Go Back
King Kester Emeneya
First Name: 
Other Names: 
Last Name: 
Stage Name: 
Country: 
Born: 
D.O.D: 
Primary Language: 
Bio
Jean Baptiste Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu, known as King Kester Emeneya, was a celebrated Congolese singer. Born in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, he joined Viva La Musica during his political science studies at the University of Lubumbashi in 1977. Emeneya achieved great fame with hit songs, dominating the African music scene in the 1980s. He formed his band "Victoria Eleison" in 1982. Pioneering music programming and synthesizers, he introduced African music to a global audience, notably through his groundbreaking album "Nzinzi" in 1987. Tragically, in February 2014, Kester Emeneya passed away in Paris, France, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to resonate in the African music scene.
Discography
Albums16
Everybody
Everybody2014 • AlbumTracks: 9
Le retour (Live à Kikwit)
Le retour (Live à Kikwit)2014 • AlbumTracks: 6
Willo Mondo & La Congolaise
Willo Mondo & La Congolaise2012 • AlbumTracks: 8
Mboka Mboka
Mboka Mboka2009 • albumTracks: 6
Le jour le plus long
Le jour le plus long2007 • AlbumTracks: 13
Longue histoire, Vol. 2
Longue histoire, Vol. 22000 • AlbumTracks: 9
Longue Histoire, Vol. 1
Longue Histoire, Vol. 12000 • AlbumTracks: 9
Reponse Polo Kina
Reponse Polo Kina1998 • AlbumTracks: 6
Suka Molongo
Suka Molongo1998 • albumTracks: 10
Never Again Plus Jamais
Never Again Plus Jamais1997 • AlbumTracks: 6
Djo Kester Emeneya
Djo Kester Emeneya1991 • AlbumTracks: 4
Mokosa
Mokosa1987 • AlbumTracks: 4
Manhattan
Manhattan1985 • AlbumTracks: 4
Verckys Presente Victoria Et Emeneya
Verckys Presente Victoria Et Emeneya1984 • AlbumTracks: 4
Ndako Ya Ndele
Ndako Ya Ndele1976 • AlbumTracks: 5
Succes Fous
Succes Fous1920 • AlbumTracks: 11
Label
Record Label associated with King Kester Emeneya - past and current.
    Similar Artists
    Sammy Massa / Bumba Massa
    Sammy Massa / Bumba MassaCameroon |1945| French
    Samuel Massa, a Congolese musician widely known by his stage names Sammy Massa or Bumba Massa, has made a significant impact on Congo/Zaïre music throughout his illustrious career. He gained renown for his work with the acclaimed super-group Kékélé, as well as his contributions to Orchestre Cubana Jazz which he co-founded in 1963, and his later involvement with Franco's TPOK Jazz in 1976. In 1978, Massa embarked on a successful solo career, releasing his album "Gare à Toi Mon Ami" in 1981. Despite facing challenges in gaining international recognition, his soulful vocals and exceptional releases have earned him a revered status among fans and fellow musicians alike.
    Mahmoud Ahmed
    Mahmoud AhmedEthiopia |1941| Swahili
    Mahmoud Ahmed (Amharic: ማሀሙድ አህመድ; born May 8 or 18, 1941 is an Ethiopian singer of Gurage ancestry. He gained great popularity in Ethiopia in the 1970s and among the Ethiopian diaspora in the 1980s, before rising to international fame with African music fans in Europe. Born in Addis Ababa, Mercato district,[4] Mahmoud was enthralled with the music he heard on Ethiopian radio from an early age. Having poorly learned in school, he worked shoeshiner before becoming a handyman at the Arizona Club, which was the after hours hangout of Emperor Haile Selassie I's Imperia
    Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo
    Orchestre Rock-A-MamboCongo |1920| French
    Soukous Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque ac quam varius, hendrerit mauris ac, auctor odio. Nullam commodo magna sit amet augue euismod tincidunt. Pellentesque volutpat, dolor eget efficitur sodales, elit nisl tempus velit, sit amet iaculis leo enim at dolor. Morbi ut nisi rutrum augue eleifend ornare at et libero. Proin ultricies ornare blandit. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Nunc efficitur massa at neque rutrum gravida. Aliquam consectetur nibh urna, eget volutpat est cursus vel. Nam feugiat odio massa. Morbi rutrum velit sagittis metus volutpat, a tincidunt lacus fringilla. Nullam interdum aliquet nunc. Donec dapibus, tortor in pulvinar iaculis, arcu dui condimentum dolor, sit amet sagittis orci nibh ut leo.
    Lamartine
    LamartineAngola |1943| Other
    José Carlos Lamartine Salvador dos Santos Costa, recognized in musical circles as Lamartine, is an Angolan musician, diplomat, and statesman. He embarked on his musical journey by recording his first single in 1970 under the label "Ngola.” Lamartine was instrumental in establishing music groups like Os Kissweyas and the founding of Macacos do Ritmo. His role as the lead singer of Águias-Reais showcased his talent and commitment. Notably, Lamartine co-wrote "Avante Angola," which later became the national anthem, contributing significantly to the nationalist sentiment surrounding Angola's independence. He's also revered for popularizing the semba genre in Angola.
    Leonard Dembo
    Leonard DemboZimbabwe |1959| Shona
    Leonard Dembo (Birth Name: Kwangwarai Gwaindepi) was a Zimbabwean musician and guitarist who began singing at the age of 9. He was a prominent figure in Zimbabwe's popular music scene, and was known for his soulful voice and ability to infuse traditional Zimbabwean rhythms with contemporary elements. Dembo's hit song "Chitekete" was voted Zimbabwe’s Silver Jubilee Best Song. He released several albums throughout his career and remains one of Zimbabwe's most beloved musicians.
    Prince Nico Mbarga
    Prince Nico MbargaCameroon |1950| French
    Nico Mbarga, known as Prince Nico Mbarga, was a renowned Cameroonian-Nigerian highlife musician. Mbarga played multiple instruments such as xylophone, conga, and drums. He began his musical journey in school bands and debuted professionally with the Melody Orchestra in 1970. He gained fame for his hit song "Sweet Mother" with his band Rocafil Jazz, which became the best-selling song in African recording history. Despite recording only one major hit, "Sweet Mother", selling over 13 million copies, Mbarga played a vital role in the evolution of African popular music. He achieved success with regional hits like "I No Go Marry My Papa" with his band before recording "Sweet Mother." Although Mbarga's later career didn't match his early triumphs, he left a lasting legacy with his iconic song.
    Daniel Kamau
    Daniel KamauKenya |1949| Swahili
    Daniel Kamau Mwai, popularly known as "DK", is a Kenyan musician known for his unique benga music style. In 1968, DK released his first record, and in 1970, achieved a breakthrough with the release of the hit song "Murata/I Love You,". He established his music studio, the 'DK Nguvu Sounds" and In 1990, formed a new band called the "Lulus Band". As of 2009, DK was still performing, and he has written over 1000 songs during his long and illustrious career.
    Sam Mangwana
    Sam MangwanaCongo, The Democratic Republic of the |1945| French
    Sam Mangwana is a Congolse rumba singer who has left his mark on soukous music. He began his professional career as the lead singer and arranger for Tabu Ley Rocherau's Africa Fiesta at the age of 17. He went on to perform with several well-known soukous bands, including L'Orchestre Tembo and Franco's TPOK Jazz, and gained popularity after releasing the hit song "Maria Tebba" in 1986. His music has been noted to address issues around love, oppression, optimism, and liberation.