Papa Wemba

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the musical artist known as Papa Wemba was known as the King of the Rumba Rock. In the late 1960s, Wemba joined the musical collective Zaiko Langa Langa. He then founded the bands Isifi Lokole and Yoka Lokole. During his time with these musical acts he began to develop a traditional musical style that combined traditional African musical tonality with Caribbean sounds and rhythms. His music was also heavily influenced by rock and roll. Wemba joined rock-rumba group Zaiko Langa Langa in 1969. During the four years that he contributed to the band, Zaika Langa Langa became one of the most successful Congolese musical groups. In 1974, shortly after the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman, Wemba and another musician left ZLL to form their own band, Isifi Lokole. It was after this transition that he began to use the name Papa Wemba. In the late 70s, Wemba and his new musical group, Viva la Musica" began to travel regularly to Paris where he believed there was a greater audience for his unique sound. In 1987 Wemba played the lead role in "La Vie est Belle", a Zairean film directed by Benoit Lamy. Wemba was the unofficial face of a movement known as La Sape, which emphasized hygiene, grooming and stylish dressing amongst young people. After an onstage collapse during a performance in the Ivory Coast, Wemba died on April 25, 2016.