Werrason

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Werrason
Werrason in 2007
Werrason in 2007
Background information
Birth nameNoel Ngiama Makanda
Also known asKing of the forest, Igwe of the jungle
Born (1965-12-25) December 25, 1965 (age 58)
Kikwit, Kwilu District, Democratic Republic of the Congo
GenresAfrican music, Soukous, Congolese music, World music
Occupation(s)Singer
Songwriter
Record Producer
Arranger
Dancer
Choreographer
Instrument(s)Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion
Years active1981–present
WebsiteWerrason Official Website

Noël Ngiama Makanda (b. December 25, 1965), known professionally as Werra Son, is a Congolese musician. He's one of the founding members of musical band Wenge Musica, founded in 1981, where he played with stars like JB Mpiana, Blaise Bula and Didier Masela. He is also the co-founder of Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMM) musical band, the group he created after the split of Wenge Musica.

Early life and education

At the age of 8, Werrason was singing in his local church Kinshasa, Congo. He loved martial arts and was a champion of the martial arts at the age of 12.[1] In 1981, while studying accounting, Werrason and his college friends Didier Masela, Adolphe Dominguez, J.B Mpiana and Blaise Bula, created a musical band Wenge Musica 4X4 Tout Terrain Bon Chic Bon Genre.

Career

WMM formation and early years

Werrason's college band separated in December 1997. Werrason, Masela, and Dominguez then created Wenge Musica Maison Mère, a band based at Zamba Playa in Kinshasa. They were led by D. R. Congo and Werrason, with the help of Sankara de Kunta and Zachary Babaswe. Werrason travelled the country to recruit young musicians; his primary band members were Masela, Dominguez, Ferre Gola, Baby Ndombe, Seseli Adjani, JDT Mulopwe, Celeo Scram, Bill Kalondji, Serge Mabiala, Didier Lacoste, Lay Chou, Michael Shendu, guitarists Flam Kapaya, Japonaise Maladi, Christian Mwepu, and drummers Papay Kakol and Ali Mbonda. His first album, Force d'Intervention Rapide was released at the end of 1998.[2]

His song "Chantal Switzerland" became a noted song of the year, while his animator Bill 'Clinton' Kalondji was voted best animator.[clarification needed] His second album Solola Bien (1999) was successful in the African music scene,[3] and earned the Golden Record in France. In the same year, WMM was voted the Best Congolese Group and Werrason was named artist of the year.[by whom?] 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,[1] four months of studio work, and over 2,000 hours of writing. Kibuisa Mpimpa was described as "culturally revolutionary" by observers of African music.[who?][4] This album won him two[5] Kora awards in South Africa, including[6] "Best Artist" in Africa and "Best Album" in Central Africa.

Later that year, Werrason performed back-to-back concerts[7] 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.[8][9] In 2001, Werrason was received by Pope John Paul II. Since then, he has spoken for UNESCO campaigns against AIDS and discrimination,[10] and in campaigns against early marriages and to promote education for girls.[11][12] During his world tour, performed with other African artists including[13] Manu Dibango at the Paris Olympia, Passi, Doc Gynéco, and Benji and Akil. Werrason also collaborated with Shaggy.[14] In the same year, Werrason performed a concert at Stade des Martyrs, which was attended by over 100,000 people.[15] He also performed for 17,000 at Bercy in 2000.[16]

WMM collapse and reorganization

In 2004, Werrason lost a large number of key band members, including his deputy and composer Ferre Gola, his chief animator Bill Kalondji, and singer JDT Mulopwe. These members followed the earlier departures of Baby Ndombe, Serge Mabiala and Japonaise Maladi. Many of the former members grouped together to form a rival band called Les Marquis de Maison Mère.

At the same time, Werrason was unable to obtain European visas for his band,[17] which denied him the revenue of another European concert tour. The following year, he parted ways with sponsor Bracongo, producers of the beer 'Skol'.[18] Unable to access French recording studios, Werrason found it necessary to record in inferior Congolese studios for the first time, recording his album Alerte Generale. Werrason rebuilt his band and secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Bralima, producers of the beer Primus.[19]

In 2004, Werrason released Alerte Generale, a 4-track single, then proceeded on a European tour to promote the album. In 2005, during performances in Africa and Europe, he reorganized Wenge Musica Maison Mère, and continued work on his second solo album, Temoignage de Miracle, a 14-track double CD released in early 2005. Werrason won a 2005 KORA award for best artist in Central Africa.[20]

To crown his comeback, Werrason visited his home province of Kikwit, and performed a concert for over 200,000 people, which is one of the largest music events held in Africa.[citation needed] He followed this by another performance at Masina.[21]

Musical style

Werrason released the single Sous Sol, a song with new dance styles, guitar, and drums that proved to be successful singer. Counting on his new talented musicians Heritier Watanabe, Eboa Lotin, Miel de son, Cappucino Bogard, solo guitar master Flam Kapaya, his longtime drummer Papy Kakol, animators Brigade Sabatini and Celeo Scram, seasoned dancers[22] Anya Star, Bibisia Mfwengi, Gisele Yamamoto, Linda Kalome among others, the band enjoyed great success and did a number of major performances attended by tens of thousands in Brazzaville, Angola, Kikwit,[23] Stade de Matadi, Bukavu,[21] Masina, FIKIN among others.

Werrason joined with the Jamaican superstar Shaggy in 2006 in Kinshasa who, during an interview in CNN, recognizes Werrason as “The greatest current African artist”. The album Sous Sol was followed closely by another album Temps Present-Mayi Ya Sika with 15 tracks, in which he gave his band members a chance to develop their singing and composition prowess. Werrason is recognized for his ability and desire to promote, nurture, and expose his band members as a way of encouraging them to pursue their own solo careers. In the album Temps Present – Mayi Ya Sika, he gave singers and instrumentalists a chance to make their own compositions. Heritier Watanabe once again shone with beautiful songs[24] "Sol demi amour" and "Confession Intime", the young singers Cappuccino Bogard and Eboa Lotin composed beautiful love songs[25] "Point Carre" and [26] "Bula Wa Yo" respectively, while his experienced mi-solo guitarist Corean 'Polystar' Acompa, drummer Papy Kakol and Mimiche Bass also got a chance to do their own compositions. A number of former members of Werrason's Wenge Musica Maison Mère have benefitted from this kind of exposure and have now gone independent. They include Ferre Gola, a high flying former chief d'orchestra in WMMM who presently leads a band called 'les Marquis de Gaulois', Bill Kalondji, former animator now leader of the band le Samurai, JDT Mulopwe a former singer with WMMM presently leading "Le Marquis de Maison Mère", and Celeo Scram with his orchestra ‘Plus 10’, among others.

Werrason's next album Techno Malewa Sans Cess was released in October 2010. Making use of the continental style ‘Coup De Calle’ and new dance moves, the album received a prominent success across Africa and in Europe, and in it Werrason's versatility was shown. His new young singers[27] Deplik Filla,[28] Fabrice Energie and[29] Cafe Roum were given an opportunity to star in songs composed by Werrason. Werrason followed the release of Techno Malewa Sans Cess with his prominent performances at a packed[30]‘Zenith de Paris’ on March 13, 2010. He later visited Holland, Brussels, Lyon among others. His African performances including at[31] Bukavu's Stade de Kadutu will remain long in the memory of many African music fans. In June 2011, Werrason gave a grand performance at Stade de France's[32] Africa Night alongside other Great African artists including Meyway, Magic System and Passi and on the same month, released a single Primus[33] Diata Bawu. His next album Techno Malewa Suit en Fin was scheduled for release in July 2011.

Controversies

JB Mpiana (middle, dressed red and green) in 2007

Wenge Musica BCBG 4x4 split in 1995 amongst money disputes between directors, producers and promoters, who wished to take advantage of the new stars after they went their separate ways.[2] Band members began to align themselves around JB Mpiana, the bandleader, and around Werrason, his deputy. The band's tours of Nairobi and later Abidjan revealed growing tensions in the band. In the Nairobi tour, Werrason kept a low profile and could only be seen in the company of Adolphe and Didier Masela.

In the tension-filled performance in Ivory Coast's commercial city of Abidjan, Werrason and[34] JB Mpiana refused to share the stage, leading to the band doing two-part performances with Werrason and JB Mpiana leading separate sessions. Apart from Alain Mpela, the musicians that shared the stage with Werrason during this tour (Emelia, Ferre Gola, Adolphe, Masella) all later joined Werrason's band.

Upon return to Kinshasa, JB Mpiana released his solo album Faux De L'Amour at the Grand Hotel Kinshasa in December 1997, that caused the band to disintegrate. Musicians aligned to the two rivals exchanged words on stage[35] with Blaise Bula, who was then aligned to JB Mpiana, sarcastically telling Werrason, "my friend, you dream, and in your dreams, you would like to be Blaise Bula, JB Mpiana Alain Makaba - it is allowed to dream, my brother." These happened in the presence of Papa Wemba, who was a guest. The concert has come to be known as[36] le Concert de la Separation (English: the concert of the separation).

Most of the band members flocked to J.B. Mpiana. These were Prince Alain Makaba, Blaise Bula, Alain Mpela, Aimélia Lias, Ficarra, Kusangila, Titina, Al Nzimbi, Theo Bidens, Burkina Faso Mboka Liya, Ekokota and Tutu Calugi.[37] This split brought with its tension between JB Mpiana and Werrason's band. JB Mpiana was first to release an album, Titanic, on whose cover jacket he and his associates are seen escaping from a large sinking ship. In response, Werrason released an album titled, Force de Intervention Rapide.

The musical rivalry between Werrason and JB Mpiana, and later with[38] Koffi Olomide of[39] Quartier Latin International,[40] has served to shape Werrason's approach to music. It has inspired him to produce quality albums and better live shows to place himself above his competitors.[41][according to whom?]

Awards and honours

Werrason's achievements at Kora Music awards, South Africa.

  • 1. Best Artist Central Africa (2001)
  • 2. Overall Best Male Artist (2001)
  • 3. Finalist Best Arrangement (2002)
  • 4. Best Artist Central Africa (2004)
  • 5. Overall Best Male Artist (2004)
  • 6. Nominated Best Artist (2005)
  • 7. Won best African Artist at NAFCA in the United States (2014)
  • 8. Won Kunde Awards as best African artist (2015)

Discography

  • 1998: Force d'Intervention Rapide
  • 1999: Solola bien
  • 2000: Terrain eza Mine
  • 2001: Kibuisa Mpimpa
  • 2002: A la que leu leu
  • 2004: Tindika Lokito
  • 2004: Alerte Generale
  • 2005: Temoignage
  • 2006: Sous sol
  • 2008: Mayi ya sika (Temps present)
  • 2009: Techno Malewa Vol.1
  • 2010: Diata Bawu
  • 2011: Techno Malewa (suite & fin)
  • 2012: Satellite 2
  • 2014: Fleche Ingeta (1,2,3)
  • 2015: Sans poteau
  • 2017: 7 jours de la semaine
  • 2019: Formidable

References

  1. ^ a b http://idamawatu.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/werrason-press-kit.pdf
  2. ^ a b "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  3. ^ "La rumba congolaise". RFI Musique. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  5. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  6. ^ "Winners". Koraawards.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  7. ^ "Werrason – Grand Entrance – Zenith Paris". YouTube. November 10, 2006. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  8. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  9. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  10. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  11. ^ "Werra Son In Hd Titre Les Filles Allez A L'Ecole / Djomegabp". YouTube. April 21, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  12. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  13. ^ "Werrason – Artiesten 2011". The Hague African Festival. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  14. ^ "Shaggy A Kinshasa !". Echodynamic.oldiblog.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  15. ^ "Video Werrason – Stade des Martyrs Kinshasa, RDC Concert van Werrason (Official Myspace) – Myspace Video". Myspace.com. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  16. ^ "Entrée des danseurs – Bercy 2000 – Wenge Musica Maison Mère – Werrason – Congo – Dombolo". YouTube. June 16, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  17. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  18. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  19. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  20. ^ "50 Years of Congo Music – Werrason – Winner Five Kora Awards (African Grammy) – Style Moomberg". YouTube. December 31, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Werrason & Wenge Maison Mère – Live a Masina 2005". YouTube. January 4, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  22. ^ "Bibisia. Toujours likolo". YouTube. January 14, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  23. ^ "Werrason – Live Concert Series 5 – Matadi – Temoignage". YouTube. February 3, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  24. ^ "Congo – Werrason – Sol Demi Amour". YouTube. January 28, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  25. ^ "Congo – Werrason – Point Carre in WS". YouTube. January 28, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  26. ^ "Congo – Werrason – Temps Present – Bulawayo (Eboa Lotin)". YouTube. June 15, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  27. ^ "Mitterand Champagne [Deplic] – Techno Malewa". YouTube. August 13, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  28. ^ "Diego Music – Werrason – Techno Malewa – Clip". YouTube. August 13, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  29. ^ "Salon D'honneur [Café Roum] – Techno Malewa". YouTube. August 13, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  30. ^ "werrason zenith 2010 youtube.mp4". YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  31. ^ "Werrason à Bukavu 2010". YouTube. November 3, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  32. ^ "Werrason Live". YouTube. June 12, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  33. ^ "Clip Werrason Diata Bawu – Techno malewa suite et fin (Musique congolaise)". YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  34. ^ "Wenge Musica 4x4 Live in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 1997, Djodjo Ngonda". YouTube. June 9, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  35. ^ "LA SEPARATION DE WENGE 3 : WERRA INTERPELLE JB, PAPA WEMBA MET LES POINTS SUR LES i (INEDIT)". YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  36. ^ "LA SEPARATION DE WENGE 1 : CONCERT FEUX DE L'AMOUR, CONCERT DE LA SEPARATION AU GHK (INEDIT)". YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  37. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  38. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  39. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  40. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  41. ^ "3.0". Digitalcongo.net. Retrieved October 19, 2011.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Werrason&oldid=958921335"