This article is the discography of Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba,[1] commonly known as Papa Wemba (14 June 1949 – 24 April 2016) who was a
Congolese singer and musician who played
Congolese rumba,
soukous and
ndombolo. Sometimes dubbed the King of Rumba Rock,[1] he was one of the most popular musicians of his time in
Africa and played an important role in
world music.
Primarily, this discography includes Papa Wemba's recordings with the four musical groups and ensembles he was a member of during the time when he played a key role in each of them as both a lyricist and musician. The four groups (followed by the years Wemba was still active in the group) are:
Viva La Musica (founding member) 1977–2016 especially after he took them to
Paris, France in the early 1980s, while mixing into the music an "eclectic sound,[2] that was influenced by western popular music reflecting a European flavor and style.
Chronological studio albums
Note: Papa Wemba was part of more than 35 album recordings.[1]
Mabele Mokonzi (Elou) (1977)
Franco présente Papa Wemba à Paris (1980, first full album in Paris)
Rendre à César, ce qui est à César (1981)
Bilombe Bakutani (1982, Trio N'Yo-Bi-We, collaborative album with
N'Yoka Longo and
Bimi Ombale)
Santa (1982)
Beloti (1982, recorded in 1980)
Mwana Molokai (1983)
Alanga Ndo (1983)
Niekese! Elengi Hein!! (1983)
Champs Elysées (1984, with Stervos Niarcos)
La Guerre des Stars - Likambo ya Mopatasi (1985, with Lita Bembo, Bozi Boziana and Espérant Kisangani)