Diamond Musica to honour Papa Wemba

Papa Wemba ‘the king of Congolese rumba’ died after he collapsed on stage in front of thousands of fans during concert.

ONE of the pioneering rhumba outfits in Zimbabwe – Diamond Musica will on Saturday host a special commemoration gig for late rhumba legend Papa Wemba who died on stage in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on April 24

The special commemorative gig will be held at The Volt in the capital.

Diamond Musica manager Pitshou Lumiere confirmed this development saying the group felt it was an obligation to pay tribute to one of the greatest sons in the genre.

“Papa Wemba was a legend and he inspired us in DRC and Africa at large so we felt obliged to remember him with a special gig…We urge rhumba lovers to come in their numbers as we celebrate the legend’s life,” said Lumiere.

Lumiere said Papa Wemba loved Zimbabwe and once performed in the country. Diamond Musica is a popular group in Zimbabwe that has stood the taste of time since they came on the scene over a decade ago.

Former members of Lubumbashi stars will perform on the day. Other established artists who will perform on the day are Real Sounds of Africa, Royal Court La Musica, Madiz and Banner Disaster

Leading Rhumba artist who have performed in Zimbabwe described Papa Wemba and the man who revolusionaried and influenced a lot of artists in Africa.

These include Kanda Bongo Man, Pepe Kalle, General Defao, Extra Musica, Werrason and Koffi Olomide

Papa Wemba ‘the king of Congolese rumba’ dies after he collapses on stage in front of thousands of fans during concert

A musician known around the globe as the king of Congolese rumba has died after collapsing on stage during a concert.

Papa Wemba who was 66, was confirmed dead by Culture Minister Baudouin Banza Mukalay, who called his death a ‘great loss for Congo and all of Africa.’

Horrifying footage from the Urban Musical Festival Anoumabo (FEMUA) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast showed the musician on stage in front of thousands of fans before he collapses and is surrounded by his concerned fellow performers.

Congo’s cultural minister described the musician, whose real name was Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, as ‘a self-made man, a role model for Congolese youth.’

Flamboyant rhumba outfits – Diamond Musica

The musician rose to fame in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa during the 1970s with the band Zaiko Langa Langa.

The band are known for its guitar-based fusion of Latin and African dance styles, which inspired a generation of African musicians.

With a new band, Viva La Musica, Wemba moved to Paris in the 1980s and helped popularize Congolese music beyond Africa.

He later toured in the 1990s with British rock star Peter Gabriel and appears on his ‘Secret World Live’ album.

Wemba also was a pioneer of the ‘sapeur’ youth culture marked by its dedication to extravagant fashions.

The young men are known for wearing stylish suits and fedora hats, standing out in stark contrast in countries where poverty is endemic.

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