Papa Wemba, Congolese singer, Died at 66

  Music

Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba/known as Papa Wemba was born on June 14, 1949, and died on April 24, 2016.

He was a Congolese rumba (later known as soukous) singer and musician.

Papa Wemba was one of Africa’s most popular musicians, prominent in world music, and a fashion icon, who popularized the Sapeur look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica.

Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba road to fame and prominence began when he joined the music group Zaiko Langa Langa.

And followed by his success as a founding member both of Isifi Lokole and then Yoka Lokole.

However, he gained international success and status with his band Viva La Musica.

Papa Wemba was also known as an actor.

During 1987, Wemba played the male lead role in the successful Zairean (Congolese) film La Vie est Belle by Belgian director Benoît Lamy and Congolese producer-director Ngangura Mweze.

He had a cameo role in the Belgian drama film Kinshasa Kids, in 2012.

He died after collapsing on stage in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Papa Wemba passed away at 66 yrs old.