Wenge Musica was formed in 1981 by
Didier Masela,
Aimé Bwanga,
Werrason and
Alain Mwanga.
The young outfit played modern soukous music inspired by
Viva la Musica and
Zaiko Langa Langa.
Singers like
J.B. M'Piana,
Blaise Bula and
Marie-Paul
Kambulu joined later.
Around 1990, a split-up occurred after a stay in Europe, during which
« Kin E Bouge »
was recorded. Singer Marie Paul Kambulu decided to stay in Paris, where Ricoco Bulabemba, Alain Mwanga "Zing-Zong" and
Aimé Bwanga already started recruting young musicians, and the formation of
Wenge Musica Aile Paris was a fact.
In Kinshasa,
Wenge Musica BCBG (Bon Chic, Bon Genre) with Werrason and M'Piana continued with the release
of Kin E Bouge. A period of successful albums followed with
« Kala Yi-Boeing »,
« Les Anges Adorables »,
« Pleins feux!!! » and
« Pentagone ».
But the rivalry between Werrason and M'piana came to explosion after the successful release of M'piana's solo album
« Feux de l'amour » and in December 1997, the two singers
J.B. M'Piana and Werrason split up. J.B. M'Piana's
Wenge BCBG continues with
Alain Makaba,
Blaise Bula,
Alain Mpela,
Aimelia,
Ficarré,
Kusangila,
Titina,
Al Nzimbi,
Théo Bidens,
Burkina Mboka Liya,
Ekokota, and
Tutu Calugi.
Werrason stayed behind in Kinshasa, at first feeling betrayed. Only after a while, public demand
led to the creation of
Wenge Musica Maison Mère by Werrason, Adolphe Dominguez and
Didier Masela. Ever since, there is a vivid competition between J.B.M'Piana and Werrason.
Some Wenge BCBG members on "Titanic":
J.B. M'Piana vocals
Alain Makaba Prince guitar, keyboards
Alain Mpela Afandé vocals
Blaise Bula Parrain vocals
Titina Grand Prêtre drums
Mbuta Kisolokele Kis secretary, composer
Aimela La voix qui cloche vocals
Burkina Faso Kasongo solo guitar
Most of these musicians have left BCBG now for rivalling groups or solo careers.
Creation: in July 1981 as Wenge Musica, in the early 1990s the Kinshasa-wing became Wenge Musica BCBG,
after further split-offs continuing as J.B. Mpiana's Wenge BCBG
Born: Jean-Bedel M'Piana Tshituka is born on June 2, 1967 in Luluabourg (now Kananga), in the present-day province of Kasaļ-Central
Style: Modern Congolese music, soukous, ndombolo, Congolese rumba