Rhumba star Papa Wemba dies


Papa Wemba

Reports on international media say that Papa Wemba, one of Africa’s most popular Rhumba artist in Congo has died after collapsing on stage.

The artist, born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, was performing Saturday night at the Urban Music Festival in the capital of Abidjan. He collapsed on stage and later died, said the statement.

Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba dead.

Papa Wemba, 66, was considered a Congolese icon and world music star after merging his Central African heritage with Western pop, rock and rap.

His style earned him the nickname “King of Rhumba Rock.”

Besides his musical influence, he popularized Sapeur fashion, an eccentric look with three-piece suits, shiny black leather shoes and flashy accessories.

Papa Wemba said he was inspired by his parents, who took great pride in dressing up on Sundays in the ’60s, “always well-put-together, always looking very smart.”

But in the era of Joseph Mobutu, Papa Wemba wanted to challenge the status quo, so he devised the acronym SAPE, roughly translated from the French for “the society of atmosphere-setters and elegant people.” He dressed his band, Viva La Musica, in the style, and fans across Africa soon followed suit, the CNN reports.

 

129 thoughts on “Rhumba star Papa Wemba dies

  1. Wembadio Pene Kikumba
    King of Rhumba Rock
    You did what you knew best to the dead end of your life.
    RIP WUOD AFRICA

  2. How can I explain this testimony to the public about a great man who help me out in serious illness I have HIV AID for good 3year and I was almost going to the end of my life due to the way my skin look like all I have in my mind is let me just give up because life is not interesting to me any longer but I just pray for God every day to accept my soul when ever I’m gone lucky to me my kids brother run to me that he found a doctor in the internet who can cure HIV online he help me out on everything, the doctor ask for my details, so he can prepare the herbal medicine for me from his temple after all he ask is done one week later I started getting more stronger my blood start flow normally for 4 to 5 days I start getting Wight before 6 days my body start developing my skin start coming up after 8 days which he told me that i will be completely healed, I went for HIV test and I was tested negative I’m so happy that I can say I’m not a HIV patient if you have HIV/AID or any sickness he can still help you in getting your ex-back to you please contact him via his email: [email protected], or whatsapp him on +2348143143878.

  3. Ambuye why mmatenga anthu othandiza komaso aphindu kutisiyira abwamtasa,amalingwere,anyankhupiti,asakhwi,abumbwe analikonkhwiro,agweyani,alumbe ,akhakhakha owe akuti zuza ndikutiponderezawa,

      1. Achigompha nthiko, alungu sese, achopwicho, sususu, zidzete zomwa madzi ometera, mitembo yodya nsima, akhakhakha, zitselekwete, vindere vakufikapo, zidude, opepera, odotha, obuleya.

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