Fally Ipupa may be known for commanding packed arenas with his music but away from the spotlight, the Congolese superstar is a man of simple routines, a love for football and apparently, a lot of tattoos.
Ahead of his Nairobi concert on Saturday, Fally Ipupa offered a glimpse into the person behind the global music career, sharing a few details about his childhood, school days and life away from the stage.
Long before music took centre stage, football was a big part of his life.
Asked about his first job, Fally Ipupa said he did not really have one, but he used to play football.
While football may have been his passion, it was not exactly a money making venture at the time.
“I was earning nothing from football. I was young and just playing for fun,” he said when asked how much he earned from playing.
The love for the sport has clearly stayed with him.
The Congolese star supports Spanish giants Real Madrid as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo national team, the Leopards.
His interests at school were also far removed from the world of music.
Asked about his favourite subject, the singer named biochemistry, explaining that he enjoyed biology and chemistry.
Then there is the ink part and asked how many tattoos he has, he gave a characteristically brief answer.
“Many! So many. I have many tattoos,” Fally Ipupa said trying to show some of tattoos on his arms.
His daily routine, meanwhile, is surprisingly ordinary for a man whose schedule is filled with international performances and travel.
The singer said he wakes up at 7am, although his bedtime is considerably later, usually between 1am and 2am.
“At night , I put my phone away, take a shower and then brush my teeth before sleeping. That is very important. For morning, the first task is brushing my teeth too,” he said.
Even when asked about the best advice he has ever received, his answer was uncomplicated.
“I think, just be a good person,” the Congolese star said.
It is a simple philosophy, but one that offers an interesting glimpse into the man behind the elaborate performances, hit songs and international fame.
When it comes to his own music, choosing just one favourite is almost impossible.
Asked to name his favourite Fally Ipupa song, the singer explained that he has too many songs to settle on one.
“Not my favourite, because I have many songs so I do not have a favourite song,” Fally said.
That may be a fitting response from an artist with a catalogue spanning decades and multiple musical eras.
Now, as Nairobi prepares to welcome him on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens, fans will get to see the more familiar side of Ipupa, the performer whose music has made him one of Africa’s biggest stars.
However, behind the stage lights is also the football loving former youngster, the biochemistry enthusiast, the tattoo collector and the man who starts his day with one of life’s simplest rituals: brushing his teeth.
