Paul Mwanga

Paul Mwanga
Birth name Paul Munania
Also known as Mwanga Paul
Born Angola
Genres Soukous
Rumba
Instruments Vocals
Associated acts Orchestre Affeinta Jazz
Orchestre Jazz Venus

Paul Mwanga was a vocalist, and one of the early pioneers of soukous music. He was born in Angola.

In 1944, when modern Congolese music was only in its earliest days, Paul Mwanga's music gained popular review among the local public. He began his career working in the company of seminal greats such as Wendo,[1] and recorded a number of hits on the Opika Label teaming up with famous "Hawaiian" style guitarist Jhimmy[2] (Zacharie Elenga).

Around 1950 or 1951 Nicolas Kasanda, later to be popularly known as Docteur Nico, made his debut singing behind Paul Mwanga.[3]

In 1958 Mwanga signed to the young recording label Ngoma, which began a new period for him where his fame reached its height for his career. At the time he was one of the principal artists recording in the language Kikongo.[4]

References

  1. Liner notes in Ngoma Super 45t - Série des Grands Succès No.1004 (in French). Ngoma Record Label.
  2. Stewart, Gary (November 17, 2003). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. pp. 34–36. ISBN 1859843689.
  3. Stewart, Gary (November 17, 2003). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. p. 39. ISBN 1859843689.
  4. Liner notes in Ngoma Super 45t - Série des Grands Succès No.1004 (in French). Ngoma Record Label.