Ménélik and OQP

The release of Ménélik's new album was delayed in order to include the single "Je t'aime comme t'es" sung in duo with his young wife as seen in their music video.

This album is titled O.Q.P and appears to be a more mature and somber product than his earlier albums; it deals with serious subjects like racism and incest. It also includes a duo recorded with Destiny' s child called "Bug a boo".

The three pieces "Legends I, II, and III" at the end of the album make up a trilogy telling a story written in the form of a script.

The album having been recorded in both Los Angeles and Montreal, some big names like Joe from the "Fugees" were able to participate in its making.

Portrait

Although he bears the name of an Ethiopian emperor, Ménélik comes from Cameroon and his given name is Albert Tjamag. While living in Bobigny, he earned a law degree before embarking on a career in rap with the solo number "Un Petit Rien de Jazz."

Afterwards, he participated in several duos: with the English in RPM, with the Japanese of the Silent Poets and with the Germans from No Sé.

In 1995 he released his first album Phénoménélik. The three singles taken from it are "Quelle aventure," "Tout baigne" et "Tranquille." An international tour followed taking Ménélik from Dakar to Montréal with a stop in Tokyo and finishing up at the Elysée Montmartre. He appeared on the cover of Billboard Magazine and upon his first nomination at the "Victoires de la Musique," he obtained the award for "la Révélation Masculine." Once again, he got together with Mighty Pop in a duo for the song, "l'Elément manquant."

In January 1997, he created an independent body, Kaz par Kaz, whose vocation is to produce for young groups. On June 17, 1997 the second album Je Me Souviens came out preceded by the release of the single "Faut se lâcher."

Three years later, Ménélik is back front and center stage with O.Q.P.

Recording History:

1993 : Un petit rien de Jazz

1995 : Phénoménélique

1997 : Je me souviens

1998 : Bye Bye

1999 : Touché

2000 : OQP

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