With a new band, Viva La Musica, Wemba moved to Paris in the 1980s and helped popularize Congolese music beyond Africa. He toured in the 1990s with British rock star Peter Gabriel and appears on ...

Popular African musician Papa Wemba, who died recently, has been close to the heartbeat of the continent’s music. His influence will continue long after his death.

Why Papa Wemba’s Legacy Will Outlive Us All “Le pape de la Sape” was a punk who changed music and fashion around the world.

Papa Wemba then formed Viva la Musica, which provided a platform to showcase his talent without the stifling of would-be rivals. Viva La Musica was an immediate success.

But it was when he put together his band Viva La Musica in 1977 that Papa Wemba really came into his own. Always innovative he introduced the lokole into the mix, a traditional instrument made out ...

The widow of Papa Wemba stands in front of his poster during a concert in tribute to him on April 27, 2016 at the Palace of Culture in Abidjan. (AFP) After working with other Kinshasa artists, Papa ...

Wemba, who leaves behind a wife and several children was known as papaya bana ebele, a father of many children. He was the among the founding members of the renowned Viva La Musica band.