Famous for his flamboyant sense of style and emotional Lingala vocals, Papa Wemba is the ambassador of a truly global African music. Originally part of the adventurous Kinshasa music scene, Wemba departed for Paris in 1986, heralding an international chapter in his career.

In 1996, Wemba joined Youssou N'Dour and other leading African musicians on an epic consciousness-raising journey through war-torn Africa, sponsored by the International Red Cross, and released the single 'So Why' to raise profits for the war victims. He now performs regularly with his international band Molokai.

In November of 2004, a French court sentenced Papa Wemba to 30 months in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros. The Correctional Court of Bobigny, in the outskirts of Paris, found Papa Wemba guilty of participating in an illegal immigration network.

Papa Wemba was accused of introducing hundreds of undocumented immigrants in France, from 2000 through 2002, disguising them as musicians or dancers of his band. He charged the immigrants 3,000 to 5,000 euros per person.

The smuggling ring was discovered in 2000 when several Congolese nationals arrived to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, claiming to be musicians working for Papa Wemba's band. None of them carried musical instruments nor luggage.

Papa Wemba did not return to prison since he had already served his time in preventive custody.
* Pauline (1970, Zaiko Langa Langa)
* L'Amoureux Decu (1972, Zaiko Langa Langa)
* Mete la Verite, Chouchouna (1973, Zaiko Langa Langa)
* Liwa ya Somo (1973–1974, Zaiko Langa Langa)
* Ainsi Va La Vie, Amazone (1975, Isifi Lokole)
* Matembele Bangi, Lisuma ya Zazu (1976, Yoka Lokole)
* Mere Superieure, Bokulaka, Mabele Mokonzi, Muana Molokai (1977)
* Princesse ya Senza, Fleur Betoko, Zonga-Zonga (1978)
* Anibo, Ata Nkale (1979)
* Levre Rose (1979, with Rochereau & Afrisa)
* Telegramme (1979, with Simaro Massiya & OK. Jazz)
* Analengo (1980), Amena (1980, duo with Pepe Kalle)
* Santa, Matebu (1980, first full album in Paris)
* Melina La Parisienne, Ufukutano (1981)
* Evenement, Rendre A Caesar (1982)
* Eliana, Bukavu Dawa (1983)
* Proclamation (1984, in Paris with Ngashie Niarchos)
* Destin ya Moto (1985)
* L'esclave, Papa Wemba – Au Japon (live) (1986)
* Papa Wemba Ekumani (1987)
* M'fono Yami (1989)
* Biloko ya Moto-Adidas Kiesse (1991)
* Le Voyageur (1992)
* Foridoles (1994)
* Emotion (1995)
* Pôle Position (1996)
* Wake-Up (1996, duo with Koffi Olomide)
* Nouvelle Ecriture (1997)
* Molokaï (1998)
* Nouvelle Ecriture dans L (1998)
* M’Zée Fula-Ngenge (1999)
* Muana Matebu(1999)
* A La Une (2000)
* Zea (2001)
* Bakala Dia Kuba (2001)
* Somo Trop (2003)
* Muana Molokaï (2004)
* Ba Zonkion (2005)
* Cheeky Summer time - Collab with Father J (2004)
* Attention L'artiste (2006)
* Notre Père Rumba (2010)

Official Web Site: http://www.papawemba.net/

Emotion (1995)