Kekele

Biography

Congolese rumba supergroup formed by guitarist Papa Noel and veteran vocalists Bumba Massa, Loko ‘Djeskain’ Massengo, Jean-Papy Ramazani, Nyboma (Nyboma Mwan’dido, Zaire) and Wuta Mayi. The musical director for the group, Papa Noel could call on the experience gleaned from a career dating back to the 50s, including spells in African Jazz and TPOK Jazz. Nyboma and Wuta Mayi were best known for their work with Les Quatre Étoiles, with Nyboma also working with Bella-Bella, Lipua-Lipua and his own group Orchestre Kamalé, and Mayi spending time with Franco’s OK Jazz in the late 70s and early 80s. The other three vocalists could boast of recording careers dating back to the 60s.

Kékélé was launched on the back of the small-scale rumba revival of the late 90s, with the personnel experimenting with their sound in a series of informal jams. They then teamed up with renowned producer Ibrahima Sylla...

Read the Full Biography of Kekele