I have never experienced Papa Wemba's prime so I can't judge him based on what he had done since I wasn't even born when he had success but I can say I love his Fula Ngenge A La Une Prohect and the joint AlPatshino made with Bill Clinton between Werra JB and Koffi well international Koffi Nationally Werrason the whole Congo knew him while JB I don't know I hadn't lived Titanic and TH success to judge him I do like his recent work but it seems that he have lost interest to push himself over the top

I have never experienced Papa Wemba's prime so I can't judge him based on what he had done since I wasn't even born when he had success but I can say I love his Fula Ngenge A La Une Prohect and the joint AlPatshino made with Bill Clinton between Werra JB and Koffi well international Koffi Nationally Werrason the whole Congo knew him while JB I don't know I hadn't lived Titanic and TH success to judge him I do like his recent work but it seems that he have lost interest to push himself over the top

JB had many chances to become an international superstar in his prime, but in most cases his camp advised against it. We can go into detail with our brothers, but it’s really a tragedy

@Matebu

Was this the period when he released his first solo album?  Ndombolo was a pretty huge wave. I'm surprised they talked him out of it, why?

My two-cent reply.....

The comparison should be based on a reference point and period.

• finance

- Comparison can be by who has made more money from music

• Awards

- Comparison can be by who has won most international accolades (genuine ones  )

• Social media

-Comparison can be by who has the largest followership or is the biggest trendsetter

• Number of albums

Comparison can be by who has the most albums under his belt

 and many more

Yes bro, but the industry of Congolese music had the misadvantage to not have big production company and therefore no legal and actual count of CD's sales.

If i'm not mistaken, all the artists you quotted had the advantage to be in big production compagny and have their sales counted well. I think if Congolese musician in 80s and 90s had most of their albums published by "serious" company, quickly it would go up in millions of "legal" sales and would have exceeded at least Tiken Jah Fakoly, Oumou Sangare and Mory Kante...

This is debatable, based on which part of the continent you are, the above mentioned musicians are not that much famous in Anglophone East Africa, I don't know about other parts of the continent but for Tanzania it will always be.

1. Kofi
2. Papa Wemba
3. Werra
4. JB.

The arrangement is mine, but those are the four most famous congolese musicians of this generation.

Koffi Olomide (not for Congo only Africa)

1) Salif Keita
2) Koffi Olomide
3) Yousou
4) Hugh Masekela

Eh, my bro. Don't get carried away.... by global album sales for the biggest legends still alive (over 20 year career for each) it's more:

1) Yossou N'Dour
2) Salif Keita
3) Baaba Mal
4) Alpha Blondy
5) Mory Kante
6) Tiken Jah Fakoly
7) Oumou Sangare


Koffi and Wemba may or many not be in the 8-10 ranking by total sales, but those guys listed above have millions upon millions of a multi-national following.

Masekela (RIP) is obviously one of African's greatest legends, but is not top 10. The late Manu Dibango (RIP) is a comparable jazz legend

come one .......why is it that after being given the admission to the next floor people tend to imagine what is still above?!.... the question here was all about the four. Lets say may take is Koffi, then the next closest thing should be why.

Koffi Olomide (not for Congo only Africa)

1) Salif Keita
2) Koffi Olomide
3) Yousou
4) Hugh Masekela

Eh, my bro. Don't get carried away.... by global album sales for the biggest legends still alive (over 20 year career for each) it's more:

1) Yossou N'Dour
2) Salif Keita
3) Baaba Mal
4) Alpha Blondy
5) Mory Kante
6) Tiken Jah Fakoly
7) Oumou Sangare


Koffi and Wemba may or many not be in the 8-10 ranking by total sales, but those guys listed above have millions upon millions of a multi-national following.

Masekela (RIP) is obviously one of African's greatest legends, but is not top 10. The late Manu Dibango (RIP) is a comparable jazz legend

come one .......why is it that after being given the admission to the next floor people tend to imagine what is still above?!.... the question here was all about the four. Lets say may take is Koffi, then the next closest thing should be why.

Relax.... ndeko @Jeffrey Sirjeza Sibanda introduced the discussion of biggest star in Africa rather than Congo, I responded with the artist who are biggest in Africa by popularity and album sales

They say that Wemba got a gold disc from USA? why can't I find it on RIAA site (site to check who went platnium, gold) and why hasn't wemba ever showed his plaque?

They say that Wemba got a gold disc from USA? why can't I find it on RIAA site (site to check who went platnium, gold) and why hasn't wemba ever showed his plaque?

Look at Wemba's Zenith of 1999 with Molokai, Reddy and co.

They say that Wemba got a gold disc from USA? why can't I find it on RIAA site (site to check who went platnium, gold) and why hasn't wemba ever showed his plaque?

Look at Wemba's Zenith of 1999 with Molokai, Reddy and co.

Namoni YANGO. since it was certified in USA why can't I find it here https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/

Koffi Olomide (not for Congo only Africa)

1) Salif Keita
2) Koffi Olomide
3) Yousou
4) Hugh Masekela

Eh, my bro. Don't get carried away.... by global album sales for the biggest legends still alive (over 20 year career for each) it's more:

1) Yossou N'Dour
2) Salif Keita
3) Baaba Mal
4) Alpha Blondy
5) Mory Kante
6) Tiken Jah Fakoly
7) Oumou Sangare


Koffi and Wemba may or many not be in the 8-10 ranking by total sales, but those guys listed above have millions upon millions of a multi-national following.

Masekela (RIP) is obviously one of African's greatest legends, but is not top 10. The late Manu Dibango (RIP) is a comparable jazz legend

Wow this list is eye opening to me our "stars" aren't actually stars like they proclaim because those artist you listed have impressive accolades

I think this one differs a lot, I said Koffi cause he is among the richest in Africa, relevant in all corners of the world and his social media presence surpasses everyone on your list....... Those are indeed great but not as popular as Koffi. Even if you check blogs about Africa's all time greatest musicians there is only Yousou and other names. Pepe Kalle, Fela kuti, etc

Koffi Olomide (not for Congo only Africa)

1) Salif Keita
2) Koffi Olomide
3) Yousou
4) Hugh Masekela

Eh, my bro. Don't get carried away.... by global album sales for the biggest legends still alive (over 20 year career for each) it's more:

1) Yossou N'Dour
2) Salif Keita
3) Baaba Mal
4) Alpha Blondy
5) Mory Kante
6) Tiken Jah Fakoly
7) Oumou Sangare


Koffi and Wemba may or many not be in the 8-10 ranking by total sales, but those guys listed above have millions upon millions of a multi-national following.

Masekela (RIP) is obviously one of African's greatest legends, but is not top 10. The late Manu Dibango (RIP) is a comparable jazz legend

Wow this list is eye opening to me our "stars" aren't actually stars like they proclaim because those artist you listed have impressive accolades

Angelique Kidjo is also on this top 10 list. She’s a multiple Grammy winner and has performed some of the greatest soundtracks for huge movies. A few other of the artists mentioned have also won Grammy’s

Yes bro, but the industry of Congolese music had the misadvantage to not have big production company and therefore no legal and actual count of CD's sales.

If i'm not mistaken, all the artists you quotted had the advantage to be in big production compagny and have their sales counted well. I think if Congolese musician in 80s and 90s had most of their albums published by "serious" company, quickly it would go up in millions of "legal" sales and would have exceeded at least Tiken Jah Fakoly, Oumou Sangare and Mory Kante...

This is debatable, based on which part of the continent you are, the above mentioned musicians are not that much famous in Anglophone East Africa, I don't know about other parts of the continent but for Tanzania it will always be.

1. Kofi
2. Papa Wemba
3. Werra
4. JB.

The arrangement is mine, but those are the four most famous congolese musicians of this generation.

No doubt Ndugu, This is the order for East Africa. I think JB is a fool, He never tried to capture East Africa. He would have easily captured EA during Ndombolo era. Werra also lost the golden opportunity during Solo la Bien era, the guy couldn't learn English. Fally will take over the leadership of EA from Koffi because the guy is always trying to connect with his followers not like his brother who behaves like a robot whenever he comes to EA.

No doubt Ndugu, This is the order for East Africa. I think JB is a fool, He never tried to capture East Africa. He would have easily captured EA during Ndombolo era. Werra also lost the golden opportunity during Solo la Bien era, the guy couldn't learn English. Fally will take over the leadership of EA from Koffi because the guy is always trying to connect with his followers, not like his brother who behaves like a robot whenever he comes to EA.

I would not spend sleepless nights on the East African market with the exception probably of Tanzania which if I was an artist I would go for...