Félix Wazekwa

Félix Nlandu Wazekwa (born 14 September 1962) is a Congolese singer-songwriter, author, filmmaker, dancer, and bandleader. Known for his Lingala deep lyrics and baritone voice, he is regarded as an influential figure in soukous and Congolese rumba music and one of the most prominent lyricists of his generation. In 1995, he released his debut solo studio album, Tétragramme. His third studio album, Bonjour Monsieur, published in November 1998, became a significant success throughout Africa and won him the ACMCO Revelation of the Year award. In 1999, Wazekwa released his fourth studio album, Sponsor, followed by Signature and Yo Nani? (2002). and I Love You, which came out in January 2015.

Wazekwa gained widespread recognition with his breakout ndombolo-infused single, "Fimbu", which debuted in September 2015 in support of the Congolese national football team, nicknamed Les Léopards. It gained significant popularity during the run-up to the 2016 African Nations Championship and went on to become a sleeper hit in 2017 during the Africa Cup of Nations. The song also introduced the "Fimbu chicotte" dance, where players raised their right hand, snapped it down like a whip, kept their left arm stretched out, and moved together with short, matching steps across the field.

His book Les Petits Bonbons de la Sagesse was published by Éditions Bergame on 10 January 2018.

Early life and career

1962–1995: Childhood, education and music debut Félix Nlandu Wazekwa was born on 14 September 1962 in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), then part of the Belgian Congo (later the Republic of the Congo, then Zaïre, and now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), to Félix Wazekwa Ndomingiedi, a trained architect, and Marie Luvuma. His father worked for the Ministry of Public Works and Land Planning, the World Bank, and the Office of Roads. He was also involved in business, belonged to the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Congo (Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises du Congo, COPEMECO), and led the "Construction and Buildings" group in Kinshasa. He later formed a traditional music band called SODEPA in Matete, where he was noted for his singing and dancing.

After graduating from high school with a French baccalaureate from the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa, Wazekwa pursued economics studies at Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis in 1985. After completing his studies, he returned to Kinshasa and began writing songs for several up-and-coming Zairean artists. His work soon seized the attention of Koffi Olomidé, who used many of Wazekwa's compositions in several albums released between 1991 and 1993, such as Haut De Gamme - Koweit, Rive Gauche, and Noblesse Oblige.

After working with Koffi Olomidé for a short time, Papa Wemba asked Wazekwa to help with songwriting. The next year, he worked again with Papa Wemba by contributing to the album Pôle Position. Tétragramme was released in December 1995 through the French label Sun Records and blended Congolese rumba and soukous. It was arranged by Wazekwa and Didier Milla and featured guest vocals from Luciana Demingongo, Madilu System, Nyboma Mwan'dido, Papa Wemba, Shimita, and Yakini Kiese, along with backing vocals by Abby Surya, Patricia Aubou, and Valérie Colau. Rhythm guitars were played by Caien Madoka, Lokassa Ya Mbongo, and Maïka Munan, bass guitars by Guy Nsangué, Ngouma Lokito, drums by Djudjuchet Luvengoka, percussions by Mavungu Malanda, and animated vocals by atalakus Awilo Longomba, Colombani Wa Senga, and Yakini Kiese. Tétragramme received positive reviews and earned Wazekwa the Best Revelation of the Year award from the Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo (ACMCO). The music arrangements were done by Sec Bidens, and both Wazekwa and Bidens played acoustic guitar. The album featured main vocal performances from Wazekwa, Bozi Boziana, Luciana Demingongo, and Tabu Ley Rochereau, with backing vocals from Awa Maïga, Bitou Kikinda, Luciana Demingongo, Nyboma, Raphaël Makondika, Shimita, Solo Sita, Valérie Belinga, and Wuta Mayi. The album was recorded at Studio Marcadet and produced by Cameroonian producer Jean-Pierre Saah, with Elvis Kemayo serving as executive producer. Members of Cultur'A Pays Vie based in Europe, including Deesse, Luciana, and Djanana, also took part in the project. Sponsor became an important step for the group, as it brought them more attention in the Congolese music world and led to performances in Africa and Europe. Before the album came out, he took part in a meeting of the Union des Musiciens du Congo at the Vévé-Center in Kinshasa, where a patriotic song was created. The album was recorded in Paris at Marcadet Studio, included twelve songs, and was distributed by JPS Production. Following their exclusion, the pair attempted to join Cultur'A Pays-Vie but received a lukewarm reception, as the band reportedly considered its lineup complete and hesitated to integrate members from a rival band. Around this period, he also faced a false rumor in Matete saying he had sacrificed a band member named Boss for fame. He denied this and said it was made up by envious rivals, stating that "Stones are only thrown at ripe fruit". He said he knew who spread the rumor but did not name them. Le Phare reported that the album dealt with life questions and social issues, and he had already started ten tracks, including "La ceinture avancée", "Le corps humain", and "Parfum de la femme". He held rehearsals at the Sodima area in Matete. In May 2002, he went on a tour in Paris with Cultur'A Pays-Vie while preparing Yo Nani? and secured a deal for a concert in Paris at LSC planned for 20 July. After that, he returned to Kinshasa to finalize the album. Some of the lyrics were seen as criticism of Koffi, He mentioned recent issues, including a planned Quartier Latin concert in Matete that was canceled after local resistance, and soon after, the owner of Somida Bar, which had been Cultur'A Pays-Vie's base, asked him to leave the place. These events were seen by many as planned actions linked to Koffi's side. The conflict grew stronger after Koffi released the album Effrakata in December 2001, which many believed contained veiled jabs at Wazekwa. At this point, Wazekwa spoke more openly about the rivalry and used it to reinforce his position in the music industry. It was produced across Africa and Europe by Cameroonian producer Edgar Yonkeu and Kiki Productions, run by Franco-Guinean producer Kiki Touré. The album attained notable success, especially with the hit dance track "Sautez Déjà", and the accompanying dance craze known as "nzoto ya mama elengi", meaning "the woman's body is welcoming".

2005–2010: from Faux Mutu Moko Boye to Mémoire ya Nzambe In December 2005, Wazekwa issued his eighth studio album, Faux Mutu Moko Boye, often abbreviated FMMB, through Kiki Productions. This feud became serious and led to both artists being banned from appearing on Congolese TV, radio, and newspapers, according to La Prospérité. The feud between the two sides caused concern in society, as Jordache Diala from La Prospérité said that these public disputes were damaging Congolese music by turning it into a platform for insults and polemics instead of artistic expression. The maxi-single was released in December under Foundation Wazekwa and supported by singles "La Chèvre de Monsieur Séguin", "Alex Mfumu Nsi", and "Dhedhe Mupasa Mot De Passe".

In an interview with Nico Kalambay on Radio Okapi on 8 June 2009, Wazekwa said his tenth album, Mémoire ya Nzambe, was almost finished. He then went to Paris to finalize its production, and the album was eventually released on 15 July 2010. It was produced by Kiki Touré under Kiki Productions and included 13 songs and featured Simaro Lutumba on the eponymous track. Mémoire ya Nzambe subtly taunts his former musicians who left Cultur'A Pays Vie.

2011–2019: from Haut Les Mains! to "La Chicotte des Léopards" In 2011, Wazekwa released his 10-track maxi-single titled Haut Les Mains! on compact disc and Digital Video Disc, but after its debut, Haut Les Mains! was pirated and broadcast clandestinely at Place de la Victoire, one of Kinshasa's primary venues.

Wazekwa began working on his 13-track twelfth studio album, I Love You, in early 2014 in Kinshasa. On 20 December, he released the lead single "Bouffez-Moi Tout Ça" in Paris. In the song, however, it refers to a festive dance called the "fimbu chicotte", in which dancers mimic gently whipping an opponent as part of a celebration, especially after scoring. In an interview with Radio Okapi, Wazekwa said the song was intended to speak against injustice and violence toward women. He added that offenders "deserve to be reprimanded", that the dance movements resemble "correcting a person with a sprain", and that this concept "could also apply to football". The "fimbu chicotte" dance spread across Africa in the lead-up to the 2016 African Nations Championship and later became a sleeper hit during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, when Les Léopards used it to celebrate goals.

On 1 April 2017, Wazekwa released the audio for "Debout Africains", a remixed version of "Fimbu" with an educational theme promoting African unity. The song includes parts of the Congolese national anthem and uses lyrics in English, Swahili, and French. On 16 December, Wazekwa premiered the single "Papa Wemba - Le Prince de la Rumba", as a tribute to Papa Wemba. This was succeeded by "Icône d'Afrique", a tribute to Simaro Lutumba. On 15 June 2019, he came out with "La Chicotte des Léopards" for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to support Les Léopards.

2020–present: Article 23 and standalone releases In December 2019, Wazekwa released his thirteenth studio double album titled Article 23, which included guest appearances by Barbara Kanam and Héritier Watanabe. It was produced by Foundation Wazekwa and consisted of 24 tracks. On 14 December, he premiered the eponymous ndombolo-infused lead single, which emulated Charlie Chaplin's Tramp character with shouts, notably "Charlie Chaplin Charlot!" and accompanied by a dance where the entire Cultur'A Pays-Vie imitated Chaplin's on-screen persona.

On 24 December 2020, Wazekwa released the lyric video for his English-inflected single "It's My Call". He followed up with "Miliki", a song in which Wazekwa extols his partner, likening her to the cherished milk of his childhood. On 14 July 2021, he debuted "Kilelo", a cover compilation of the most successful songs of notable Congolese musicians, including JB Mpiana, Werrason and Jossart N'Yoka Longo. On 17 March 2022, Wazekwa released the single "Leopards Fimbu International" in support of Les Léopards during the play-off phase for the 2022 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers. The track featured guest appearances by Flaety W. Manuke, Lokua Kanza, Kadiyoyo, JB Mpiana, Barbara Kanam, Koffi Olomide, Cindy Le Cœur, Héritier Watanabe, Laetitia Lokua, Adolphe Dominguez, Werrason, Lemiran LEM, Kristy Diamond, Ferré Gola, and Innoss'B.

Wazekwa participated in the sixth anniversary of Papa Wemba's passing alongside his family, A'Salfo, Reddy Amisi, Cathérine Kathungu Furaha, and Viva la Musica. On 25 June, Wazekwa published the single "Épaisseur", followed by "Entrepreneuriat" featuring Jossart N'Yoka Longo, which urges Congolese people to engage in entrepreneurial activities. On 3 February 2023, he collaborated with his erstwhile rival Koffi on the Congolese rumba-infused single "Eau Pure", a year after their reconciliation ended years of conflict that had characterized the Congolese music scene. He then appeared with Cindy Le Coeur on stage alongside Koffi during her concert at Millionaire Club in Kinshasa.

On 12 July, Wazekwa premiered "Tik Tok", featuring a guest appearance by Fabregas Le Métis Noir. He subsequently performed at Stade des Martyrs with Fabregas Le Métis Noir, becoming one of the few Congolese artists to grace the stage at the venue. On 30 September, Wazekwa performed alongside Ferré Gola, JB Mpiana, Werrason, Héritier Watanabe, and Fabregas Le Métis Noir at Stade Tata Raphaël during the "Célébrons le Héros" mega musical event, which expressed gratitude to President Félix Tshisekedi for the successful organization of the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie held in Kinshasa.

Discography

Studio albums

Tétragramme, YHWH (1995) Pauvres, Mais… (1997) Bonjour Monsieur (1998) Sponsor (1999) Signature (2001) Yo Nani ? (2002) Et Après... (2004) Faux Mutu Moko Boye (2005) Que Demande Le Peuple? (2008) Mémoire ya Nzambe (2010) Adamu Na Eva (2013) I Love You (2015) Article 23 (2020) De Mi Vida (2025) Fimbu Champions (2026)

Maxi-singles

Mosapi Liboso (2006) La chèvre de Monsieur Seguin (2009) Haut les mains (2011)

Collaborations

Haut de Gamme/Koweït, rive gauche (with Koffi Olomidé, 1992) Noblesse Oblige (with Koffi Olomidé, 1993) Foridoles (with Papa Wemba, 1994) Pole position (with Papa Wemba, 1995) Mi Corazon (album Pauvres, mais...) (Collaboration with Johann Frot, 1997) Stop à la guerre ! (Simaro Lutumba, Innoss'B, Fally Ipupa, Jean Goubald Kalala, King Kester Emeneya, Barbara Kanam, M'bilia Bel, MJ30, Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomidé, etc., 2012) 7 Ans (with Nix'xon, 2020)

Awards and nominations