Papa Wemba

Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba in December 2015
Background information
Born	(1949-06-14)June 14, 1949 Lubefu, Belgian Congo (the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Died	April 24, 2016(2016-04-24) (aged 66) Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Genres	Soukous
Associated acts	Zaiko Langa Langa, Viva la Musica
Website	www.papawemba.info

Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba (14 June 1949 – 24 April 2016), known professionally as Papa Wemba, was a Congolese singer and musician who played Congolese rumba,soukous, and ndombolo. Sometimes dubbed the "King of Rumba Rock", he was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa and played an important role in world music. He was also a fashion icon who popularized the La Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout the world.

Papa Wemba's road to fame and prominence began when he joined the music group Zaiko Langa Langa in the late 1960s. This was followed by his success as a founding member both of Isifi Lokole and then Yoka Lokole, along with a short stint as a member of Afrisa International for a few months. During these early stages of his career, he was establishing a style that included traditional Congolese rumba and soukous, infused with traditional African sounds, Caribbean rhythms, rock and soul. But Wemba gained international success and status with his band Viva La Musica, especially after he took them to Paris, France in the early 1980s. It was there that Wemba was able to achieve more of an "eclectic sound" in his work, influenced by western popular music that reflected a European flavor and style, referred to as "Europop." Wemba spoke about this transition in his music during a 2004 interview:

“When I started singing pop music, I left religious music completely. But there was always the influence of religious music on my voice because, with religious music, the minor key always recurs. When I compose songs, I often use the minor key.”

Papa Wemba was one of the first musicians to join the influential rock-rumba band Zaiko Langa Langa (ZLL) after it was created in December 1969 in Kinshasa, by many well known Congolese musicians including Nyoka Longo Jossart and Bimi Ombale, among others. He remained with the group for four years.