The high pitched mournful singing became a distinct part of his style. Jules Shungu Pene Kikumba,known as a pioneer of the Rhumba Rock Sound and for his impeccable dressing style.
The Congolese Musician popularly known as Papa Wemba has passed away. He was performing at the the Festival des musiques urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA) In Cote d’Ivore when he collapsed in the middle of his performance.It was reportedly said that he had no signs of ill-health although he had appeared frail in recent months.
Born in June 1949, in Lubefu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he started off as a guitarist. Papa Wemba began music in the late sixties.In one of the dailies,he stated that it was through the influence of his mother who was a professional dirge singer that he began his musical career. His music mostly spoke about love and social ills, something that led to his arrest by Mobutu Seseko’s regime.
The Congolese Rhumba musician has mentored other award-winning artists such as Koffi Olomide,the Ndombolo hit maker and Coupe Coupe Bibamba hit maker Awilo Longomba who were part of his Viva la Musica Band
Besides music, Papa Wemba was an active member of the Sapeur movement, also known as the League of Elegant Gentlemen founded by Stervos Niarcos Ngashie. He became its leader in 1979.
The prominent musician was last in Kenya in August 2014 when he performed at Capital FM’s Koroga Festival.Papa Wemba won Kenyan fans with hits such as ‘Yolele’, ‘Show Me the Way’ and ‘Wake Up’ that showcased his falsetto at its finest.
Papa Wemba has died at the age of 66 and he remains one of Africa’s most popular musicians.