Hello, can someone explain to me how Mbilia Bel got into the music industry and her impact during the 80s.

I assume she was the hottest female star of the 80s right?

Indeed she was and still is. Widely known fact is that she was a Rocherette, a dancer for Tabu Ley’s L’International Afrisa, before he turned her into a star. She sang within the band until she went solo in the late 80s, leaving Faya Tess to take her place. She and Rochereau even share a daughter together after being “married” for a while. Pretty sure Archos or the others can dig deeper.

Indeed she was and still is. Widely known fact is that she was a Rocherette, a dancer for Tabu Ley’s L’International Afrisa, before he turned her into a star. She sang within the band until she went solo in the late 80s, leaving Faya Tess to take her place. She and Rochereau even share a daughter together after being “married” for a while. Pretty sure Archos or the others can dig deeper.

Ohh so she was a dancer at first in his group?
I know about them having a daughter but I swear they have a son together? That journalist, I forgot his name.

Wow, 80s was definitely her decade. I guess there weren't really other female singers except for the ones I know, Tshala Muana, Deyess, Scola, the lady who sang massu ahhh forgot her ahh yeah Jolie detta!! Hmmm maybe I'm wrong then about not being too many female stars.

Yes, its true that Mbilia Bel used to be a dancer (she used to dance for Tshala Muana & Abeti, but wasn’t a Rocherrette. She joined Afrisa as a singer after that Tabu Ley discovered her, when she used to sing for Sam Mangwana. Tabu Ley recruited her because he wanted to promote a ypung female singer as star of his band. Mbilia Bel and Tabu hadn’t a son, they only one daugther who sung in Tabu Ley’s album Tempelo.

Her a career is to long to explain it in a few phrases. If you want to know more just watch her interviews on YouTube.

In an Interview with Yondo.. she also admitted to dance for Tabu..

Seem they went through a similar path