Abeti masikini biography template

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, the man, and philanthropist.^[1][2][3][4] With a about three-decades-long career, she was spick significant figure in 20th-century African and African popular music.

Generally referred to as the "Queen of Soukous", she is well-known for advocating gender equality, modernizing Congolese music, and inspiring 1 generations of musicians. Her knot, Les Redoutables, was a actuation pad for numerous female artists.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

Born in Kisangani, then part give a miss the Belgian Congo and momentous the Democratic Republic of picture Congo, Masikini made her leak out debut in 1971 after core discovered by Togolese producer Gérard Akueson, following her feat acquire the Découverte des Jeunes Talents music contest organized by crooner Gérard Madiata.^{[1][11][12][13]} Her debut stamp album, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, on the rampage in 1973, propelled her have some bearing on the limelight, earning televised convexity and selling out numerous venues such as Paris's Olympia Foyer and New York's Carnegie Hall.^[14][4] Over her three-decade career, Masikini recorded over twenty studio albums for a variety of snap labels including Les Disques Pierre Cardin, Pathé Records, Aziza, RCA Records, Polygram Records, among others.^{[2][15][16][4]}

A trailblazer for African women enjoy music, Masikini was the labour Congolese female artist to middle her own band and advert in major international venues specified as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, and significance Apollo Theater.^[3][12][14] She died holiday uterine cancer on 28 Sep 1994, in Villejuif, Paris.^[17][18][12]

Early sure of yourself and career

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

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

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

Rearguard completing her secondary studies, she worked as a secretary dilemma the office of the Evangelist of Culture, Pierre Mushete.^[22][12] Long-standing working as a secretary, socialize devotion to music swelled. Limit 1971, she surreptitiously modified torment birthdate, claiming to be 20 years old, to participate slip in Découverte des Jeunes Talents song contest organized by Gérard Madiata at the Parc de arctic Révolution (now Kinshasa Botanical Garden), where she secured the gear position.^[12][13][2] At the end slant 1971, Togolese manager and processor Gérard Akueson, then overseeing vocalist Bella Bellow, spotted her at hand a performance in Kinshasa illustrious became her manager.

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

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

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

During her time impossible to differentiate Nigeria, she crossed paths channel of communication Fela Kuti and collaborated adhere to him in the same album studio.^[12][23][13] After her return figure up Zaire, she gradually faded overrun prominence due to the lack of records in the Zairese market.^[12]

During a recital in Leopoldville at the Palladuim Theater, Masikini announced that her debut stamp album, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, was nearing its release.^[22][12] Launched teensy weensy 1973, the album was procure by Les Disques Pierre Cardin, an eponymous label owned impervious to French fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

It included hit singles specified as "Mutoto Wangu", "Bibile", "Aziza", "Fulani", "Miwela", "Safari", and "Papa Yaka".^[12][7][5] The lead single, "Bibilé," told a folk tale go up in price a river guarded by cruel spirits that had to carve appeased before people could chance on it and venture into influence forest for hunting.^[24] "Fulani" narrated a more urbanized story hillock two young girls gossiping feel about prospective husbands.^[23] The album was a fusion of blues, force, and folk melodies but blunt not initially receive critical accolade from Kinshasa's public,^[12] as Masikini's Swahili-accented voice and eclectic euphonic influences relegated her to actuality classified as a "foreign singer".^[22][12] Despite the skepticism, the volume gained significant attention through throw one\'s arms about appearances, with her newly renamed band Les Redoutables.^[12][22] Backed invitation Abumba and Les Redoutables, Abeti recorded the tracks and accordingly joined Antoinette Etisomba Lokindji represent concerts in Brussels at clean conference on Zairean Authenticité.^[24]

Before out scheduled concert at Paris's Champaign Hall on 19 February 1973, Masikini premiered the "Soleil à Dakar" show in Senegal, vicinity she rehearsed with Les Redoutables and was attended by Number one Léopold Sédar Senghor.^[12][13][25] She hence performed at Olympia Hall conjoin Mireille Mathieu and Hugues Aufray, becoming the first African graphic designer to do so since Cruddy Ley Rochereau in 1970.^[26] Still, according to British musicologist Metropolis Stewart, she was unwell near the performance and played discreetly.^[24] The concert's proceeds were firm to a relief fund abrupt combat drought.^[12][13]

Following her stint assume Paris, Masikini leased a apartment at Shelburne-Murray Hill Apartment Bed in preparation for her free concert in New York.^[4] Integrity subsequent month, on 11 Parade 1974, she wowed the consultation at Carnegie Hall with Insubordination Redoutables, accompanied by electric guitars and bass as well in the same way modern conga drums.^[4] She became one of the "few tender African vocalists" to have conclude in the US, following Miriam Makeba and her protégée, Letta Mbulu.^[4] In an interview zone the New York Times, Masikini conveyed that the fundamental movement of her music is Mortal and that African youth corroborate "revolutionizing their music".^[4] Following back up performance, plans were set plug motion for a nationwide outing across the US.^[4]

In September 1974, she participated in Zaire 74, a promotional musical festival good thing for the heavyweight boxing backing match between Muhammad Ali gift George Foreman, billed as description Rumble in the Jungle.

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

1975–1979: Musical evolution

Abeti Masikini and Abeti à Paris

Masikini released her second self-titled launching album Abeti Masikini in 1975, which was supported by tubby singles "Likayabo", "Ngele Ngele", "Ngoyaye Bella Bellow", "Kiliki Bamba", "Yamba Yamba", "Naliku Penda", "Sungula", add-on "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] Overflow intricately encapsulated Zairean societal intricacies, cuisine, amorous entanglements, sexual turmoil, and women's emancipation.^[24][22][31] The follow "Ngoyale Bella Bellow" paid share out to Bella Bellow, while "Kiliki Bamba" critiqued Mobutu's Authenticité length championing the cause of youthful girls against sexual predators.

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

In 1976, Masikini free her third studio album, Abeti à Paris, which included justness original version of her at a bargain price a fuss, "Mwana Muke Wa Miso."^[22][33] Representation album was recorded and finish in the money b be in Paris by Pathé playing field captures Masikini's musical journey plus her connection to the city.^[34][35][22] She subsequently took the lay it on thick in Amsterdam in 1977 unacceptable performed at the Cinéma Vog in Brazzaville the same year.^[14]

Career challenges and Abeti

During the mid-1970s, Masikini faced challenges amidst resolve rival M'Pongo Love, whose slip "Pas Possible Mati" dominated class Kinshasa charts and airwaves.^[36][37] In exchange African blues-folk style, previously renowned, drew criticism from some stencil her fandom.^[12] Some critics debatable that her repertoire, tailored a cut above for Swahili-speaking audiences, failed accept resonate with the broader African populace, who preferred songs song in Lingala.^[12] Nonetheless, this amount to repertoire had propelled her spoil success beyond the country.

Gérard Akueson exhorted her to honour alongside M'Pongo Love at magnanimity Palladium Cinema on Boulevard Armour 30 Juin, a strategic proceed to reaffirm her place unsavory Kinshasa's music scene.^[38][39][40]

In response conformity the critique, she released added self-titled fourth studio album, Abeti, which included standout tracks in readiness in a different style much as "Bilanda-Landa", "Kizungu-Zungu" (co-written territory Zenge-Zenge), "Inquiétude" (co-written with Lie to Lema), "Banana", "Biso-Basi" (alternately elite "Nous Les Femmes"), and "Folie-D'Amour" (co-written with Jean Abumba Masikini).^[12][30] Produced under the French earmark Capriccio and distributed by Sonata Control S.A.R.L.,^[12][30] the album featured a distinguished lineup of 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, securing excellent spot in the top 10 Congolese music charts.^[12] Despite nobility adult-oriented criticism of her sound in Kinshasa, her fandom extensively comprised children who regularly loaded with her Super Abeti Show suspicious the Palladium Cinema and warmly fully referred to her as "auntie".^[12][41] Adult fans who favored will not hear of alternative rhythms rallied behind frequent, leading to the establishment pencil in the fan clubLes Amis d'Abeti, led by Antho Alves.^[12]

Visages, Kupepe Suka and brief stint colleague OK Jazz

While working on cobble together forthcoming album, Visages, Masikini unconfined the album's promotional single "Motema Pasi" (alternatively titled "Bilanda-Landa").^[41] Deceive 1978, she went to Town for the album's production dowel teamed up with Slim Pezin as the arranger and maker, with the album debuting dependably Parisian markets the same year.^[22][12] Produced by Pezin for loftiness French record label BBZ Plant, Visages was distributed by RCA Records.^[22][12][42] The album departed let alone her previous works as unsuitable incorporated disco but maintained tight Congolese rhythms with some choose tracks sung entirely in Bantu, Lingala, and French.^[22][12] Despite analysis for straying from the arranged Congolese sound, Visages garnered a number of recognition in West Africa, Assemblage, and the Caribbean, where score topped all Afro-Caribbean hits appropriate the time.^[12][43] During a promotional tour in West Africa, Masikini seized the attention of Wireless Netherlands and filmed Abeti medical condition Holland, which featured songs munch through Visages in 1978.^[43][12] Upon other half return to Kinshasa, an put the finishing touches to advertising campaign was launched extinguish support Visages.^[43][12]

In late 1978, she released her fifth studio publication, Kupepe Suka.

The album was again arranged and produced beside Slim Pezin through BBZ Shop. Masikini offers her gratitude take on her fanbase in the sign "Ngblimbo" and pays homage principle her hometown Kisangani with decency track "Singa Mwambé".^[12][22] The album's eponymous lead single, "Kupekusa", became the anthem of the Zairese national football team.^[41] She crown at Estádio da Cidadela expect 1978^[14] and later took primacy stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1979.^[7][12]

Leveraging on the success of restlessness two preceding albums, Masikini necessary, after her return to Leopoldville, to broaden her audience.

Collaborating for the first time learn Kinshasa's prominent musical band, illustriousness OK Jazz, Masikini contributed bend in half singles: "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" and "Bifamuri",^[22][12] which featured African music arrangements. "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" achieved widespread success bayou Kinshasa and Brazzaville, allowing bare to establish her rage examination the twin capitals.^[12]

1980–1985: Mokomboso, Dixième anniversaire, and Abeti

In 1980, Masikini released her sixth studio volume, Mokomboso, an eclectic mix model disco, pop, and African rhythms.^[22][12] Produced in France by representation Guadeloupean label Eddy'Son, run saturate Eddy Gustave, who arranged picture record and played the low saxophone, Mokomboso was supported outstrip five singles: "Mokomboso", "Tchaku-Tchaku", "Mawazo", "Falanga", and "Sinahamu".^[12][30] In Walk 1980, during an official take back by President Mobutu to Significant other, singer Zhu Mingying [zh] of ethics Chinese National Theater troupe replicated Masikini's style by performing several of her preceding hits foreigner Visages: "Bisuivra Suivra" and "Motema Pasi", describing it as "the new Chinese Abeti".^[12][41]

In 1981, pay homage to commemorate her ten-year career, Masikini debuted her eleventh studio scrap book, Dixième anniversaire, which was congealed by Sammy Massamba and out by Dragon Phénix.

Comprising appal tracks, Dixième anniversaire was buoyed by several Congolese rumba hits: "Baruwa Kwa Mupenzi", "Chéri Badé", "Père Bouché", "Ndolindo", "Bilonda", tolerate "Zaire Oye".^[22][12][44] The breakout celibate "Chéri Badé" gained widespread ceremonial recognition and set a copy for ten consecutive weeks recoil the top of the OZRT (Office Zaïrois de Radio-Télévision) chart.^[12][44] Congolese rumba would become in sync preferred rhythm for years nigh come.

However, her music began to lose some of probity uniqueness that had previously riot her apart from other artists in Zaire.^[12] In 1982, Masikini performed in Copenhagen.^[14] In 1984, she took up residence family unit Lomé with Les Redoutables January 1986.^[12][22] During her intention in West Africa, her self-titled album Abeti was released acquit yourself 1985 under the Gabonese write label Production IRIS, with delegation by Zika Production.^[12] Featuring quaternity tracks and arranged by Jacky Arconte, it was supported fail to see the singles "Jalousie", "I Attraction You" (alternatively titled "Mwasi Ya Bolingo"), "Boyokani", and a kind of "Na Pesi Yo Mboté".^[12][45][46] The album's hit single "I Love You", produced early handset 1982 and enjoying immense frequency, eventually became a sleeper sell more cheaply in 1985.

Abeti earned give someone the brush-off a gold record, selling rearrange 300,000 copies in Africa.^[12]

1986–1989: Je suis fachée and En colère

In spring 1986, Masikini relocated have got to Paris and premiered the sticker album Je suis fachée in Writer through a Parisian label Bade Stars Music.

The album's soukous-inspired eponymous lead single was turgid, arranged, and produced by African singer Georges Seba, with "Lolo" composed by Nyboma.^[22][12] It gained popularity in the Caribbean extensive a phase when the Westernmost Indian band Kassav dominated goodness Afro-Caribbean music scene.

Je suis fachée attained gold certification.^[12][22] Masikini later performed at the Wembley Arena and participated in nobility Mama Africa Festival in Utrecht.^[14]

In 1987, Masikini released her baby book En colère, which was chance upon by Gérard Akueson and lay by Bade Stars Music.^[22][12][47] She collaborated with Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and Georges Seba on high-mindedness arrangement, with backing vocals vulgar Ballou Canta, Dada Hekimian, Georges Seba, and Marylou Seba.^[12][47][22] Probity drums were handled by Denis Hekimian and Boffi Banengola, look into horns played by Eric Giausserand, Jacques Bolognesi, and Alain Hatot, bass by Michel Alibo, intellect by Philippe Guez, and niggardly by Sam Ateba and Komba Bellow.^[12][47]En colère's success earned repel the moniker "Soukous Parfumé", truthful the single "Scandale De jalousie" becoming a smash hit attach West Africa and West Indies.^[12][47][22] Masikini promoted the album belittling Ouagadougou Stadium and appeared truth the Champs alizés show be sure about Martinique, where she received Maracas d'Or for En colère.^[48][12][14]

In 1988, collect the support of her universal fan club led by Berthrand Nguyen Matoko, Masikini performed uncertain the Zénith de Paris contact front of 5,000 people mandate 24 September.^[12][22][50] The performance featured several guest artists, including Physiologist Lavilliers, Manu Dibango, Nzongo Key, Pépé Kallé, Seba, Aurlus Mabélé, and François Lougah, and was broadcast live on Radio Writer Internationale.^[12][41] The success of that show led to a interest with the multinational record bevy Polygram.^[12] In 1989, Masikini toured China, delivering 17 galas parallel Zhu Mingying [zh] in the country's major cities.

She later unmitigated at the Apollo Theater weighty Harlem.^[51][22][12]

1990–1993: La Reine du Soukous

Masikini performed in Kinshasa at Palais du Peuple on 15 Dec 1990.^[41] The next year, she released her final album, La Reine du Soukous.^[52] Produced contain France by Jimmy International Origination and edited by Polygram, chief of the tracks were exclusively written by Masikini, except cart "Ousmane", co-written with Mayaula Mayoni, and "Ma Lu", co-composed channel of communication Georges Seba.^[52][22][12] The album was arranged by Georges Seba explode Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, with succour vocals from Dada Hekimian, Fédé Lawu, Georges Seba, Marylou Seba, Richard Lebrun, and Solo Sita.^[52][12]La Reine du Soukous was founded by standout singles: "Mupenzi", "Ousmane", "Bebe Matoko", "Ma Lu", contemporary "Je Suis Occupée," and spick cover of "Mwana Muke Wa Miss".^[22][12] In 1993, she took the stage at the LSC hall in La Plaine Saint-Denis on New Year's Eve.^[22][14]

Illness stake death

Masikini was diagnosed with uterine cancer while working on lead final album, which eventually progressed during her time in Town.

The illness kept her retreat from the public in dignity subsequent months, leading her look up to take a short hiatus spread music.^[22][12]

Masikini died on 28 Sep 1994, in Villejuif, France, birthright to the progression of uterine cancer.^{[17][53][54][22][13]} Her body was repatriated to Kinshasa on 9 Oct of the same year.

She was posthumously honored with orderly medal of the National Disrupt of the Leopard and was laid to rest on 10 October at the Gombe burial ground. The funeral ceremony was stressful by several personalities, her kindred members, and devoted fans.^[17][12]

Legacy

Masikini shambles one of the most outstanding figures in contemporary African penalty.

She is one of interpretation Congolese female artists who etched a professional niche in position male-dominated music scene.^{[55][13][56][57][58][59]} Her gear Les Redoutables is considered envision be one of the chief "musical schools" as many rigid artists have passed through set out, including M'bilia Bel, Lokua Kanza, Abby Surya, Malage De Lugendo, Tshala Muana, Yondo Sister, Lambio Lambio, Komba Bellow, Richard Shomari, and Joëlle Esso (dancer), mid others.^[60]

Her style of makeup, stylish hairstyles, and clothing had uncluttered significant influence on several Mortal women.^[60] In West Africa, excellence straight skirt with a lacerated is known as the "Abeti skirt", and a wax paper handkerchief was named after her crash into song "Scandale De Jalousie".^[60]

In 2014, a documentary film titled Abeti Masikini: Le Combat d'Une Femme was released, which traces Abeti Masikini's life and artistic trip.

The film was directed spawn Laura Kutila and Ne 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 Straightforward Ngai (45 rpm)
• 1980: Mokomboso (Eddy'son/ Sonics Records) Ref: 79398 Memorial 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 Record Industry) Ref:IAD/S 0015
• 1984: Abeti & Eyenga Moseka: The Duo Of Depiction Century (IAD/ African Record Industry) Ref: IAD/S 0016
• 1985: Ba Mauvais Copiste (Win Records/Africa New Sound/Tabansi) Ref: WNL 403, ANS 8402
• 1985: Samoura (Bade Stars Music) Ref: AM 030
• 1986: Je suis fachée (Bade Stars Music) Ref: Fling 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 telly soukous (AMG/Polygram)

Reissue

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

  Reissue of loftiness Tenth Anniversary album .

Bibliography

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

References