Tshala Muana
Tshala (second from right) in Kinshasa in 2014
Tshala (second from right) in Kinshasa in 2014
Background information
Birth nameÉlisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay
Born(1958-03-13)13 March 1958
Élisabethville, Belgian Congo
Died10 December 2022(2022-12-10) (aged 64)
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
GenresSoukous, Congolese rumba, Mutuashi
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsCharly Records, Shanachie Records, Celluloid Records

Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay (13 March 1958 – 10 December 2022), known professionally as Tshala Muana, was a singer and dancer from Congo-Kinshasa. Considered the "Queen of Mutuashi", a traditional dance music from her native Kasai region, she is often called "Mamu National".[1][2]

Muana started her artistic career as a dancer for the musical band Tsheke Tsheke Love in 1977 before turning to singing.[3] She is famous for several songs such as "Karibu Yangu". She toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and global scene and recorded over 20 albums.[4] Her music has appeared in the soundtrack of the popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City .[4]

Biography

Tshala Muana was born on 13 March 1958, in Lubumbashi, then part of the Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.[3] She was the second of ten children of Amadeus Muidikayi, a soldier, and Alphonsine Bambiwa Tumba, a housewife.[3]

In 1964, when Muana Muidikay was 6 years old, her father was murdered.[3] She was raised by her mother, who died in 2005.

In June 2020 she was rumored to have died, but was instead hospitalized after having suffered a stroke.[5]

In November 2020, Muana was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), reportedly for her song "Ingratitude", which was interpreted by many to be a veiled criticism of President Felix Tshisekedi, toward his former mentor and predecessor, President Joseph Kabila.[6][3] The singer was a public supporter of former President Joseph Kabila and his party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).[7]

On 10 December 2022, Tshala Muana died in Kinshasa, at the age of 64.[8][9][10]

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

References

  1. ^ "RDC : l'artiste musicienne Tshala Muana n'est pas décédée, elle est hospitalisée à Kinshasa" (in French). 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  2. ^ Tshala Muana, Mutuashi, Stern's Africa, retrieved 2022-11-21
  3. ^ a b c d e "Tshala Muana: The raunchy DR Congo diva who captivated a continent". BBC News. 2022-12-17. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  4. ^ a b "CARRIERE DE L'ARTISTE MUSICIENNE Elisabeth Muidikayi Tshala Muana". www.congovirtuel.com. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  5. ^ "RDC : l'artiste musicienne Tshala Muana n'est pas décédée, elle est hospitalisée à Kinshasa -". Linterview.cd (in French). 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  6. ^ Dianou, Claudia (2020-11-16). "RDC: la célèbre chanteuse Tshala Muana arrêtée". Bénin Web TV (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  7. ^ "Congolese singer Tshala Muana arrested in Kinshasa". The East African. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  8. ^ Redaction, Mbote (December 10, 2022). "Décès de la chanteuse Tshala Muana". Mbote. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Redaction, Mbote (December 10, 2022). "Tshala Muana de 1958 à 2022 (Biographie)". Mbote. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  10. ^ Tshala Muana, Congolese Singer With Danceable Messages, Dies at 64

External links

Authority control databases
Categories