My Exciting 45min Interview with Afro-soul artist Regis Kole!
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With nothing else but his modulated voice, his priceless talent and boldness, Regis Kole started twenty years ago an Acapella band baptized “Esteem”; little did he or the world know then that he would be able to combine the Soul, Jazz and Funk genres to produce an impeccable Afro Soul.
The French born Beninese artist first entered the music industry along with his university mates around the early 1990s. With their African roots as sole inspiration, the group of friends spent a major amount of time rehearsing and performing at Mouss Diouf’s Bar-Restaurant “Le Reservoir”. Today, Regis Kole identifies as an independent Afro-soul showman whose music has been influenced by great artists such as Sam Cooke, John Legend, Otis Redding, Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango.
As a devoted husband and father of two, Regis Kole considers himself a lucky man; “My secret is that I stay true to myself and work as hard as possible… I have my incredible family to thank for that” he stated with a tint of warmness in his voice. Having worked with icons such as Angelique Kidjo and Manu Dibango, Regis Kole uses his status in the industry to abide by his lifelong commitment which is to help young talented African artists to overcome their struggles and achieve their goals. In early May 2011, Regis Kole, along with Lokua Kanza, William Baldé and Didier Awadi put together a show on Afrique en scène where 12 artists in the making were given the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
Regis Kole is without a doubt an artist that through music touches people and changes minds. With his originality and the exoticism behind his lyrics, he gives off during his concerts a palpable and mesmerizing energy that no audience can resist to.
“Only the combination of stage presence and humbleness makes a great artist” R.K
2009 1rst Album Solo – Optimistic Soul
2011 Production & Organisation of Afrique en scène
2012 1rst half of Manu Dibango & touring
2014 release of the EP « Here and Now »
In the wait for his upcoming EP “Here and now”, visit www.regiskole.com.