Abeti masikini biography sample

Musical artist

Congolese musician and sponsor (born 1994)

Elisabeth Finant (9 Nov 1954 – 28 September 1994), known professionally as Abeti Fina-Masikini or simply Abeti Masikini, was a Congolese singer, composer, ruler, and philanthropist.^[1][2][3][4] With a almost three-decades-long career, she was smart significant figure in 20th-century African and African popular music.

Habitually referred to as the "Queen of Soukous", she is illustrious for advocating gender equality, modernizing Congolese music, and inspiring succeeding generations of musicians. Her band together, Les Redoutables, was a inauguration pad for numerous female artists.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

Born in Kisangani, then part be a devotee of the Belgian Congo and promptly the Democratic Republic of probity Congo, Masikini made her disclose debut in 1971 after give off discovered by Togolese producer Gérard Akueson, following her feat diffuse the Découverte des Jeunes Talents music contest organized by vocalist Gérard Madiata.^{[1][11][12][13]} Her debut jotter, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, unconfined in 1973, propelled her constitute the limelight, earning televised preeminence and selling out numerous venues such as Paris's Olympia Captivate and New York's Carnegie Hall.^[14][4] Over her three-decade career, Masikini recorded over twenty studio albums for a variety of make a copy of labels including Les Disques Pierre Cardin, Pathé Records, Aziza, RCA Records, Polygram Records, among others.^{[2][15][16][4]}

A trailblazer for African women refurbish music, Masikini was the extreme Congolese female artist to manipulate her own band and show in major international venues much as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, and honourableness Apollo Theater.^[3][12][14] She died cut into uterine cancer on 28 Sept 1994, in Villejuif, Paris.^[17][18][12]

Early being and career

Abeti Masikini was natal on 9 November 1954, be a success a Finant family, an upper-middle-class Congolese family of eight descendants in Stanleyville (now Kisangani), European Congo.^[1] Her father, Jean-Pierre Finant, served as the first ferocious Congolese governor of the Orientale Province in the then-Republic decay the Congo.^[14][19] Abeti Masikini's be quiet, Marie Masikini, was a church's choir-leading vocalist at Collège shelter Sacré-Coeur (now Institut Maele).

Abeti Masikini began singing as straight chorister in her mother's cathedral at an early age.^[1][4]

In 1961, Masikini's father, a Lumumbist slight adherent, was assassinated in Bakwanga (now Mbuji-Mayi).^[20][21] The family went into exile in Kinshasa, neighbourhood Masikini matriculated at the Lycée Sacré-Cœur (now Lycée Bosangani).

Subsequently completing her secondary studies, she worked as a secretary leisure pursuit the office of the Vicar of Culture, Pierre Mushete.^[22][12] Extensively working as a secretary, will not hear of devotion to music swelled. Beginning 1971, she surreptitiously modified put your feet up birthdate, claiming to be 20 years old, to participate acquit yourself Découverte des Jeunes Talents refrain contest organized by Gérard Madiata at the Parc de shivering Révolution (now Kinshasa Botanical Garden), where she secured the gear position.^[12][13][2] At the end methodical 1971, Togolese manager and maker Gérard Akueson, then overseeing soloist Bella Bellow, spotted her generous a performance in Kinshasa extra became her manager.

In mid-1972, buoyed by several relatives, she established her band, Les Ecureuils, which included her younger kin, Jean Abumba Masikini, as illustriousness lead guitarist and performed get more intimate club venues.^[23][12][13]

1972–1974: Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, Olympia Lobby, Carnegie Hall, and Zaire 74

Pursuant to the Authenticité doctrine promulgate by President Mobutu Sese Seko, Masikini moved to West Continent to advance her upcoming notebook, embarking on tours in Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, Guinea, Ghana, alight Nigeria.

During her time scuttle Nigeria, she crossed paths exhausted Fela Kuti and collaborated examine him in the same video studio.^[12][23][13] After her return change Zaire, she gradually faded plant prominence due to the hope for of records in the Zairese market.^[12]

During a recital in Leopoldville at the Palladuim Theater, Masikini announced that her debut autograph album, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, was nearing its release.^[22][12] Launched break through 1973, the album was go about a find by Les Disques Pierre Cardin, an eponymous label owned fail to notice French fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

It included hit singles much as "Mutoto Wangu", "Bibile", "Aziza", "Fulani", "Miwela", "Safari", and "Papa Yaka".^[12][7][5] The lead single, "Bibilé," told a folk tale display a river guarded by venomous spirits that had to amend appeased before people could crotchety it and venture into representation forest for hunting.^[24] "Fulani" narrated a more urbanized story be beaten two young girls gossiping criticize prospective husbands.^[23] The album was a fusion of blues, center, and folk melodies but blunt not initially receive critical approval from Kinshasa's public,^[12] as Masikini's Swahili-accented voice and eclectic harmonious influences relegated her to train classified as a "foreign singer".^[22][12] Despite the skepticism, the soundtrack gained significant attention through multitude appearances, with her newly renamed band Les Redoutables.^[12][22] Backed antisocial Abumba and Les Redoutables, Abeti recorded the tracks and redouble joined Antoinette Etisomba Lokindji rep concerts in Brussels at graceful conference on Zairean Authenticité.^[24]

Before amalgam scheduled concert at Paris's Field Hall on 19 February 1973, Masikini premiered the "Soleil à Dakar" show in Senegal, she rehearsed with Les Redoutables and was attended by Supervisor Léopold Sédar Senghor.^[12][13][25] She accordingly performed at Olympia Hall complementary Mireille Mathieu and Hugues Aufray, becoming the first African magician to do so since Maggoty Ley Rochereau in 1970.^[26] Nevertheless, according to British musicologist Metropolis Stewart, she was unwell mid the performance and played discreetly.^[24] The concert's proceeds were devoted to a relief fund top combat drought.^[12][13]

Following her stint start Paris, Masikini leased a territory at Shelburne-Murray Hill Apartment Pension in preparation for her approaching concert in New York.^[4] Class subsequent month, on 11 Stride 1974, she wowed the assignation at Carnegie Hall with Take to task Redoutables, accompanied by electric guitars and bass as well on account of modern conga drums.^[4] She became one of the "few tender African vocalists" to have unabated in the US, following Miriam Makeba and her protégée, Letta Mbulu.^[4] In an interview farm the New York Times, Masikini conveyed that the fundamental flow of her music is Person and that African youth cast-offs "revolutionizing their music".^[4] Following second performance, plans were set redraft motion for a nationwide progress across the US.^[4]

In September 1974, she participated in Zaire 74, a promotional musical festival finish for the heavyweight boxing help match between Muhammad Ali deliver George Foreman, billed as integrity Rumble in the Jungle.

Masikini shared the stage with Outlaw Brown, Miriam Makeba, Franco Luambo & OK Jazz, Zaïko Langa Langa, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Expenditure Withers, B. B. King, birth Spinners, among others.^[27][12][28]

1975–1979: Musical evolution

Abeti Masikini and Abeti à Paris

Masikini released her second self-titled initiation album Abeti Masikini in 1975, which was supported by echelon singles "Likayabo", "Ngele Ngele", "Ngoyaye Bella Bellow", "Kiliki Bamba", "Yamba Yamba", "Naliku Penda", "Sungula", nearby "Acha Maivuno".^[12][29] Produced by Pathé Records, a subsidiary of Pathé Marconi EMI, the album was distributed in various countries much as France and Mozambique.^[29][30] Set aside intricately encapsulated Zairean societal intricacies, cuisine, amorous entanglements, sexual hubbub, and women's emancipation.^[24][22][31] The path "Ngoyale Bella Bellow" paid celebration to Bella Bellow, while "Kiliki Bamba" critiqued Mobutu's Authenticité one-time championing the cause of countrified girls against sexual predators.

"Likayabo" praised the Zairean dish recognize salted fish, vegetables, and community seasonings, while "Yamba Yamba" lamented men's deceit juxtaposed with women's enduring love.^[31][22] The album helpless Masikini acclaim in West Continent and led to an overture by Bruno Coquatrix to confer on the Olympia Hall abuse for two consecutive days intricate April 1975.^[13][32] She was denominated "the tigress with the happy claws" due to numerous rings adorning her fingers, and done at Stade de Lomé ulterior that year.^[12][14]

In 1976, Masikini at large her third studio album, Abeti à Paris, which included honesty original version of her concert, "Mwana Muke Wa Miso."^[22][33] Rendering album was recorded and known in Paris by Pathé boss captures Masikini's musical journey trip her connection to the city.^[34][35][22] She subsequently took the clasp in Amsterdam in 1977 fairy story performed at the Cinéma Vog in Brazzaville the same year.^[14]

Career challenges and Abeti

During the mid-1970s, Masikini faced challenges amidst insurgency rival M'Pongo Love, whose whack "Pas Possible Mati" dominated authority Kinshasa charts and airwaves.^[36][37] Move together African blues-folk style, previously non-professional, drew criticism from some atlas her fandom.^[12] Some critics disputable that her repertoire, tailored a cut above for Swahili-speaking audiences, failed enhance resonate with the broader African populace, who preferred songs vocal in Lingala.^[12] Nonetheless, this total repertoire had propelled her nominate success beyond the country.

Gérard Akueson exhorted her problem perform alongside M'Pongo Love enthral the Palladium Cinema on Roadway Du 30 Juin, a key move to reaffirm her fund in Kinshasa's music scene.^[38][39][40]

In return to the critique, she free her self-titled fourth studio jotter, Abeti, which included standout footprints arranged in a different essay such as "Bilanda-Landa", "Kizungu-Zungu" (co-written with Zenge-Zenge), "Inquiétude" (co-written take up again Ray Lema), "Banana", "Biso-Basi" (alternately titled "Nous Les Femmes"), station "Folie-D'Amour" (co-written with Jean Abumba Masikini).^[12][30] Produced under the Romance label Capriccio and distributed harsh Music Control S.A.R.L.,^[12][30] the jotter featured a distinguished lineup disparage instrumentalists, including Soki Mikanda (alto saxophone), Zenge-Zenge (bass), Wawanko Joë (congas), Boffi Banengola (drums), Bikouta Sebastien (lead guitar), Ray Lema (piano), Gomez Watunda (rhythm guitar), Akunda (tenor saxophone), and N'Sambu M'Vula as the sound engineer.^[12][30] "Kizungu-Zungu" achieved significant success, getting a spot in the not get enough sleep 10 Congolese music charts.^[12] In the face the adult-oriented criticism of disgruntlement music in Kinshasa, her fandom predominantly comprised children who indiscriminately attended her Super Abeti Event at the Palladium Cinema jaunt affectionately referred to her translation "auntie".^[12][41] Adult fans who preferred her alternative rhythms rallied carry on her, leading to the completion of the fan clubLes Amis d'Abeti, led by Antho Alves.^[12]

Visages, Kupepe Suka and brief assignment with OK Jazz

While working superior her forthcoming album, Visages, Masikini released the album's promotional only "Motema Pasi" (alternatively titled "Bilanda-Landa").^[41] In 1978, she went memorandum Paris for the album's origination and teamed up with Poor Pezin as the arranger take precedence producer, with the album debuting in Parisian markets the sign up year.^[22][12] Produced by Pezin make up for the French record label BBZ Productions, Visages was distributed manage without RCA Records.^[22][12][42] The album deceased from her previous works primate it incorporated disco but maintain its Congolese rhythms with insufferable select tracks sung entirely organize Swahili, Lingala, and French.^[22][12] Notwithstanding criticism for straying from primacy traditional Congolese sound, Visages garnered some recognition in West Continent, Europe, and the Caribbean, locale it topped all Afro-Caribbean hits of the time.^[12][43] During undiluted promotional tour in West Continent, Masikini seized the attention clever Radio Netherlands and filmed Abeti en Holland, which featured songs from Visages in 1978.^[43][12] Pervade her return to Kinshasa, invent extensive advertising campaign was launched to support Visages.^[43][12]

In late 1978, she released her fifth shop album, Kupepe Suka.

The past performance was again arranged and run across by Slim Pezin through BBZ Productions. Masikini offers her appreciation to her fanbase in class track "Ngblimbo" and pays reverence to her hometown Kisangani tweak the track "Singa Mwambé".^[12][22] Character album's eponymous lead single, "Kupekusa", became the anthem of honourableness Zairean national football team.^[41] She performed at Estádio da Cidadela in 1978^[14] and later took the stage at the Converse Albert Hall in London enhance 1979.^[7][12]

Leveraging on the success rivalry her two preceding albums, Masikini sought, after her return have knowledge of Kinshasa, to broaden her assignation.

Collaborating for the first revolt with Kinshasa's prominent musical could do with, the OK Jazz, Masikini unconstrained two singles: "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" and "Bifamuri",^[22][12] which featured Congolese music arrangements. "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" achieved widespread prosperity in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, notwithstanding her to establish her commit an offence across the twin capitals.^[12]

1980–1985: Mokomboso, Dixième anniversaire, and Abeti

In 1980, Masikini released her sixth workroom album, Mokomboso, an eclectic rustle of disco, pop, and Human rhythms.^[22][12] Produced in France in and out of the Guadeloupean label Eddy'Son, stateowned by Eddy Gustave, who normal the record and played blue blood the gentry alto saxophone, Mokomboso was verified with five singles: "Mokomboso", "Tchaku-Tchaku", "Mawazo", "Falanga", and "Sinahamu".^[12][30] Collect March 1980, during an legitimate visit by President Mobutu obstacle China, singer Zhu Mingying [zh] believe the Chinese National Theater organisation replicated Masikini's style by enforcement two of her preceding hits from Visages: "Bisuivra Suivra" become more intense "Motema Pasi", describing it monkey "the new Chinese Abeti".^[12][41]

In 1981, to commemorate her ten-year life, Masikini debuted her eleventh accommodation album, Dixième anniversaire, which was arranged by Sammy Massamba be proof against released by Dragon Phénix.

Wide six tracks, Dixième anniversaire was buoyed by several Congolese rhumba hits: "Baruwa Kwa Mupenzi", "Chéri Badé", "Père Bouché", "Ndolindo", "Bilonda", and "Zaire Oye".^[22][12][44] The prisonbreak single "Chéri Badé" gained pervasive national recognition and set unadulterated record for ten consecutive weeks at the top of illustriousness OZRT (Office Zaïrois de Radio-Télévision) chart.^[12][44] Congolese rumba would expire her preferred rhythm for time eon to come.

However, her refrain began to lose some fence the uniqueness that had hitherto set her apart from agitate artists in Zaire.^[12] In 1982, Masikini performed in Copenhagen.^[14] Coop up 1984, she took up territory in Lomé with Les Redoutables until January 1986.^[12][22] During in sync time in West Africa, affiliate self-titled album Abeti was insecure in 1985 under the African record label Production IRIS, collide with distribution by Zika Production.^[12] Featuring four tracks and arranged wishy-washy Jacky Arconte, it was corroborated by the singles "Jalousie", "I Love You" (alternatively titled "Mwasi Ya Bolingo"), "Boyokani", and a- version of "Na Pesi Yo Mboté".^[12][45][46] The album's hit free "I Love You", produced steady in 1982 and enjoying endless popularity, eventually became a curtail hit in 1985.

Abeti attained her a gold record, interchange over 300,000 copies in Africa.^[12]

1986–1989: Je suis fachée and En colère

In spring 1986, Masikini resettled to Paris and premiered rank album Je suis fachée tab France through a Parisian earmark Bade Stars Music.

The album's soukous-inspired eponymous lead single was written, arranged, and produced hard Cameroonian singer Georges Seba, understand "Lolo" composed by Nyboma.^[22][12] Bubbly gained popularity in the Sea during a phase when loftiness West Indian band Kassav immersed in the Afro-Caribbean music scene. Je suis fachée attained gold certification.^[12][22] Masikini later performed at grandeur Wembley Arena and participated make real the Mama Africa Festival condemn Utrecht.^[14]

In 1987, Masikini released make public album En colère, which was produced by Gérard Akueson favour distributed by Bade Stars Music.^[22][12][47] She collaborated with Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and Georges Seba cover-up the arrangement, with backing vocals by Ballou Canta, Dada Hekimian, Georges Seba, and Marylou Seba.^[12][47][22] The drums were handled uninviting Denis Hekimian and Boffi Banengola, with horns played by Eric Giausserand, Jacques Bolognesi, and Alain Hatot, bass by Michel Alibo, synthesizer by Philippe Guez, folk tale percussion by Sam Ateba refuse Komba Bellow.^[12][47]En colère's success just her the moniker "Soukous Parfumé", with the single "Scandale Boo jalousie" becoming a smash prosperity in West Africa and Westmost Indies.^[12][47][22] Masikini promoted the past performance at Ouagadougou Stadium and attended on the Champs alizés county show in Martinique, where she customary Maracas d'Or for En colère.^[48][12][14]

In 1988, with the support of restlessness international fan club led unused Berthrand Nguyen Matoko, Masikini over at the Zénith de Town in front of 5,000 spread on 24 September.^[12][22][50] The fair featured several guest artists, together with Bernard Lavilliers, Manu Dibango, Nzongo Soul, Pépé Kallé, Seba, Aurlus Mabélé, and François Lougah, added was broadcast live on Wireless France Internationale.^[12][41] The success call up this show led to practised contract with the multinational put in writing company Polygram.^[12] In 1989, Masikini toured China, delivering 17 galas alongside Zhu Mingying [zh] in nobility country's major cities.

She after performed at the Apollo Ephemeral in Harlem.^[51][22][12]

1990–1993: La Reine defence Soukous

Masikini performed in Kinshasa close Palais du Peuple on 15 December 1990.^[41] The next period, she released her final volume, La Reine du Soukous.^[52] Revive in France by Jimmy Universal Production and edited by Polygram, most of the tracks were solely written by Masikini, exclude for "Ousmane", co-written with Mayaula Mayoni, and "Ma Lu", co-composed with Georges Seba.^[52][22][12] The lp was arranged by Georges Seba and Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, mess up backing vocals from Dada Hekimian, Fédé Lawu, Georges Seba, Marylou Seba, Richard Lebrun, and Solitary Sita.^[52][12]La Reine du Soukous was supported by standout singles: "Mupenzi", "Ousmane", "Bebe Matoko", "Ma Lu", and "Je Suis Occupée," survive a cover of "Mwana Muke Wa Miss".^[22][12] In 1993, she took the stage at class LSC hall in La Plaine Saint-Denis on New Year's Eve.^[22][14]

Illness and death

Masikini was diagnosed give way uterine cancer while working burden her final album, which finally progressed during her time think it over Paris.

The illness kept barren away from the public score the subsequent months, leading show to take a short cessation from music.^[22][12]

Masikini died on 28 September 1994, in Villejuif, Writer, due to the progression snatch uterine cancer.^{[17][53][54][22][13]} Her body was repatriated to Kinshasa on 9 October of the same gathering.

She was posthumously honored converge a medal of the Municipal Order of the Leopard be first was laid to rest creep 10 October at the Gombe cemetery. The funeral ceremony was attended by several personalities, repudiate family members, and devoted fans.^[17][12]

Legacy

Masikini is one of the nearly prominent figures in contemporary Mortal music.

She is one garbage the Congolese female artists who carved a professional niche behave the male-dominated music scene.^{[55][13][56][57][58][59]} Frequent ensemble Les Redoutables is alleged to be one of authority greatest "musical schools" as distinct notable artists have passed knock together it, including M'bilia Bel, Lokua Kanza, Abby Surya, Malage Space Lugendo, Tshala Muana, Yondo Nourish, Lambio Lambio, Komba Bellow, Richard Shomari, and Joëlle Esso (dancer), among others.^[60]

Her style of composition, fashionable hairstyles, and clothing confidential a significant influence on a handful African women.^[60] In West Continent, the straight skirt with expert slit is known as probity "Abeti skirt", and a develop fabric was named after time out hit song "Scandale De Jalousie".^[60]

In 2014, a documentary film coroneted Abeti Masikini: Le Combat d'Une Femme was released, which ends b body Abeti Masikini's life and aesthetic journey.

The film was required by Laura Kutila and Hard luck Kunda Nlaba.^[61][62]

Discography

Albums

• 1973: Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti (Les Disques Pierre Cardin/Sonafric) Ref: SAF 93501
• 1975: Abeti Masikini (Pathé Marconi/EMI) Ref: 2C O64 15741
• 1976: Abeti à Paris (Pathé Marconi/EMI) Ref: 2C06215.772
• 1977: Abeti (Capriccio) Ref: 37014
• 1977: Visages (BBZ productions/RCA) Ref: BZL 7014
• 1978: Abeti: Kupepe Suka (BBZ productions/RCA) Ref: BZL 7019, RCA – BZL 7019
• 1979: Na Pesi Yo Mboté (45 rpm)
• 1979: Bifamuri (45 rpm)
• 1979: Mbanda Na Ngai (45 rpm)
• 1980: Mokomboso (Eddy'son/ Sonics Records) Ref: 79398 / 79398
• 1981: Dixième anniversaire (Dragon Phoenix) Ref: DPX 829
• 1982: Abeti (Iris production) Ref: IRS 001
• 1983: Abeti: Naleli (Zika Production)
• 1984: Amour Ya Sens Unique (IAD/African Tilt Industry) Ref:IAD/S 0015
• 1984: Abeti & Eyenga Moseka: The Duo Intelligent The Century (IAD/ African Epidemic Industry) Ref: IAD/S 0016
• 1985: Ba Mauvais Copiste (Win Records/Africa Pristine Sound/Tabansi) Ref: WNL 403, Positively 8402
• 1985: Samoura (Bade Stars Music) Ref: AM 030
• 1986: Je suis fachée (Bade Stars Music) Ref: AM 033
• 1987: En colère (Bade Stars Music) Ref: AM 035
• 1988: Scandale de jalousie ( maxi 45 rpm ) (Polygram/ LAB) Ref: LAB 101
• 1990: La Reine du soukous (AMG/Polygram)

Reissue

• 2013: Le Toy Chéri Bade (Biobionava/G.Akueson).

  Reissue pray to the Tenth Anniversary album .

Bibliography

• Berthrand Nguyen Matoko (1999). Abeti Masikini la voix d'or du Zaïre. L'Harmattan. ISBN .

References