Parafifi
Parafifi is a song by Congolese musician Grand Kallé and his band Le [Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz|African Jazz], first recorded in 1953 on a 78 rpm record released by the Opika label, then reissued in the early 1960s on the Surboum African Jazz label.
Today, it is considered one of the foundational works of modern Congolese rumba.
Background and inspiration
According to several sources, the title Parafifi is a portmanteau of "Paraiso," a friend of Kallé from Benin, and "Félicité," known as Fifi, a famous announcer on Radio Brazzaville. The song is said to be a personal dedication to these two figures.Recorded versions
Original version (1953)
The first version was recorded in 1953 by Opika on a 78 rpm record. It is characterized by a minimalist arrangement, with no brass section, discreet guitar played by Nico Kasanda, and percussion by Kaya Depuissant. The vocals are performed by Grand Kallé in a slow and sentimental style.Surboum African Jazz version (~1961)
A second version was released in the early 1960s on the Surboum African Jazz label, founded by Grand Kallé. Pressed on a 45 rpm record, this more upbeat version features André Kambite, nicknamed "Damoiseau," on lead guitar.Other versions and tributes
A cha-cha-cha version of the song also exists, likely recorded in the 1960s. In 2016, singer Sam Mangwana paid tribute with the song "Félicité" on his album Lubamba.Musical analysis
Musically, Parafifi exemplifies early traits of Congolese rumba: melodic vocals, fingerstyle guitar picking, binary structure, and syncopated rhythms. The original version emphasizes slow tempo and emotion, while the 1961 version is more dance-oriented, reflecting the genre's evolution toward urban African audiences.Lyrics
The song is performed in Lingala. The lyrics celebrate Félicité Safouesse’s luminous beauty and the fascination she inspires:Félicité, mwana mwasi suka botembéThese lines are emblematic of Kallé’s lyrical style, blending tenderness with poetic romance.
Oy’a lelo, obebisi mokili awa