Jungeli Explained

Jungeli
Birth Name:Joel Ungeli
Birth Place:Sevran, Seine-Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, Paris
Death Date:6 October 2007
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, drums
Years Active:2023–present

Joel Ungeli (born 6 October 2007), known professionally as Jungeli, is a Congolese-French singer. Born and raised in Sevran, he began his recording career in mid-2023 and later introduced his debut single, "À moi" on 12 July of that year, which went relatively unnoticed.[1] [2]

Ungeli received widespread mainstream recognition following the release of his second single, "Petit Génie" (featuring Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing, and Lossa), which debuted on 6 October 2023 and achieved commercial success in France, topping SNEP's Top Singles chart for 18 non-consecutive weeks.[3] [4] It became the fastest song of the year in France to achieve triple diamond certification[5] [6] and earned the Best African or African-inspired Music award at Les Flammes,[7] [8] as well as a nomination for Best New International Artist at the BET Awards.[9] [10] [11] The song later appeared on his 2024 debut studio album, En attendant pour le peuple.[12] [13]

He guest performed on Emma'a's single "Katana" from her 2023 self-titled album.[14] [15] His subsequent smash hit, "T'étais où?" (featuring Vegedream, Alonzo, and Zaho), released on 2 February 2024, was certified platinum by SNEP.[16] [17] [18]

Early life and career

Childhood, "À moi", and breakthrough with "Petit Génie"

Jungeli was born Joel Ungeli was born on 6 October 2007, in Sevran, a commune in the French department of Seine-Saint-Denis, located in the northeastern periphery of Paris, Île-de-France, to a Congolese parent who emigrated to France during the oppressive regime of the long-reigning dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko.[19] Growing up, he listened to music from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; he cites Fally Ipupa as an influence.[20]

In the early summer of 2023, Jungeli introduced his debut single, "À moi", through social media platforms, though it initially garnered limited attention.[21] The song was officially released on multiple music platforms on 12 July, and its accompanying music video on YouTube accumulated over 620,000 views.[22]

Jungeli commenced work on his second single "Petit Génie" shortly after "À moi" debut. Excerpts of the single were prematurely leaked and extensively shared on TikTok, leading to a surge in popularity even before its official release on 6 October 2023.[23] [24] [25] In an interview with the Ivorian Life TV on the WAM show, hosted by Willy Dumbo, he revealed that "Petit Génie" was meant to "make people happy", and did not anticipate its overwhelming success.[26] The song was composed by DJ Wiils, with the music video directed by Bastos and produced by Mania Film, featuring guest appearances from Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing, and Lossa.[27] Jungeli's refrain "Mwana natikaka moke sima ekoli oya oye" pays tribute to the famed Congolese atalaku Brigade Sabarti, who popularized this phrase in their 2009 smash hit "Techno Malewa Automatique" by Werrason and Wenge Musica Maison Mère.[28] Alonzo's rap verse makes a nod to the legendary Pépé Kallé. "Petit Génie" quickly attained commercial success in France, dominating the SNEP Top Singles chart for 18 non-consecutive weeks[29] and surpassing the previous record set by Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You", which held the top spot for 15 non-consecutive weeks. The song broke records as the fastest to reach triple diamond in France that year. It also won the Best African or African-inspired Music award at Les Flammes and earned Jungeli a nomination for Best New International Artist at the BET Awards.

Standalone releases, collaborations, and En attendant pour le peuple

On 24 November 2023, Jungeli was featured as a guest artist on Emma'a's single "Katana", from her self-titled album. The following month, he made an appearance on Big Ben's track "C'est qui?"[30] and released the single "Rashel" in collaboration with Moroccan-Belgian singer Dystinct.[31] [32] On 19 January 2024, Jungeli made another appearance on Emma'a's single "Biso Mibale",[33] preceding the release of his singles "Bijou" and "Yebisa Bango" on 23 January 2024. "Yebisa Bango", produced by Gabriel and Zafy, explored the theme of love, a motif that is also central to "Bijou", which was composed by YAM and Unleaded.[34] [35]

On 2 February 2024, Jungeli teamed up with Vegedream, Alonzo, and Zaho for the platinum-certified hit "T'étais où?", which was produced by DJ Wiils, directed by Styck, and co-produced under Daylight Productions and Ma Nia Film. On 22 March, Jungeli appeared on fellow Congolese-French singer Singuila's song "Tricheur" before featuring on Bolémvn's "On y va" from his four-track Extended Play (EP), Canada Goose.[36] On 7 June, he made a guest appearance on Youka's single "Allo", followed by a showing on the final day of the Somarôho Festival at Ambodivoanio Stadium in Andoany, Nosy-Be, on 11 August.[37] [38] [39] On 1 November 2024, he made a guest appearance on Imagine Dragons' third remix of "Take Me to the Beach" off their album Loom.

Jungeli released his debut studio album En attendant pour le peuple on 8 November 2024 under the labels Next Génération, Fulgu Prod, and 2054 Records. The two-disc album features 15 tracks on the first disc and six previously released hits on the second, including "Petit Génie", "Rashel", "Briller", "Bijou", "Yebisa Bango", and "T'étais où?". He shared with CNews that the album aims to appeal to "both younger and older generations". The cover art captures Jungeli's student life, showing him sitting atop a school desk, holding a microphone, with scattered classroom supplies.[40] He told NRJ, "Despite the success, I still go to class". The standout track, "Évidemment", featuring Dadju, quickly skyrocketed on YouTube trends.

Discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef.
2024Les FlammesBest African or African-inspired Music"Petit Génie" (with Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing, and Lossa)
2024BET AwardsBest New International ActHimself
2024NRJ Music AwardsFrench-speaking RevelationHimself[41] [42]
2024NRJ Music AwardsSocial Hit"Petit Génie" (with Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing, and Lossa)[43]
2024African Entertainment Awards USABest Collaboration"Petit Génie" (with Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing, and Lossa)[44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Éric Bureau . 31 January 2024 . "On l'a enregistré juste pour kiffer": Jungeli, le "Petit Génie" qui explose avec son tube inattendu . "We recorded it just to enjoy it": Jungeli, the "Petit Génie" who explodes with his unexpected hit . 31 August 2024 . . fr-FR . Paris, France.
  2. Web site: Biographie Jungeli: Qui est Jungeli ? . 31 August 2024 . . fr.
  3. Web site: Steffen Hung . Jungeli featuring Abou Debeing, Alonzo, Lossa and Imen Es – Petit Génie . 12 February 2024 . lescharts.com.
  4. Web site: 7 February 2024 . "Petit génie" de Jungeli vient de battre un record jamais vu depuis l'ère du streaming . Jungeli's "Little Genius" Just Broke a Record Not Seen Since the Streaming Era . 31 August 2024 . Gentsu.fr . fr-FR.
  5. Web site: Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) . Petit génie . 31 August 2024 . . fr-FR . Paris, France.
  6. Web site: 1 November 2024 . Imagine Dragons team up with Jungeli on a new version of "Take Me to the Beach" . 29 November 2024 . Universalmusic.ca . Universal Music Canada . Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  7. Web site: Farrant . Theo . 26 April 2024 . Les Flammes 2024 : Aya Nakamura reigns supreme wins three top awards . 25 May 2024 . . Lyon, France.
  8. Web site: 25 April 2024 . Les Flammes 2024 : Voici la liste complète des gagnants . Les Flammes 2024: Here is the complete list of winners . 25 May 2024 . Mbote.cd . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  9. Web site: 17 May 2024 . BET Awards : Drake, Nicki Minaj et Beyoncé dominent les nominations . BET Awards: Drake, Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé dominate nominations . 31 August 2024 . Generations.fr . fr-FR.
  10. Web site: BET Awards . 16 May 2024 . Drake Tops the List of Nominees for BET Awards 2024 With Seven Nods . 31 August 2024 . . en . New York City, New York, United States.
  11. Web site: Grein . Paul . 16 May 2024 . Drake Leads Nominations for 2024 BET Awards: Full List . 31 August 2024 . . en-US . New York City, New York, United States.
  12. Web site: 7 November 2024 . Jungeli: tout savoir sur la nouvelle star de la musique française, qui sort son premier album "Pour le peuple" . Jungeli: everything you need to know about the new star of French music, who is releasing his first album "Pour le peuple" . 29 November 2024 . . fr . Paris, France.
  13. Web site: Keisha . Mougani . 25 November 2024 . Jungeli: "Malgré le succès de "Petit génie", il m'arrive encore de prendre le bus" . At 17, Jungeli is a hit: "Despite the success of 'Little Genius', I still take the bus sometimes" . 29 November 2024 . Africaradio.com . fr . Paris, France.
  14. Web site: Muyaya . Ruphin . 3 April 2024 . EMMA'A et Fally Ipupa aperçus dans un studio d'enregistrement, la nouvelle fait saliver le public! . EMMA'A and Fally Ipupa spotted in a recording studio, the news has the public salivating! . 31 August 2024 . Strong2kin Moov . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  15. Web site: 16 December 2023 . Jungeli: après le tube "Petit génie", son nouveau single "Rashel" avec Dystinct . Jungeli: after the hit "Petit génie", his new single "Rashel" with Dystinct . 31 August 2024 . Chartsinfrance.net . fr.
  16. Web site: 2 February 2024 . Jungeli avec Vegedream, Alonzo et Zaho pout "T'étais où" . Jungeli with Vegedream, Alonzo and Zaho for "T'étais où" . 31 August 2024 . Generations.fr . fr-FR.
  17. Web site: 5 February 2024 . Nouveau clip "T’étais où?" de Jungeli feat Alonzo, Zaho et Vegedream . New video clip "T’étais où?" by Jungeli feat Alonzo, Zaho and Vegedream . 31 August 2024 . Talents2kin.com . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  18. Web site: Les certifications . 19 November 2024 . Snepmusique.com . . fr-FR . Paris, France.
  19. Web site: Éric Bureau . 31 January 2024 . "On l'a enregistré juste pour kiffer": Jungeli, le "Petit Génie" qui explose avec son tube inattendu . "We recorded it just to enjoy it": Jungeli, the "Little Genius" who explodes with his unexpected hit . 1 September 2024 . . fr-FR . Paris, France.
  20. Web site: 18 April 2024 . "Fally Ipupa plus fort que Michael Jackson?", Jungeli explique son approche . "Fally Ipupa stronger than Michael Jackson?", Jungeli explains his approach . 1 September 2024 . Strong2kin Moov . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  21. Web site: 2023 . Biographie Jungeli: Qui est Jungeli ? . Jungeli Biography: Who is Jungeli? . 1 September 2024 . . fr . Paris, France.
  22. Web site: DJ Freak . 7 February 2024 . "Petit génie" de Jungeli vient de battre un record jamais vu depuis l'ère du streaming . Jungeli's "Petit génie" Just Broke a Record Not Seen Since the Streaming Era . 1 September 2024 . Gentsu.fr . fr-FR.
  23. Web site: Berthelot . Théau . 15 August 2023 . Qui est Jungeli, l'artiste derrière le tube surprise "Petit génie" avec Imen Es et Alonzo? . Who is Jungeli, the artist behind the surprise hit "Little Genius" with Imen Es and Alonzo? . 25 May 2024 . www.chartsinfrance.net . fr . Paris, France.
  24. Web site: 8 October 2023 . Jungeli dévoile le clip de la chanson phénomène "Petit génie" [VIDÉOCLIP] ]. Jungeli unveils the video clip for the hit song "Petit génie" [VIDEO CLIP] . 1 September 2024 . Strong2kin Moov . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  25. Web site: 6 October 2023 . Jungeli "Petit génie" feat Imen Es,Alonzo, Abou2being et Lossa (Clip Officiel) . 1 September 2024 . Talents2kin.com . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  26. Web site: 6 February 2024 . "Je ne m'attendais pas à tout ça", Jungeli sur le succès de son titre "Petit génie" . 1 September 2024 . Strong2kin Moov . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  27. Web site: 11 October 2023 . Jungeli est un "Petit génie" avec Imen ES, Alonzo, Abou Debeing et Lossa . Jungeli is a "Little Genius" with Imen ES, Alonzo, Abou Debeing and Lossa . 1 September 2024 . Generations.fr . fr-FR.
  28. Web site: 8 October 2023 . "Petit génie": Jungeli, Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing et Lossa rendent hommage à Pépé Kallé et Brigade Sabarti . "Petit génie": Jungeli, Imen Es, Alonzo, Abou Debeing and Lossa pay tribute to Pépé Kallé and Brigade Sabarti . 1 September 2024 . Eventsrdc.com . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  29. Web site: Steffen Hung . Jungeli featuring Abou Debeing, Alonzo, Lossa and Imen Es – Petit Génie . 12 February 2024 . lescharts.com.
  30. Web site: 2 December 2023 . Big Ben et Jungeli te font danser dans "C'est qui" . Big Ben and Jungeli make you dance in "Who's that?" . 31 August 2024 . Generations.fr . fr-FR.
  31. Web site: 19 December 2023 . Jungeli enchaîne avec "Rashel" . Jungeli continues with "Rashel" . 31 August 2024 . Soul-addict.com . fr.
  32. Web site: 15 December 2023 . Jungeli invite Dystinct sur son nouveau single "Rashel" (audio) . Jungeli Invites Dystinct on New Single "Rashel" (Audio) . 31 August 2024 . Talents2kin.com . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  33. Web site: 20 January 2024 . "Biso mibale", la déclaration d'amour d'Emma'a et Jungeli [VIDÉOCLIP] ]. "Biso mibale", Emma'a and Jungeli's declaration of love [VIDEO CLIP] . 31 August 2024 . Strong2kin Moov . fr-FR . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  34. Web site: Narduzzi . Guillaume . 28 January 2024 . Après le tube "Petit génie", Jungeli enchaîne avec les titres "Yebisa Bango" et "Bijou" . After the hit "Petit génie", Jungeli followed up with the titles "Yebisa Bango" and "Bijou . 31 August 2024 . Chartsinfrance.net . fr.
  35. Web site: Narduzzi . Guillaume . 29 January 2024 . Top Singles: Jungeli menacé par la tornade PLK, Jul et Shay débarquent . Top Singles: Jungeli threatened by the PLK tornado, Jul and Shay arrive . 31 August 2024 . Chartsinfrance.net . fr.
  36. Web site: 14 May 2024 . Bolémvn invite Jungeli sur "On y va" . Bolémvn invites Jungeli to "On y va" . 17 October 2024 . Generations.fr . fr-FR.
  37. Web site: 10 July 2024 . MUSIQUE – Jungeli en invité international officiel du Festival Somarôho . MUSIC – Jungeli as official international guest of the Somarôho Festival . 17 October 2024 . 2424.mg . fr-FR.
  38. Web site: Andria . Hanitra . 19 July 2024 . Festival Somarôho 11e édition: Jungeli et Lucky Dube Band à l’affiche . Somarôho Festival 11th edition: Jungeli and Lucky Dube Band on the bill . 17 October 2024 . . fr-FR . Antananarivo, Madagascar.
  39. Web site: Rafalimananjara . Nicole . 19 July 2024 . FESTIVAL - Six artistes internationaux invités au Somarôho . FESTIVAL - Six international artists invited to Somarôho . 17 October 2024 . . fr . Antananarivo, Madagascar.
  40. News: Mexis . Anna . 12 November 2024 . Jungeli dévoile son premier album "En Attendant Pour Le Peuple" . Jungeli unveils his first album "En Attendant Pour Le Peuple" . 29 November 2024 . Nrj.fr . . Paris, France . fr.
  41. Web site: 23 September 2024 . NRJ Music Awards, les nominations dévoilées : Pierre et Héléna (Star Academy) encore en concurrence . NRJ Music Awards, nominations revealed: Pierre and Héléna (Star Academy) still in competition . 3 October 2024 . . fr-FR . Sunnyvale, California, United States.
  42. Web site: Yakoubaly . Samya . 23 September 2024 . NRJ Music Awards, les nominations dévoilées : Pierre et Héléna (Star Academy) encore en concurrence . NRJ Music Awards, nominations revealed: Pierre and Héléna (Star Academy) still in competition . 3 October 2024 . Purepeople.com . fr.
  43. Web site: Palmarès NRJ Music Awards 2024: Artistes et Révélations Gagnants . NRJ Music Awards 2024: Artists and Revelations Winners . 29 November 2024 . NRJ.fr . . fr . Paris, France.
  44. Web site: 4 October 2024 . African Entertainment Awards USA 2024: All the nominees . 6 October 2024 . Music In Africa . en.

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