Papa Wemba was born Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in Kazai, in the former Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). From humble village beginnings in the interior of his vast, Central African homeland, Shungu Wembadio moved to the capital city of Kinshasa when he was still a boy. There, the fledgling singer rose quickly to stardom in a series of ground breaking bands.
Famous for his flamboyant sense of style and emotional Lingala vocals, Papa Wemba was 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 later performed 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.
Papa Wemba died April 24, 2016 during a concert in Ivory Coast.
Discography:
Pauline (1970)
L’Amoureux Decu (1972)
Mete la Verite, Chouchouna (1973)
Liwa ya Somo (1974)
Ainsi Va La Vie, Amazone (1975)
Matembele Bangi, Lisuma ya Zazu (1976)
Mere Superieure, Bokulaka, Mabele Mokonzi, Muana Molokai (1977)
Princesse ya Senza, Fleur Betoko, Zonga-Zonga (1978)
Anibo, Ata Nkale (1979)
Levre Rose (1979a)
Telegramme (1979)
Analengo (1980)
Amena (1980)
Santa, Matebu (1980)
Melina La Parisienne, Ufukutano (1981)
Evenement, Rendre A Caesar (1982)
Eliana, Bukavu Dawa (1983)
Proclamation (1984)
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) (Juggler Records/ Real World, 1992)
Foridoles (1994)
Emotion (1995)
Pôle Position (1996)
Wake-Up (1996)
Nouvelle Ecriture (1997)
Molokai (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 (2004)
Attention L’artiste (2006)
Notre Père Rumba (2010)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.