Though unknown in the music world, Robčre Acare (pronounced Rohbear Ahkear) (also known as Robert K, Robert Kombo) is a genius in music among many others. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko; Robčre Acare considered himself very lucky for migrating to the United States in the mid-80's, thus escaping both poverty and political turmoil.
Being raised to the beat of Soukous in the Congo and the American popular music in the USA, Robčre Acare has finally found the right formula to blend these two powerful music genres long tried by many great musicians without success.
Never sang in a band before nor had any previous type of music training, except singing in a catholic choir for one year when he was 14 years old. For years, an inside voice called him to do music, which he constantly refused since he never really felt the connection.
In 1998, Robčre Acare opted to go back to school instead of responding to the inner voice. While in school, the call intensified and his interest in music began to develop. Just about one month after he graduated in chemical engineering at North Carolina State University in 2003, he met a fellow Congolese singer named Joe Baule. Soon after, Robčre Acare started his own record label called RDK Kombo Records instead of pursuing a career in chemical engineering. Thereafter, he proceeded to sign Joe Baule to his label. In a very short time, they created a wonderful music style they named Soukpop, deriving from (Souk)ous and (Pop)ular.
In 2005, Robčre Acare produced Joe's debut EP album "God's song. This is the song of God". Unfortunately, Joe became very sick, never recovered from it, and passed away in mid-2007. It was a blow to this young label as obviously God had his own plan. Robčre Acare was left with no choice but to step up and take everything in his own hands.
Never doubted in his ability to continue in this path, Robčre Acare just produced and released his debut EP album "Children First". Because of his love for children and being a parent himself, Robčre Acare rightfully chose to launch his music career by dedicating "Children First" to all the parents and children around the world. "Nothing makes me happier to see parents really love their children. That's the cure to many problems in this world and that's why I wrote this song" he says. A full-length album entitled "My Love for You is Real" is scheduled for release on September 27th, 2008, in which he wrote the songs in the entire album. He programmed some drum, keyboard and guitar sounds, and he also arranged all the songs. He recorded, processed, and mixed all the songs himself. He did all that in his home recording studio. Great and talented musicians like Allen Ngoma, Papy Sukidi and Jon Boisvert also helped with some bass, keyboard, conga and guitar parts.
Robčre Acare passionately laid the foundations and set up the structures for this new music style so that other artists can easily follow and build upon it. He and his label hope to establish Soukpop as a music genre in the same rank as Hip Hop, Reggae, Rock, Pop, R&B, and so on.
