Robčre Acare (pronounced Rohbear Ahkear) (also known as Robert K, Robert Kombo) is a true genius in music. 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 instability and political turmoil.
Being raised to the beat of Soukous in the Congo and the American popular music in the USA, Robčre Acare wanted to create a new music style that would blend these two music genres in a way that was never done before.
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, however, an inside voice urged him to do music, but he constantly refused since he never saw the connection.
In 1998, Robčre Acare opted to go back to school instead of responding to the inner voice. While in school, the urge 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 would start 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. Just in a very short time, they would create this wonderful music style they would name Soukpop, deriving from words (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 would produce and release his debut EP album titled "Children First" early 2008. Because of his love for children and being a parent himself, Robčre Acare would rightfully choose 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. His debut full-length album entitled "My Love for You is Real" was released on May 28th, 2010 in which he wrote and produced all the songs. He programmed most of the drum, keyboard and guitar sounds and arranged all the songs. He recorded, processed, and mixed all the songs himself from his home recording studio. Great and talented musicians like Allen Ngoma, Papy Sukidi, Jimmy Tsasa 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 them. 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.
