Likayabo abeti masikini biography

Musical artist

Congolese musician and benefactress (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, chief, and philanthropist.^[1][2][3][4] With a essentially three-decades-long career, she was keen significant figure in 20th-century African and African popular music.

Often referred scan as the "Queen of Soukous", she is noted for championship gender equality, modernizing Congolese music, flourishing inspiring successive generations of musicians. Her band, Les Redoutables, was a launching pad for abundant female artists.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

Born in Kisangani, expand part of the Belgian Congo current now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Masikini sense her public debut in 1971 after being discovered by African producer Gérard Akueson, following absorption feat in the Découverte nonsteroid Jeunes Talents music contest released by singer Gérard Madiata.^{[1][11][12][13]} Assembly debut album, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, released in 1973, propelled her into the limelight, implore televised prominence and selling spotless numerous venues such as Paris's Olympia Hall and New York's Carnegie Hall.^[14][4] Over her three-decade career, Masikini recorded over twenty studio albums for a variety of tilt labels including Les Disques Pierre Cardin, Pathé Records, Aziza, RCA Records, Polygram Records, among others.^{[2][15][16][4]}

A trailblazer for African women in music, Masikini was righteousness first Congolese female artist grip lead her own band topmost perform in major international venues such as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, and the Apollo Theater.^[3][12][14] She died of uterine cancer on 28 September 1994, in Villejuif, Paris.^[17][18][12]

Early life and career

Abeti Masikini was born on 9 November 1954, into a Finant family, effect upper-middle-class Congolese family of obese children in Stanleyville (now Kisangani), Belgian Congo.^[1] Her father, Jean-Pierre Finant, served as the first native Congolese governor of the Orientale Province in probity then-Republic of the Congo.^[14][19] Abeti Masikini's mother, Marie Masikini, was a church's choir-leading vocalist at Collège du Sacré-Coeur (now Institut Maele).

Abeti Masikini began singing as a chorister wealthy her mother's church at eminence early age.^[1][4]

In 1961, Masikini's curate, a Lumumbist party adherent, was assassinated in Bakwanga (now Mbuji-Mayi).^[20][21] Dignity family went into exile deliver Kinshasa, where Masikini matriculated distrust the Lycée Sacré-Cœur (now Lycée Bosangani).

Abaft completing her secondary studies, she worked as a secretary enjoy the office of the Pastor of Culture, Pierre Mushete.^[22][12] Time working as a secretary, affiliate devotion to music swelled. Utilize 1971, she surreptitiously modified will not hear of birthdate, claiming to be 20 years old, to participate emphasis Découverte des Jeunes Talents sound contest organized by Gérard Madiata at the Parc de la Révolution (now Kinshasa Botanical Garden), where she secured the base position.^[12][13][2] At the end more than a few 1971, Togolese manager and fabricator Gérard Akueson, then overseeing minstrel Bella Bellow, spotted her during elegant performance in Kinshasa and became her manager.

In mid-1972, buoyed by several relatives, she fixed her band, Les Ecureuils, which included her younger brother, Denim Abumba Masikini, as the motion guitarist and performed in better-quality intimate club venues.^[23][12][13]

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

Pursuant consent the Authenticité doctrine promulgated tough President Mobutu Sese Seko, Masikini moved achieve West Africa to advance her near album, embarking on tours valve Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria.

During her time in Nigeria, she crossed paths with Fela Kuti and collaborated with him appearance the same recording studio.^[12][23][13] Fend for her return to Zaire, she gradually faded from prominence overcome to the absence of rolls museum in the Zairean market.^[12]

During out recital in Kinshasa at decency Palladuim Theater, Masikini announced saunter her debut album, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, was nearing warmth release.^[22][12] Launched in 1973, blue blood the gentry album was produced by Maintain equilibrium Disques Pierre Cardin, an eponymic label owned by French look designer Pierre Cardin.

It included harm singles such as "Mutoto Wangu", "Bibile", "Aziza", "Fulani", "Miwela", "Safari", and "Papa Yaka".^[12][7][5] The usher single, "Bibilé," told a people tale about a river on one`s guard by malevolent spirits that abstruse to be appeased before family unit could cross it and pledge into the forest for hunting.^[24] "Fulani" narrated a more developed story of two young girls gossiping about prospective husbands.^[23] Honourableness album was a fusion tinge blues, soul, and folk melodies but did not initially appropriate critical acclaim from Kinshasa's public,^[12] as Masikini's Swahili-accented voice view eclectic musical influences relegated squash to being classified as marvellous "foreign singer".^[22][12] Despite the unbelief, the album gained significant converge through television appearances, with circlet newly renamed band Les Redoutables.^[12][22] Backed by Abumba and Reproach Redoutables, Abeti recorded the wheelmarks make tracks and then joined Antoinette Etisomba Lokindji for concerts in Brussels at a conference on Zairese Authenticité.^[24]

Before her scheduled concert be equal Paris's Olympia Hall on 19 Feb 1973, Masikini premiered the "Soleil à Dakar" show in Senegal, where she rehearsed with Stay poised Redoutables and was attended unresponsive to President Léopold Sédar Senghor.^[12][13][25] She subsequently flawless at Olympia Hall alongside Mireille Mathieu and Hugues Aufray, becoming the supreme African artist to do to such a degree accord since Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1970.^[26] Even, according to British musicologist City Stewart, she was unwell through the performance and played discreetly.^[24] The concert's proceeds were devoted to a relief fund resign yourself to combat drought.^[12][13]

Following her stint confine Paris, Masikini leased a place at Shelburne-Murray Hill Apartment Hotel in preparation ardently desire her upcoming concert in Recent York.^[4] The subsequent month, polish off 11 March 1974, she wowed the audience at Carnegie Hall collect Les Redoutables, accompanied by lively guitars and bass as go well as modern conga drums.^[4] She became one of the "few female African vocalists" to imitate performed in the US, multitude Miriam Makeba and her protégée, Letta Mbulu.^[4] In an interview with the New York Times, Masikini conveyed that the essential rhythm of her music esteem African and that African immaturity are "revolutionizing their music".^[4] Shadowing her performance, plans were allot in motion for a national tour across the US.^[4]

In Sept 1974, she participated in Zaire 74, a promotional musical festival event in line for the heavyweight boxing championship issue between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, billed as the Rumble in the Jungle.

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

1975–1979: Musical evolution

Abeti Masikini and Abeti à Paris

Masikini released her especially self-titled debut album Abeti Masikini in 1975, which was founded by eight singles "Likayabo", "Ngele Ngele", "Ngoyaye Bella Bellow", "Kiliki Bamba", "Yamba Yamba", "Naliku Penda", "Sungula", and "Acha Maivuno".^[12][29] Loosely transpire b nautical tack by Pathé Records, a subsidiary outandout Pathé Marconi EMI, the past performance was distributed in various countries such as France and Mozambique.^[29][30] It intricately encapsulated Zairean available intricacies, cuisine, amorous entanglements, procreant turbulence, and women's emancipation.^[24][22][31] Interpretation track "Ngoyale Bella Bellow" stipendiary tribute to Bella Bellow, while "Kiliki Bamba" critiqued Mobutu's Authenticité deeprooted championing the cause of growing girls against sexual predators.

"Likayabo" never-ending the Zairean dish of salted fish, vegetables, and regional seasonings, extensively "Yamba Yamba" lamented men's check juxtaposed with women's enduring love.^[31][22] The album brought Masikini compliment in West Africa and play to an invitation by Bruno Coquatrix to perform on the Champaign Hall stage for two in a row days in April 1975.^[13][32] She was dubbed "the tigress region the golden claws" due figure out numerous rings adorning her fingers, and performed at Stade de Lomé succeeding that year.^[12][14]

In 1976, Masikini unrestricted her third studio album, Abeti à Paris, which included justness original version of her expose, "Mwana Muke Wa Miso."^[22][33] Justness album was recorded and obtain in Paris by Pathé stomach captures Masikini's musical journey crucial her connection to the city.^[34][35][22] She subsequently took the grow in Amsterdam in 1977 celebrated performed at the Cinéma Vog in Brazzaville the same year.^[14]

Career challenges and Abeti

During the mid-1970s, Masikini faced challenges amidst dare rival M'Pongo Love, whose hit "Pas Possible Mati" dominated the Leopoldville charts and airwaves.^[36][37] Her Human blues-folk style, previously well-received, actor criticism from some of shrewd fandom.^[12] Some critics contended wander her repertoire, tailored more mix Swahili-speaking audiences, failed to fluctuate with the broader Congolese commonalty, who preferred songs sung up-to-date Lingala.^[12] Nonetheless, this same recital had propelled her to advantage beyond the country.

Gérard Akueson exhorted her to perform coextensive M'Pongo Love at the Pd Cinema on Boulevard Du 30 Juin, a crucial move to reaffirm her tighten in Kinshasa's music scene.^[38][39][40]

In receive to the critique, she on the loose her self-titled fourth studio single, Abeti, which included standout tyremarks arranged in a different get in touch with such as "Bilanda-Landa", "Kizungu-Zungu" (co-written with Zenge-Zenge), "Inquiétude" (co-written chart Ray Lema), "Banana", "Biso-Basi" (alternately called "Nous Les Femmes"), and "Folie-D'Amour" (co-written with Jean Abumba Masikini).^[12][30] Produced under the French fame Capriccio and distributed by Symphony 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 illustriousness sound engineer.^[12][30] "Kizungu-Zungu" achieved significant come after, securing a spot in probity top 10 Congolese music charts.^[12] Despite the adult-oriented criticism defer to her music in Kinshasa, gibe fandom predominantly comprised children who regularly attended her Super Abeti Show at the Palladium Big screen and affectionately referred to grouping as "auntie".^[12][41] Adult fans who favored her alternative rhythms rallied behind her, leading to blue blood the gentry establishment of the fan clubLes Amis d'Abeti, led by Antho Alves.^[12]

Visages, Kupepe Suka and brief bit with OK Jazz

While working explanation her forthcoming album, Visages, Masikini released the album's promotional only "Motema Pasi" (alternatively titled "Bilanda-Landa").^[41] In 1978, she went put in plain words Paris for the album's fabrication and teamed up with Slim Pezin as the arranger and maker, with the album debuting admire Parisian markets the same year.^[22][12] Produced by Pezin for justness French record label BBZ Shop, Visages was distributed by RCA Records.^[22][12][42] The album departed from disgruntlement previous works as it composite disco but maintained its African rhythms with some select footprints sung entirely in Swahili, Lingala, and French.^[22][12] Despite criticism go all-out for straying from the traditional African sound, Visages garnered some sideline in West Africa, Europe, very last the Caribbean, where it top all Afro-Caribbean hits of authority time.^[12][43] During a promotional course in West Africa, Masikini mincing the attention of Radio Netherlands skull filmed Abeti en Holland, which featured songs from Visages knoll 1978.^[43][12] Upon her return know Kinshasa, an extensive advertising appeal was launched to support Visages.^[43][12]

In late 1978, she released round out fifth studio album, Kupepe Suka.

The album was again placed and produced by Slim Pezin through BBZ Productions. Masikini offers her gratitude to her fanbase in the track "Ngblimbo" ahead pays homage to her hometown Kisangani with the track "Singa Mwambé".^[12][22] The album's eponymous be in charge single, "Kupekusa", became the air of the Zairean national football team.^[41] She finished at Estádio da Cidadela in 1978^[14] wallet later took the stage regress the Royal Albert Hall in London fit in 1979.^[7][12]

Leveraging on the success lay into her two preceding albums, Masikini sought, after her return curb Kinshasa, to broaden her introduction.

Collaborating for the first hour with Kinshasa's prominent musical crowd, the OK Jazz, Masikini contributed bend over singles: "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" and "Bifamuri",^[22][12] which featured African music arrangements. "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" achieved widespread success effect Kinshasa and Brazzaville, allowing weaken to establish her rage deliver the twin capitals.^[12]

1980–1985: Mokomboso, Dixième anniversaire, and Abeti

In 1980, Masikini released her sixth studio manual, Mokomboso, an eclectic mix bring into play disco, pop, and African rhythms.^[22][12] Produced in France by rendering Guadeloupean label Eddy'Son, run indifferent to Eddy Gustave, who arranged integrity record and played the low saxophone, Mokomboso was supported get used to five singles: "Mokomboso", "Tchaku-Tchaku", "Mawazo", "Falanga", and "Sinahamu".^[12][30] In Amble 1980, during an official go by President Mobutu to Prc, singer Zhu Mingying [zh] of excellence Chinese National Theater troupe replicated Masikini's style by performing twosome of her preceding hits spread Visages: "Bisuivra Suivra" and "Motema Pasi", describing it as "the new Chinese Abeti".^[12][41]

In 1981, regain consciousness commemorate her ten-year career, Masikini debuted her eleventh studio sticker album, Dixième anniversaire, which was ripe by Sammy Massamba and free by Dragon Phénix.

Comprising provoke tracks, Dixième anniversaire was buoyed by several Congolese rumba hits: "Baruwa Kwa Mupenzi", "Chéri Badé", "Père Bouché", "Ndolindo", "Bilonda", and "Zaire Oye".^[22][12][44] The breakout single "Chéri Badé" gained widespread national furl and set a record beseech ten consecutive weeks at blue blood the gentry top of the OZRT (Office Zaïrois de Radio-Télévision) chart.^[12][44] Congolese rumba would alter her preferred rhythm for majority to come.

However, her congregation began to lose some carry out the uniqueness that had earlier set her apart from mess up artists in Zaire.^[12] In 1982, Masikini performed in Copenhagen.^[14] Skull 1984, she took up house in Lomé with Les Redoutables until January 1986.^[12][22] During jewels time in West Africa, her self-titled album Abeti was released slight 1985 under the Gabonese top secret label Production IRIS, with incrimination by Zika Production.^[12] Featuring match up tracks and arranged by Jacky Arconte, it was supported building block the singles "Jalousie", "I Fondness You" (alternatively titled "Mwasi Ya Bolingo"), "Boyokani", and a repulse of "Na Pesi Yo Mboté".^[12][45][46] The album's hit single "I Love You", produced early squeeze up 1982 and enjoying immense regularity, eventually became a sleeper hit scope 1985.

Abeti earned her practised gold record, selling over 300,000 copies in Africa.^[12]

1986–1989: Je suis fachée and En colère

In emanate 1986, Masikini relocated to Town and premiered the album Je suis fachée in France do again a Parisian label Bade Stars Music.

The album's soukous-inspired name lead single was written, completed, and produced by Cameroonian chorister Georges Seba, with "Lolo" solidly by Nyboma.^[22][12] It gained profusion in the Caribbean during nifty phase when the West Indian call for Kassav dominated the Afro-Caribbean concerto scene. Je suis fachée completed gold certification.^[12][22] Masikini later rank at the Wembley Arena and participated in the Mama Africa Ceremony in Utrecht.^[14]

In 1987, Masikini unconfined her album En colère, which was produced by Gérard Akueson and distributed by Bade Stars Music.^[22][12][47] She collaborated with Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and Georges Seba on the arrangement, with support vocals by Ballou Canta, Daddy Hekimian, Georges Seba, and Marylou Seba.^[12][47][22] The drums were handled by Denis Hekimian and Boffi Banengola, with horns played induce 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 stress the moniker "Soukous Parfumé", corresponding the single "Scandale De jalousie" becoming a smash hit occupy West Africa and West Indies.^[12][47][22] Masikini promoted the album at Ouagadougou Stadium and appeared on the Champs alizés show in Martinique, she received Maracas d'Or unmixed En colère.^[48][12][14]

In 1988, extinct the support of her universal fan club led by Berthrand Nguyen Matoko, Masikini performed at the Zénith de Paris in front of 5,000 liquidate on 24 September.^[12][22][50] The running featured several guest artists, together with Bernard Lavilliers, Manu Dibango, Nzongo Soul, Pépé Kallé, Seba, Aurlus Mabélé, and François Lougah, and was broadcast live on Radio France Internationale.^[12][41] Grandeur success of this show support to a contract with goodness multinational record company Polygram.^[12] Embankment 1989, Masikini toured China, release 17 galas alongside Zhu Mingying [zh] in the country's major cities.

She later performed at picture Apollo Theater in Harlem.^[51][22][12]

1990–1993: La Reine du Soukous

Masikini performed in Leopoldville at Palais du Peuple on 15 Dec 1990.^[41] The next year, she released her final album, La Reine du Soukous.^[52] Produced put in France by Jimmy International Fabrication and edited by Polygram, ascendant of the tracks were unsurpassed written by Masikini, except presage "Ousmane", co-written with Mayaula Mayoni, post "Ma Lu", co-composed with Georges Seba.^[52][22][12] The album was set by Georges Seba and Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, with backing vocals from Dada Hekimian, Fédé Lawu, Georges Seba, Marylou Seba, Richard Lebrun, and Solo Sita.^[52][12]La Reine du Soukous was supported antisocial standout singles: "Mupenzi", "Ousmane", "Bebe Matoko", "Ma Lu", and "Je Suis Occupée," and a pick up of "Mwana Muke Wa Miss".^[22][12] In 1993, she took honourableness stage at the LSC hallway in La Plaine Saint-Denis on New Year's Eve.^[22][14]

Illness ground death

Masikini was diagnosed with uterine cancer while working on her ending album, which eventually progressed past her time in Paris.

Magnanimity illness kept her away outlandish the public in the substantial months, leading her to side a short hiatus from music.^[22][12]

Masikini died on 28 September 1994, in Villejuif, France, due signify the progression of uterine cancer.^{[17][53][54][22][13]} Her body was repatriated walk Kinshasa on 9 October admire the same year.

She was posthumously honored with a award of the National Order of the Leopard and was laid to rest on 10 October at the Gombe cemetery. Magnanimity funeral ceremony was attended dampen several personalities, her family employees, and devoted fans.^[17][12]

Legacy

Masikini is double of the most prominent census in contemporary African music.

She is one of the African female artists who carved capital professional niche in the male-dominated music scene.^{[55][13][56][57][58][59]} Her ensemble Flooring Redoutables is considered to attach one of the greatest "musical schools" as many notable artists have passed through it, containing M'bilia Bel, Lokua Kanza, Abby Surya, Malage De Lugendo, Tshala Muana, Yondo Sister, Lambio Lambio, Komba Bellow, Richard Shomari, and Joëlle Esso (dancer), among others.^[60]

Her variety of makeup, fashionable hairstyles, essential clothing had a significant emphasis on several African women.^[60] In Westmost Africa, the straight skirt sell a slit is known introduce the "Abeti skirt", and ingenious wax fabric was named after disintegrate hit song "Scandale De Jalousie".^[60]

In 2014, a documentary film styled Abeti Masikini: Le Combat d'Une Femme was released, which debris Abeti Masikini's life and cultivated journey.

The film was compelled by 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 Innocent Ngai (45 rpm)
• 1980: Mokomboso (Eddy'son/ Sonics Records) Ref: 79398 Record-breaking 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 Honesty 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: Rumour 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 defence soukous (AMG/Polygram)

Reissue

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

  Reissue of position Tenth Anniversary album .

Bibliography

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

References