Mpiana Tshintuka Jean-Bedel Stage names: Papa Chéri, Sovereign 1st, Salvatore de la Patria Bin Adam, National Hero, Sulutani, units of measure, The man who put the coconut water, etc ... Mukulu Maréchal Born: Kananga, 02 June 1967 Son of: Mpiana Mr and Mrs Agnes Lusambo
Positioning in the family: It is the 5th son of his father, and son, born of his mother Studies made: State-certified commercial and humanities Administratives. Marital Status: Married to Mrs. Sylvie Mulumba and father of several children.
Musical: ex-President in the orchestra Wenge Musica BCBG 4X4 All-terrain and today Chairman and Leader of the orchestra Wenge BCBG Angels Adorables. Vedettes favorite: All those who seek perfection Best memories: The hard earned gold with the album''Feux de l'amour'', concerts delivered in different rooms of mythical Paris and other cities in Europe (Olympia, Zenith, Bercy) and North America, its passage in over 5 stages of the country and awards prizes for best musician.
Bad memories: the death of Blaise Kombo, one of his former colleagues Wenge 4x4, and traffic accident in Canada. Favorite dishes: Beans and fish served with rice.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, born in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938, was a singer-composer, trumpet, sax and keyboard player, bandleader, and politician. Kuti was one of Africa's most controversial musicians and throughout his life he continued to fight for the rights of the common man (and woman) despite vilification, harassment, and even imprisonment by the government of Nigeria. Born to Yoruban parents, Kuti was strongly influenced by both parents, his mother being Funmilayo, a leading figure in the nationalist struggle. Practically all of his records are dominated by political events and discussions from the approach of Pan-Africanism.
In 1954, Kuti joined the Cool Cats as a singer in that highlife band (highlife being the rage of the Lagos music scene at the time). During this period Kuti developed his own unusual sound which he described as highlife-jazz. In 1968 Kuti announced the arrival of Afro-beat, within the year was promoting his sound all over the USA on a 10-month tour where he became influenced by American jazz. When he returned to his homeland he opened a nightclub, the Shrine, and changed the name of his band to Africa 70 (and later to Egypt 80).
His bands traditionally included the typical huge line-up consisting of many singers and dancers, numerous saxophonists, trumpeteers, drummers, percussionists, and of course, many guitarists blending African rhythms and jazz horn lines with politicized song lyrics. His music was intricate, rather than calling it Afro-beat you might more arguably consider it Afro-jazz. Entire recordings often consisted of just a few songs and this propensity for jamming set up a roadblock for Fela to attain commercial acceptance in the United States. He also abhored performing a song after recording it, and this led to audience disinterest in the U.S. where the people wanted their music to be recognizable hits.
Kuti continued his outspoken attacks on the Nigerian government. When the people returned to power in 1979, Kuti began his own political party - MOP (Movement of the People). The military returned to power in 1983 and within the year Kuti was sentenced to five years in prison on a spurious currency smuggling charge. He was released in 1986 after yet another change of government.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti died on Saturday, August 2, 1997, at 4pm (local time) in Lagos, Nigeria. It had been rumoured for some time that Fela had a serious illness he was refusing treatment for, many said he was suffering from prostate cancer. But as it turns out, Fela died from complications due to AIDS. As Fela's brother, Olikoye Ransome Kuti, said at a news conference:
"The immediate cause of death of Fela was heart failure, but there were many complications arising from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome".Fela was a man with great influence in the African music world, he is irreplaceable and his presence will be sorely misssed.
Orchestre Les Mangelepa will be celebrating the 33rd anniversary since their formation, and will launch their latest CD, Vituko, composed by vocalist and guitarist John Monga. The event will take place at the Alliance Francaise in Nairobi. Les Mangelepa came to Kenya from what was then Zaire, now DRCongo, on July 1, 1976.
Within a short time, the band, established itself as leading exponents of rhumba music with their infectious vocals and guitar work. Among their peers are Kenya's own Maroon Commandos and Super Mazembe in Kenya. To add their musical greatness the band licensed one of their popular hit songs Nyako Konya for use as a soundtrack to a film being shot in the Netherlands.
The legendary band is made up of Evanny Kabila Kabanze (band leader and lead vocalist), Lutulu Kaniki (guitarist), and Kalenga Nzazi (guitarist), Twikale Kalonda, and John Monga (guitarist) who have kept the flame alight in the 21st century with a slew of releases - Mangelepa Millennium (2000), Remix (2005) and Golden Voices (2007).
Respect.Yvonne Chaka Chaka (born Yvonne Machaka in 1965)
is a South AfricanUmqombothi" ("African Beer") ensured Yvonne's stardom. singer. Dubbed the "Princess of Africa", Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years. Songs like "I'm Burning Up", "I'm in Love With a DJ", "I Cry for Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the ever-popular "One of her songs also features in the opening scene of the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda.
Biography
Chaka Chaka was born in Dobsonville in Soweto. She became the first Black child to appear on South African television. In 1981 "Sugar Shack", a talent show, introduced her to the South African public. Chaka Chaka started singing at 19 in 1985 when Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in Johannesburg. Shortly after, her debut album "I'm in Love With a DJ", sold 35,000 copies, and the title track became an instant hit.
Songs like "I'm Burning Up", "I Cry for Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the ever-popular, "Umqombothi" immediately ensured Chaka Chaka's status as a star on South Africa's mbaqanga music scene. Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her father died when she was 11 and her mother, a domestic worker, brought up three daughters on her meagre 40 Rand a month salary.
She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. She also studied speech and drama at Trinity College, London, qualifying in 1997. Releasing hit after hit, Chaka Chaka's subsequent award winning albums include "Burning Up", "Sangoma", "Who's The Boss", "Motherland", " Be Proud to be African", "Thank You Mr DJ", "Back on my Feet", "Rhythm of Life", "Who's got the Power", "Bombani ( Tiko Rahini), "Power of Afrika", "Yvonne and Friends" and "Kwenzenjani".
Chaka Chaka owns a limousine company together with her husband, Dr Mandlalele Mhinga, has her own music label and her own production company. She teaches literacy part time at the University of South Africa, sits on several boards of charitable organisations and NGOs, and serves on the board of the Johannesburg Tourism Company. Throughout her illustrious career Chaka Chaka has met people like Nelson Mandela (singing at his 85th birthday party), the Queen and Oprah Winfrey.
Chaka Chaka's continuing legacy as "Princess of Africa" is a testament to her connection to everyday people as well as royalty. Whether she is performing for Kings and Queens, Presidents and First Ladies or corporate concerts; she always returns to those she loves - her fans and family of listeners in South African cities, townships and rural areas.
"Mama Africa", Miriam Makeba describes her as "She's my baby!", Hugh Masekela adds that Yvonne is "my mad niece". Legends Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka describe Yvonne's music as "something that all should listen to".
When asked who she admired most, Chaka Chaka said "My mother because she has always been there for me. My mother raised three daughters single-handedly on a domestic workers salary. That took great courage and strength. She is my mentor and hero. When I was born in 1965 in Soweto, it was during apartheid, and those were extremely difficult times. My dad was a great musician who could never realize his dream. He died when I was 11 years old. I inherited my talent from both parents, so music has always been in my blood. When I was little I would strum an empty tin and blow into a broom stick pretending it was a microphone. I sang in church choirs. I loved singing. I am blessed that I achieved my destiny, and been able to accomplish what my father could not."
History
The band was formed in 1970 as Orchestra Zaiko. Soon people started calling them "Zaiko Langa Langa" in part because Langa Langa was the title of one of their songs and in part because it meant "to get drunk" in Lingala<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2">[3]</sup>. Original members included Papa Wemba, Evolocko Lay Lay, Zamungana and Nyoka Longo.
The group revolutionized Congolese music, adopting a more up tempo beat, abandoning wind instruments and emphasizing the snare drum and the solo guitar. The percussion rhythms were adapted from traditional Congolese music and the sebene became more prominent<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3">[4]</sup>.
They made great use of the call and response system and introduced chants of animation, a system that is now used extensively by most Congolese groups. Their stage shows were more frenetic and featured a frontline of almost a dozen singers.
By 1973 the band had established itself as one of DRC's most popular groups. Evolocko Jocker emerged as arguably the band's most popular member, credited with inventing the cavacha, a dance craze that swept East and Central Africa during the seventies.
By the mid seventies, the band started to fall apart. First to leave was Papa Wemba along with Bozi, Evolocko and Mavuela who formed Isifi Lokole which later split into Yoka Lokole, and Viva La Musica. Lengi Lenga was recruited in a bid to plug the gap left by Papa Wemba.
By the late seventies, despite the departure of several stalwarts, the band was at its peak. Among its members were vocalists Nyoka Longo, Lengi Lenga, Bimi Ombale, Dindo Yogo, Evolocko and Bozi Boziana along with instrumentalists Meridjo, and Bapius. Songs were now more polished, arranged and harmonious. Stage concerts were now better choreographed.
In the late eighties, disagreements occurred among the band members, as veterans Meridjo, Nyoka Longo and Dindo Yogo lined up against newer band members such as Lengi Lenga, Ilo Pablo and Bimi Ombale. This led to a spectacular split, with Nyoka's group calling themselves Zaiko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka, while Bimi's group called itself Zaiko Langa Langa Familia Dei. Both groups had a decent measure of success and commanded fanatical followings.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), has the distinction of being the first sub-Saharan African country to participate at the finals of a FIFA World Cup .That was in 1974, when they qualified for the finals hosted in Germany under the name Zaire. Although that campaign ended rather unsatisfactorily with three defeats and 14 goals conceded (including nine against Yugoslavia) - a record that puts them second only to El Salvador at the wrong end of the overall FIFA World Cup stats table - the Leopards will remain in the record books as the first African country not from the north of the continent to have paraded their skills at the showpiece of international football.
Earlier in the same year, Zaire had experienced somewhat more success at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, beating Zambia in the final. Most of the players, including goalkeeper Muamba Kazadi and strikers Mulamba Ndaye and Etepe Kakoko, who starred against the Zambians went on to play in Germany.Since then, Zaire's (and now Congo DR's) football fortunes have dwindled, and they have not come close to repeating their 1974 success of winning the African championship or qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals. Germany 2006 was the closest Congo DR came to returning to the forefront of world football.
After Alain Giresse rejected the overtures of the Congolese federation, it was another Frenchman, Claude Le Roy, who finally accepted the post. Highly knowledgeable about African football, the former Cameroon and Senegal coach wasted no time in restoring the team's acumen. Congo DR were in the running for a qualifying spot until the end of the campaign but finished on four wins, two draws and four defeats, putting them five points adrift of Ghana but ahead of South Africa. Now one of Africa's biggest countries have set their sights on the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in nearby South Africa and have turned to another Frenchman, Patrice Neveu to help them qualify.
Zaire's 1974
In 1974, Zaire became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the World Cup Finals in West Germany. Their role as tournament outsiders was exemplified by the fact that they were only allocated a single page in the Panini sticker album! Fellow World Cup debutant's Australia and Haiti also suffered the same fate, although East Germany (also making their first Finals appearance) had a double page spread!
The Leopards of Zaire endured an ignominious campaign losing all three games, including a 9-0 drubbing by Yugoslavia where goalkeeper Mwamba Kazadi (pictured) was substituted after conceding three goals in the opening twenty minutes. His performances throughout the tournament were erratic to say the least. Against Scotland in the opening game he fumbled a tame Joe Jordan header over the line, but then made some miraculous saves as the Africans kept the score down to a respectable two-goal deficit. After his substitution against the Yugoslavs (a decision apparently enforced on Zaire coach Blagoje Vidinic by government officials), Kazadi dived over a bouncing cross by Brazil's Valdimiro to gift the reigning World Champions a crucial third goal; one which saw the Scots eliminated.
Zaire did not enter the 1978 World Cup, but Kazadi played in the 1982 qualifiers, one of only two members of the '74 squad (Boba Lobilo being the other) to do so. On their humiliating return from West Germany, the majority of the players faded into anonymity, Kazadi himself sadly dying in poverty at a relatively young age. However, winger Etepe Kakoko who, as ITV commentator Gerald Sinstadt informed us during the Yugoslavia game, "once ran-down a zebra," did go onto play in the West German lower leagues.
Also featured is Kazadi's brother, Tshimen Buhanga, described as the 'Black Beckenbauer' before the tournament and the only Zairean to ever be named African Footballer of the Year (in 1973)
Zaire's captain was Mantantu Kidumu, who famously commented before the Finals began that, "after we qualified, President Mobutu presented each one of us with a house made of brick, a new car and a holiday for us and our families to the United States. I don't know what he plans to give us if we win the World Cup, but if I'm asked, I'd be quite happy with the proceeds from a copper mine!"
Throughout the tournament, Zaire were subjected to racial stereotyping and abuse from both opponents and the world media. For example, star striker Mulamba Ndaye recalled that during the Scotland game, "number four, the captain (Billy Bremner), shouted at me a couple of times during the match, 'Nigger, hey nigger!' He spat at me too and he spat in Mana's face. Scotland's number four is a wild animal."
Mwepu Ilunga was a defender in the first black African team at the World Cup finals. Reminiscing on his experiences with the Leopards of Zaire (the country is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) at the 1974 finals in West Germany, Mwepu has mixed feelings. "I was very proud, and still am, to have represented Black and Central Africa at the World Cup.
"But we had the erroneous belief that we would returning from the World Cup as millionaires," he told BBC Sport Online."We got back home without a penny in our pockets. "Look at me now, I'm living like a tramp," an angry Mwepu said.
Bad feelings
The former right full-back remains bitter about the treatment he and his team mates received 28 years ago. Mwepu accused officials of the Zairean football federation of pocketing their wages and allowances at the tournament.
<table align="RIGHT" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="154"><tbody><tr><td>Mwepu is bitter over the way the team was treated
</td></tr></tbody></table> After a 2-0 loss to Scotland, the Leopards were thrashed 0-9 by Yugoslavia. It was a result that did immense damage to the image of African football. Blame for the humiliation was squarely laid at the door of Zoran Vidinic, their Yugoslavian coach. But Mwepu says there were other reasons behind the Leopards poor performance. "Before the Yugoslavia match we learnt that we were not going to be paid, so we refused to play. "At the last moment they were persuaded to turn up for the encounter but the normally combative Leopards did not put up a fight.
Intimidation
Following the loss to Yugoslavia, the late Mobutu Sese Seko, Zaire's leader at the time, intervened directly in the team's affairs. "After the match, he sent his presidential guards to threaten us. "They closed the hotel to all journalists and said that if we lost 0-4 to Brazil, none of us would be able to return home."
The poor treatment at the World Cup was in contrast to the praises and gifts Mobutu showered on the team after they qualified for the tournament. "Mobutu was like a father to us. "When we qualified for the finals, he welcomed us in his home and gave each of us a car and a house. "Mobutu's generals were so jealous of the gifts we were given that he had to buy them a car each, to keep them quiet," Mwepu said.
In their last World Cup game, Zaire lost 0-3 to Brazil, which meant they could return home without fear of retribution. But the performance of the African champions gave the Leopards the unenviable record of conceding 14 goals without scoring a single one. It was a World Cup that fans of the African game prefer to forget.
Heri ya Mwaka Mpya Kamanda