XX (Fally Ipupa album)

Following the release of his seventh studio album, Formule 7, on 28 October 2022, Ipupa disclosed in an interview with Trace Muzik that he was already working on a new urban-oriented project. He explained that he had recorded extensively and completed around 60 tracks. The record was nearly complete and only needed slight refinements to its sound and lyrics. Although it was initially slated for release in 2023, the album was delayed, and in December 2023, Ipupa disclosed that he had collaborated on a song with British actor and musician Idris Elba, but did not share any further details. In an excerpt from an interview published by Jeune Afrique on 7 October 2024, he confirmed that a surprise album was being readied for 2025, with recording progressing well, and noted that the project would serve as a complement to his upcoming concert at the Stade de France in Paris on 2 May 2026. Pre-orders on Apple Music opened in October 2025, and on 16 March 2026, Ipupa announced that the project would be a double album. The first edition, titled XX, was released by Elektra France and distributed by Warner Music France on 17 April 2026. It features guest appearances from Calema, DJ Maphorisa, Joé Dwèt Filé, Angélique Kidjo, Tresor, Lokua Kanza, Keblack, Guy2Bezbar, SDM, and Wizkid, and was co-produced by Tresor, Dany Synthé, Seysey, Joel Synthé, Ipupa, Armageddon, Layback, L.S., Le Marabout, LMB, Nate, Rudolph Wilemse, Batundi, Joé Dwèt Filé, Manacan, Lokua Kanza, Julio Masidi, Christo K, Alex Shua, DJ Maphorisa, Kan, and Nyadjiko. The follow-up edition, XX Delirium, which draws heavily from Congolese rumba, is slated for release on 10 June. == Composition and artwork ==

Composition XX contains 20 tracks and draws from Ipupa's tokooos style. Co-producer Tresor explained that he crafted what he calls "the future sound of Congolese music" to reveal a different dimension of Ipupa and broaden his global appeal. He also helped coordinate collaborators and production teams across regions, incorporating talent from the Jacquel Entertainment Group network, including Batundi and Rudolf Willemse. XX's international scope appears in "Alifa", which was recorded entirely in English, and persists in "Just for You" with Angélique Kidjo, whose chorus follows the same linguistic direction. This approach is also developed in the Afrobeats-influenced "Jam", performed in Nigerian Pidgin, Lingala, and French, featuring Nigerian singer Wizkid, On "Ma Diva", featuring Congolese-French rapper SDM, Ipupa references Ivorian music through an excerpt from "Abidjan Farot" by the band Espoir 2000, fronted by Hugues-Patrick Ossohou, Valéry Théa Doubo, and Alexis Didier Goly. Elsewhere, "Isoler" explores salsa influences, "Si tu t'en vas" adopts a French pop style, and "Doucement", a collaboration with Haitian-French singer Joé Dwèt Filé, blends compas with Congolese rumba. Despite this outward orientation, Ipupa maintains ties to his roots. "S'il était possible" incorporates elements of Congolese rumba within a hybrid structure, while "Bapaya", written entirely by Congolese singer Lokua Kanza, adopts a more introspective and thematic direction. The bonus track "Goût danger" extends XX's romantic motifs. with the Roman numeral "XX" marking twenty years since his solo debut after leaving Quartier Latin International. == Reception ==

Commercial XX performed a strong commercial debut, debuting at No. 1 on France's SNEP Top Albums chart and making Ipupa the first African artist to top the chart for the week with 12,307 equivalent sales. It also charted in Belgium with moderate success, entering at No. 14 on Ultratop Wallonia and No. 152 on Ultratop Flanders for a week. Critical Critical reception was generally positive. Congolese music journalist Étienne Kambala of Strong2kin Moov found the album "impresses with its meticulous songwriting, controlled vocals, and dense sonic architecture". Music in Africa contributors Collins Matsepe, Mandla Mhlongwa, and Lucky Mqoboli called XX "sonically bold", "brave", and praised its openness to experimentation with Congolese musical forms. Mide Ajayi of Superbold Magazine emphasized that the album is "contemporary yet deeply rooted", noting its ability to bridge "generations, geographies, and musical worlds", with songs such as "Alifa" featuring DJ Maphorisa and Tresor, "Jam" featuring Wizkid, and the French-language, salsa-infused "Isoler" being noted for their cross-cultural appeal and the album's effort to reach global audiences. Nevertheless, Kambala observed that this outward-facing direction does not overshadow its cultural foundations, citing "S'il était possible", which revisits Congolese rumba in a modern hybrid form. Ajayi similarly noted that Congolese rumba remains central, with Ipupa continuing to "modernize its guitar-led, emotionally rich foundations" by blending pop, R&B, and Afrobeats influences, which allows the album to "evolve without abandoning the cultural pulse". == Track listing ==