New York, January 7, 2026 – Nkumu Katalay has unveiled his latest single, Hope in Phases, a transcontinental musical project that highlights hope, peace, and social healing. Written in 2009 and recorded in 2013, the track brings together a global ensemble including Congolese guitarist-singer Yohni Loboko, gospel singer Parfum Zola, jazz vocalist Shawn Whitehorn Jr., and Italian-American singer Gwendolyn Rose.
The single explores hope as a multilayered, communal, and temporal phenomenon, blending literal affirmations with rich figurative language and shifting seamlessly between English, Lingala, and French. “We live and we learn… There is hope,” Nkumu said, emphasizing the central idea that hope manifests differently for everyone, yet remains a unifying force.
In the track, Nkumu uses repetition and anaphora to strengthen the song’s rhythm and message. The chorus, which repeatedly chants “Hope, hope, hope… there is hope,” encourages audience participation and communal engagement. He also employs comparative enumerations, highlighting diverse experiences: “For some, hope is to live today; for others, hope is to see tomorrow; for Christians, hope is the return of the Messiah; but for Kongo, hope is to see good things happen.” These lines underscore hope as a shared denominator across personal, spiritual, and social contexts.
The song’s multilingual elements add cultural resonance. Lingala sections speak directly to the Congolese community, French proverbs provide rhythmic cadence and philosophical reflection, and English serves as a universal thread connecting all listeners. Nkumu explained, “Hope appears in many forms – a conversation, a hand offered, a new dawn for someone under siege. Music can be the conduit that brings those forms together.”
Nkumu’s personal motivation for Hope in Phases was deeply intimate. After a friend expressed suicidal thoughts, Nkumu played an acoustic guitar and improvised a melody that became the foundation for the song. “It is the reason to live – sometimes the only reason to live,” he stated, capturing the song’s essence as both a personal balm and a public message of resilience.
The single is designed for practical use in community settings. Nkumu and his team have proposed workshops, youth peacebuilding programs, participatory drumming and dance sessions, and psychosocial support applications. He invites partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and local networks to integrate the song into initiatives promoting peace, security, and social cohesion.
Hope in Phases is now available on major streaming platforms. An electronic press kit, translated lyrics (English, French, Lingala), workshop outlines, and a 60–90 second outreach video are accessible to media and community organizations. Nkumu Katalay LLC can be contacted via [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or +1 (212) 470-0241.
With its layered musicality, social conscience, and inclusive message, Hope in Phases stands as both a work of art and a tool for empowerment, reminding audiences across the world that hope is not only a feeling but a shared action.
