Wow... Papa Wemba died 4 years ago today! To me it was one of the biggest celebrity deaths that broke me since Michael Jackson.

Heres my top 20 favourite songs by him, and you guys can follow up down below!

Siku Ya Mungu (1986)


Y'Ellissa (1986)


Endena-Ufukutanu (1995)


Associé (2000)


Union (2016)

If you play this song along with the introduction of the Lion King film, then you will see how well the scene and song go together!


Simple Rêve (2014)
Beautiful piano ballad!


Mandola (1995)
House banger! The version down below is a remix done by Queen & Disco last year! For me it's my favourite version!


Awa Y'Okeyi (1995)
Another beautiful ballad! Lokua Kanza, what a guy!



Le Voyageur (1991)
This song for me is my favourite song from his entire catalogue! It takes me back to 2015 when I was on a coach journey to Lourdes in Southern France! (Although the irony is that the song is about flying on a plane haha!)


Maryama "Terre Battue" with Mopao (1996)
As much as I love 'Mi Amor' I love this track as well! One to close the greatest Congolese duo album of all time with.


Au Nom De L'amour (2003)

This song hits hard you know!
(In the name of love, I forgive you, but don't return, you broke my heart but in the name of love, I forgive you)


No Comment Eva (2001)
I'm living for those Jazz chords!


Proclamation (1984)
I'm always using this song when trying out a couple outfits in clothes shops, the inner sapeur comes out!


Matebu (1982)
Even with this one (Same as above)


Elongi Ya Jesus (1999)


Oldies Are Goodies (1994)
The distortion sebene was the one!


Love Kilawu (1987)
RIGO STAREEEHHHHH!


Rumba Originale with (MJ 30) (2016)
I love the way the "Ngai na sambwe, na bolingo" was delivered!


And lastly, Botika Na Lela (1986)


I love this remix of it!

https://soundcloud.com/elpadrecordsprod/papa-wemba-botika-na-lela-el-padrecords-87-dance-remix

R.I.P Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba (1949-2016)

I remember the exact moment on Sunday morning when I first heard the news. I felt paralyzed for the next 4-5 hours in bed with disbelief. Wemba was/is so much a part of my life that was in a state of denial that he would be gone.

The one thing is he left earth exactly the way he wanted. Very poetic

I remember the exact moment on Sunday morning when I first heard the news. I felt paralyzed for the next 4-5 hours in bed with disbelief. Wemba was/is so much a part of my life that was in a state of denial that he would be gone.

The one thing is he left earth exactly the way he wanted. Very poetic

I think him dying on stage was the best way for him to go out! Dying doing what he loves! I did find it quite spooky when he talked about that in an interview!

I remember seeing something on Voice Of Congo, about him "collapsing" on that Sunday morning, when I got back from church, my mother told me that he was dead, I was actually about to cry my eyes out! Other than that, I had so much regret for  sleeping on him as an artist! Before he passed, I used to listen to Fula-Ngenge, Le Voyageur, Maria, Simple Rêve, Awa Y'Okeyi, Yolele etc... Masterpieces!

What's your opinion on the posthumous album  "Forever De Générations en Générations"?

I still remember when it all happened. Hearing about him collapsing on stage, the sad news breaking out hours later, the family talking about it. I almost cried that day, I grew up with the man's music!

still not a full-VHS version of his concert in Tokyo (1986)

I got a few favourite concerts of Papa Wemba

My favourite concert would have to be Papa Wemba & Nouvelle Écriture live at Zénith in 2000!

I get goosebumps when Papa Wemba asks the crowd to sing a verse of "Est-ce Que" after he got the women to sing only and then the males!

I liked that one as well as childhood memories the sound of that concert was perfect.

I liked that one as well as childhood memories the sound of that concert was perfect.

Word! That bass guitar killed it! Even with Thierry Mogratana on solo

You can hear the fingers touching the strings of the bass.

I liked that one as well as childhood memories the sound of that concert was perfect.

Word! That bass guitar killed it! Even with Thierry Mogratana on solo

For real. Tosha Fulakanda les bassist des bassists (as Alpa would fondly refer to him) was on point that night.

Ndenge nini bozo bosana Deo ?

Ndenge nini bozo bosana Deo ?

Don't worry! Tobosani Muana Matete te! May he also R.I.P

The way he played the drums espically the cymbals is like he was painting on them.