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4 unusual facts about Papa Wemba


La Vie est Belle

La Vie est Belle (1987 film), a Zairean (Congolese) film starring Congolese singer Papa Wemba.

Maître Gims

Coming from a musical family, his father was Djuna Djanana, a vocalist of Papa Wemba's band.

Mamadou Konte

Konte and Africa Fete helped launch the careers of a number of well known, international artists, including Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour, Simon Mahlatini, Salif Keita, and Papa Wemba.

Mwezé Ngangura

La Vie est Belle starring Papa Wemba tells the story of a poor young country musician who comes to the city and becomes famous.


Geo Bilongo

In 1994, he created a project called Soukouss Gentlemen which featured Shimita, Papa Wemba, Sam Mangwana, Fede Lawu, and Geo Bilongo.

N'Yoka Longo

On December 24, 1969, in Kinshasa, he founded Zaiko Langa Langa together with Papa Wemba and a group of fellow Bel Guide National members, including Henri Mongombe, D. V. Moanda, Marcelin Bita, and Félix Manuaku Waku.

Soukous

They were joined by Papa Wemba and Sam Mangwana, and classics like Afrika Mokili Mobimba made them one of Africa's most prominent bands.


see also

Viva La Musica

Less than one year after their debut, the Elima newspaper awarded the band as "Best Orchestra" of Zaire, while Papa Wemba was declared "Best Singer" and one of their early hits, Mère Supérieure, was listed as Best Song.