Werrason | |
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 Werrason in August 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Noel Ngiama Makanda |
| Also known as | King of the forest, Igwe of the jungle, Ya Ngiama, Ambassadeur de la paix, Afula tala te, Le roi de la forêt |
| Born | December 25, 1965 Kikwit, Kwilu District, Congo-Leopoldville (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Website | Werrason Official Website |
Noël Ngiama Makanda, known professionally as Werra son, is a Congolese singer, songwriter, and bandleader born December 25, 1965, in Moliambo, a small village in the western part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), specifically in Kikwit, Kwilu Province. He is one of the founding members of musical band Wenge Musica, which was established in 1981 while he was still pursuing a degree in accountancy. Werrason, and his college friends Didier Masela, Aimé Buanga, Machiro Kifaya and others formed the band and were later joined by J.B Mpiana.[1][2][3][4]
Following the dissolution of the original Wenge Musica, Werrason went on to co-found Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM), a musical band that he created alongside Didier Masela and Adolphe Dominguez. Werrason's prodigious singing mastery, performance, and leadership have earned him a prominent position in Congolese and African music. He has been described by United Nations Global Compact as "an Ambassador For Peace" and "people's singer".[1][5]
When Werrason's college band Wenge Musica split in December 1997, Werrason, Masela, and Dominguez then created Wenge Musica Maison Mère, a band based at Zamba Playa in Kinshasa. With the help of among others Sankara de Kunta and Zacharie Babaswe, Werrason travelled the country to recruit young musicians. The band's first album, Force d'Intervention Rapide was released on November 28, 1998.[6]
His song "Chantal Switzerland" became a noted song of the year, while his animator Bill Clinton Kalonji was voted best animator.[7] Their second album, Solola Bien (1999) was successful in the African music scene,[8] and earned the Gold Record in France.
In June 2001, Werrason released his first solo album Kibuisa Mpimpa, a double CD with 17 tracks. This recording was the result of five years of preparation,[9] four months of studio work, and over 2,000 hours of writing. This album won him two Kora awards in South Africa, including[10] "Best Artist" in Africa and "Best Album" in Central Africa.
Later that year, Werrason performed back-to-back concerts at Zénith Paris, one of the largest concert halls in France. He toured Europe including London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Rome, and Stockholm. The United Nations have awarded him the title of Universal Ambassador of Peace. In 2001, Werrason was received by Pope John Paul II. Since then, he has spoken for UNESCO campaigns against AIDS and discrimination, and in campaigns against early marriages and to promote education for girls. During his world tour, performed with other African artists including[11] Manu Dibango at the Paris Olympia, Passi, Doc Gynéco, Benji and Akil. Werrason also collaborated with Shaggy.[12] In the same year, Werrason performed a concert at Stade des Martyrs, which was attended by over 100,000 people.[13] He also performed for 17,000 at Bercy in 2000.
In September 2021, the Parisian prefecture announced the cancellation of a large concert of Werrason which was to be held at the Zénith of Paris, citing "risks of serious disturbances to the public order and of attacking the safety of the spectators", in particular with threats of the demonstrations of radical opponents to the regime in place. Werrason has expressed his anger towards France.[14]
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For discography with the group, see Wenge Musica Maison Mère. |
