Yesterday, it was 30 years ago that singer Abeti Masikini left us on age of 39. She was a significant figure in 20th-century Congolese and African popular music. She is noted for modernizing Congolese music. Les Redoutables was a launching pad for numerous female artists such as Abby Surya, Mbilia Bel and late Tshala Muana, and male artists as well, such as Lokua Kanza, late Lambio Lambio (choreographer), Komba Bellow (drummer), Boffi Banengola (drummer), late Kisenkwa (choreographer), etc.

Abeti was the first Congolese female artist to perform at major venues in Europe and America, such as Zénith de Paris (1988), Carnegie Hall (1974) Olympia Bruno Coquatrix (1971, 2x 1973 & 1986), Royal Albert Hall (1979), OVO Arena (1986) and Apollo Theater (1989). She toured several countries in Europe and Africa, and
also toured in China, where she gave 17 shows in different cities (1989)









I've noticed that Congolese people have difficulties when it comes to properly honoring legends during anniversaries. For example, this year marked 10 years since the passing of King Kester Emeneya, yet there wasn't a major event to commemorate him. If it had been in France, the U.S. or the UK, you would likely see them booking venues like Madison Square Garden, Albert Royal Hall, Olympia or Bercy, inviting a few pop stars to pay tribute and even releasing a documentary with help from their tv-channel. However, in our case, it's rare to see such initiatives and when a tribute event is organized, it often doesn't match the level of the artist's legacy

Yesterday, it was 30 years ago that singer Abeti Masikini left us on age of 39. She was a significant figure in 20th-century Congolese and African popular music. She is noted for modernizing Congolese music. Les Redoutables was a launching pad for numerous female artists such as Abby Surya, Mbilia Bel and late Tshala Muana, and male artists as well, such as Lokua Kanza, late Lambio Lambio (choreographer), Komba Bellow (drummer), Boffi Banengola (drummer), late Kisenkwa (choreographer), etc.

Abeti was the first Congolese female artist to perform at major venues in Europe and America, such as Zénith de Paris (1988), Carnegie Hall (1974) Olympia Bruno Coquatrix (1971, 2x 1973 & 1986), Royal Albert Hall (1979), OVO Arena (1986) and Apollo Theater (1989). She toured several countries in Europe and Africa, and
also toured in China, where she gave 17 shows in different cities (1989)









I've noticed that Congolese people have difficulties when it comes to properly honoring legends during anniversaries. For example, this year marked 10 years since the passing of King Kester Emeneya, yet there wasn't a major event to commemorate him. If it had been in France, the U.S. or the UK, you would likely see them booking venues like Madison Square Garden, Albert Royal Hall, Olympia or Bercy, inviting a few pop stars to pay tribute and even releasing a documentary with help from their tv-channel. However, in our case, it's rare to see such initiatives and when a tribute event is organized, it often doesn't match the level of the artist's legacy

What is the name of that song she did, I think imwith Franco? Great song.
With that said why do you think her example haven't gotten popular? Meaning thst it is rare to see very famous female singers on their own and even if they aren't on their own they received a lot of criticism, like Cindy in QL despite her being a very good singer

I only know that she recorded two songs with TP Ok Jazz in 1979 “Napesi yo mbote”, which made her finally getting accepted by the public of Kinshasa and “Bifamuri”



Being a female artist in Congo isn’t easy. Abeti was lucky to have a strong manager Gerard Akueson, who discovered her when she was 17 and later became her husband. He was the person who was getting all those contracts abroad for her. The same for Mpongo Love she was managed by saxophonist Empompo Loway, who was also rumored to have a relation with her. The key to succeed and be respected is to have a strong manager behind you.

The thing with Cindy is that she overstayed in Quartier Latin and many people don’t like her, because of “killing” Quartier Latin, which was legendary band. In the recent years, late Tshala Muana and Mbilia Bel said through interviews indirectly that  it was time for her to go solo, also that Koffi had to give her more space. Koffi apparently didn’t like it and started last year spokemen to attack Mbilia Bel and praising Cindy, that she’s the best female artist of all time in Congo.

I still play "Je suis fache" on daily
Can't believe its been 30 years already and she died so young.