
• NAVIO She likes me feat. INNOSS'B (2013)
• One and Only Navio(UG) feat Innoss'B and AY(2013)
• Merci maman INNOSS'B feat Fally Ipupa(2010)

Discography

• "Big Afrika" (Single 2013)
• "Together As One" (Single 2014)
• "POLA" (Single 2015)
• "Cha Cha": (Single 2015)

Studio albums

• Innocent (2013)

Awards and nominations

• 2007: Revelation 2007 Award.
• 2010: Vodacom SuperStar Award
• 2011: Ndule Awards as Special Jury trophy

References