I hate that this blog is starting to become a memorial for fallen Congolese musicians. This morning I have been met with the news that yet another one of our Legends has died. King Kester Emeneya passed away this morning in Paris, France. Details surrounding his death are minimal at the time but suffice it to say we here at Tambour d'Afrique are saddened by the news. May he rest in peace…
Taken from Wikipedia:
Jean Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu (born November 23, 1956 in Kikwit, died February 13 2014 in Paris, France) is a Congolese singer also known as King Kester Emeneya. He was born in Kikwit within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While a student of political science at the University of Lubumbashi in 1977, King Kester joined the band Viva La Musica. After achieving success with several popular songs, he became the most popular African singer in the 1980s and created his own band, Victoria Eleyson on December 24, 1982.[1]Emeneya Djo Kester was innovative with his music. He was the first central African musician to incorporate electronic instruments (synthesizers) in his album entitled Nzinzi which sold over 1 million copies. After years of success with populars songs, in 1993 he released his album Every Body distributed by Sonodisc. Every body was a big success internationally. In 1997, after a seven-year absence, King Kester returned to Congo. Nearly 80,000 people attended the first concert after his return, which was a record-setting feat according to the Congolese media. Emeneya is by far the greatest singer Africa ever had.
