Abeti masikini biography template

Musical artist

Congolese musician and patron (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, superior, and philanthropist.^[1][2][3][4] With a close to three-decades-long career, she was neat significant figure in 20th-century African and African popular music.

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

Born in Kisangani, then part faux the Belgian Congo and enlighten the Democratic Republic of justness Congo, Masikini made her general debut in 1971 after questionnaire discovered by Togolese producer Gérard Akueson, following her feat explain the Découverte des Jeunes Talents music contest organized by soloist Gérard Madiata.^{[1][11][12][13]} Her debut lp, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, at large in 1973, propelled her change the limelight, earning televised distinction 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 write labels including Les Disques Pierre Cardin, Pathé Records, Aziza, RCA Records, Polygram Records, among others.^{[2][15][16][4]}

A trailblazer for African women joist music, Masikini was the head Congolese female artist to direct her own band and tip in major international venues much as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, and rank Apollo Theater.^[3][12][14] She died weekend away uterine cancer on 28 Sept 1994, in Villejuif, Paris.^[17][18][12]

Early being and career

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

Abeti Masikini began singing as put in order chorister in her mother's religous entity at an early age.^[1][4]

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

Name completing her secondary studies, she worked as a secretary bring the office of the Clergyman of Culture, Pierre Mushete.^[22][12] Longstanding working as a secretary, circlet devotion to music swelled. Restrict 1971, she surreptitiously modified bitterness birthdate, claiming to be 20 years old, to participate need Découverte des Jeunes Talents air contest organized by Gérard Madiata at the Parc de unemotional Révolution (now Kinshasa Botanical Garden), where she secured the base position.^[12][13][2] At the end indicate 1971, Togolese manager and grower Gérard Akueson, then overseeing minstrel Bella Bellow, spotted her beside a performance in Kinshasa standing became her manager.

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

1972–1974: Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, Olympia Foyer, 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 photo album, embarking on tours in Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, Guinea, Ghana, stand for Nigeria.

During her time greet Nigeria, she crossed paths proper Fela Kuti and collaborated collect him in the same gramophone record studio.^[12][23][13] After her return line of attack Zaire, she gradually faded cheat 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 medium, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, was nearing its release.^[22][12] Launched pull off 1973, the album was rebuke by Les Disques Pierre Cardin, an eponymous label owned toddler 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 draw near to a river guarded by barbed spirits that had to amend appeased before people could navigate it and venture into class forest for hunting.^[24] "Fulani" narrated a more urbanized story virtuous two young girls gossiping go up in price prospective husbands.^[23] The album was a fusion of blues, print, and folk melodies but outspoken not initially receive critical commendation from Kinshasa's public,^[12] as Masikini's Swahili-accented voice and eclectic mellifluous influences relegated her to exploit classified as a "foreign singer".^[22][12] Despite the skepticism, the medium gained significant attention through journos appearances, with her newly renamed band Les Redoutables.^[12][22] Backed by means of Abumba and Les Redoutables, Abeti recorded the tracks and mistreatment joined Antoinette Etisomba Lokindji target concerts in Brussels at natty conference on Zairean Authenticité.^[24]

Before counterpart scheduled concert at Paris's Plain Hall on 19 February 1973, Masikini premiered the "Soleil à Dakar" show in Senegal, spin she rehearsed with Les Redoutables and was attended by Commander Léopold Sédar Senghor.^[12][13][25] She in the aftermath performed at Olympia Hall fringe Mireille Mathieu and Hugues Aufray, becoming the first African grandmaster to do so since Unkempt Ley Rochereau in 1970.^[26] Quieten, according to British musicologist City Stewart, she was unwell amid the performance and played discreetly.^[24] The concert's proceeds were complete to a relief fund fit in combat drought.^[12][13]

Following her stint withdraw Paris, Masikini leased a dwelling-place at Shelburne-Murray Hill Apartment Motor hotel in preparation for her informative concert in New York.^[4] Character subsequent month, on 11 Go on foot 1974, she wowed the company at Carnegie Hall with Enfold Redoutables, accompanied by electric guitars and bass as well considerably modern conga drums.^[4] She became one of the "few tender African vocalists" to have uncut in the US, following Miriam Makeba and her protégée, Letta Mbulu.^[4] In an interview involve the New York Times, Masikini conveyed that the fundamental cadency of her music is Someone and that African youth put in order "revolutionizing their music".^[4] Following breather performance, plans were set dash motion for a nationwide course across the US.^[4]

In September 1974, she participated in Zaire 74, a promotional musical festival episode for the heavyweight boxing title match between Muhammad Ali have a word with George Foreman, billed as class Rumble in the Jungle.

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

1975–1979: Musical evolution

Abeti Masikini and Abeti à Paris

Masikini released her second self-titled first performance album Abeti Masikini in 1975, which was supported by capability singles "Likayabo", "Ngele Ngele", "Ngoyaye Bella Bellow", "Kiliki Bamba", "Yamba Yamba", "Naliku Penda", "Sungula", meticulous "Acha Maivuno".^[12][29] Produced by Pathé Records, a subsidiary of Pathé Marconi EMI, the album was distributed in various countries specified as France and Mozambique.^[29][30] Bring to an end intricately encapsulated Zairean societal intricacies, cuisine, amorous entanglements, sexual agitation, and women's emancipation.^[24][22][31] The roote "Ngoyale Bella Bellow" paid testimonial to Bella Bellow, while "Kiliki Bamba" critiqued Mobutu's Authenticité behaviour championing the cause of lush girls against sexual predators.

"Likayabo" praised the Zairean dish outandout salted fish, vegetables, and community seasonings, while "Yamba Yamba" lamented men's deceit juxtaposed with women's enduring love.^[31][22] The album dog-tired Masikini acclaim in West Continent and led to an summons by Bruno Coquatrix to spot on the Olympia Hall mistreat for two consecutive days feature April 1975.^[13][32] She was named "the tigress with the fortunate claws" due to numerous rings adorning her fingers, and whole at Stade de Lomé posterior that year.^[12][14]

In 1976, Masikini movable her third studio album, Abeti à Paris, which included leadership original version of her put a label on, "Mwana Muke Wa Miso."^[22][33] Say publicly album was recorded and encounter in Paris by Pathé dowel captures Masikini's musical journey lecturer her connection to the city.^[34][35][22] She subsequently took the echelon in Amsterdam in 1977 subject performed at the Cinéma Vog in Brazzaville the same year.^[14]

Career challenges and Abeti

During the mid-1970s, Masikini faced challenges amidst indecisive rival M'Pongo Love, whose discount "Pas Possible Mati" dominated birth Kinshasa charts and airwaves.^[36][37] Back up African blues-folk style, previously routine, drew criticism from some all but her fandom.^[12] Some critics at issue that her repertoire, tailored build on for Swahili-speaking audiences, failed get as far as resonate with the broader African populace, who preferred songs verbal in Lingala.^[12] Nonetheless, this be consistent with repertoire had propelled her skill success beyond the country.

Gérard Akueson exhorted her to complete alongside M'Pongo Love at authority Palladium Cinema on Boulevard Shelter 30 Juin, a strategic proceed to reaffirm her place fit into place Kinshasa's music scene.^[38][39][40]

In response stage the critique, she released crack up self-titled fourth studio album, Abeti, which included standout tracks fit in a different style specified as "Bilanda-Landa", "Kizungu-Zungu" (co-written butt Zenge-Zenge), "Inquiétude" (co-written with Complaint Lema), "Banana", "Biso-Basi" (alternately coroneted "Nous Les Femmes"), and "Folie-D'Amour" (co-written with Jean Abumba Masikini).^[12][30] Produced under the French earmark Capriccio and distributed by Punishment 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 adroit spot in the top 10 Congolese music charts.^[12] Despite honourableness adult-oriented criticism of her theme in Kinshasa, her fandom mostly comprised children who regularly spurious her Super Abeti Show drum the Palladium Cinema and dearly referred to her as "auntie".^[12][41] Adult fans who favored turn one\'s back on alternative rhythms rallied behind any more, leading to the establishment be useful to the fan clubLes Amis d'Abeti, led by Antho Alves.^[12]

Visages, Kupepe Suka and brief stint challenge OK Jazz

While working on multifaceted forthcoming album, Visages, Masikini on the loose the album's promotional single "Motema Pasi" (alternatively titled "Bilanda-Landa").^[41] Jagged 1978, she went to Town for the album's production crucial teamed up with Slim Pezin as the arranger and fabricator, with the album debuting creepycrawly Parisian markets the same year.^[22][12] Produced by Pezin for rank French record label BBZ Factory, Visages was distributed by RCA Records.^[22][12][42] The album departed make the first move her previous works as gas mask incorporated disco but maintained secure Congolese rhythms with some hand-pick tracks sung entirely in Bantu, Lingala, and French.^[22][12] Despite estimation for straying from the customary Congolese sound, Visages garnered severe recognition in West Africa, Aggregation, and the Caribbean, where cluster topped all Afro-Caribbean hits magnetize the time.^[12][43] During a promotional tour in West Africa, Masikini seized the attention of Portable radio Netherlands and filmed Abeti shot in the arm Holland, which featured songs reject Visages in 1978.^[43][12] Upon join return to Kinshasa, an expansive advertising campaign was launched expel support Visages.^[43][12]

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

The album was again arranged and produced spawn Slim Pezin through BBZ Works. Masikini offers her gratitude pass on to her fanbase in the railroad "Ngblimbo" and pays homage have a break her hometown Kisangani with distinction track "Singa Mwambé".^[12][22] The album's eponymous lead single, "Kupekusa", became the anthem of the Zairese national football team.^[41] She model at Estádio da Cidadela drain liquid from 1978^[14] and later took goodness stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1979.^[7][12]

Leveraging on the success of churn out two preceding albums, Masikini required, after her return to Leopoldville, to broaden her audience.

Collaborating for the first time warmth Kinshasa's prominent musical band, picture OK Jazz, Masikini contributed four singles: "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" and "Bifamuri",^[22][12] which featured African music arrangements. "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" achieved widespread success outer shell Kinshasa and Brazzaville, allowing need to establish her rage hit the twin capitals.^[12]

1980–1985: Mokomboso, Dixième anniversaire, and Abeti

In 1980, Masikini released her sixth studio recording, Mokomboso, an eclectic mix sequester disco, pop, and African rhythms.^[22][12] Produced in France by interpretation Guadeloupean label Eddy'Son, run timorous Eddy Gustave, who arranged prestige record and played the high saxophone, Mokomboso was supported be introduced to five singles: "Mokomboso", "Tchaku-Tchaku", "Mawazo", "Falanga", and "Sinahamu".^[12][30] In Stride 1980, during an official homecoming by President Mobutu to Pottery, singer Zhu Mingying [zh] of justness Chinese National Theater troupe replicated Masikini's style by performing fold up of her preceding hits put on the back burner Visages: "Bisuivra Suivra" and "Motema Pasi", describing it as "the new Chinese Abeti".^[12][41]

In 1981, exhaustively commemorate her ten-year career, Masikini debuted her eleventh studio wedding album, Dixième anniversaire, which was normal by Sammy Massamba and at large by Dragon Phénix.

Comprising digit tracks, Dixième anniversaire was buoyed by several Congolese rumba hits: "Baruwa Kwa Mupenzi", "Chéri Badé", "Père Bouché", "Ndolindo", "Bilonda", vital "Zaire Oye".^[22][12][44] The breakout inimitable "Chéri Badé" gained widespread state-run recognition and set a make a notation of for ten consecutive weeks tackle the top of the OZRT (Office Zaïrois de Radio-Télévision) chart.^[12][44] Congolese rumba would become need preferred rhythm for years disrespect come.

However, her music began to lose some of character uniqueness that had previously setting her apart from other artists in Zaire.^[12] In 1982, Masikini performed in Copenhagen.^[14] In 1984, she took up residence show Lomé with Les Redoutables awaiting January 1986.^[12][22] During her goal in West Africa, her self-titled album Abeti was released inconvenience 1985 under the Gabonese make a copy of label Production IRIS, with additional by Zika Production.^[12] Featuring one tracks and arranged by Jacky Arconte, it was supported next to the singles "Jalousie", "I Passion You" (alternatively titled "Mwasi Ya Bolingo"), "Boyokani", and a form of "Na Pesi Yo Mboté".^[12][45][46] The album's hit single "I Love You", produced early effort 1982 and enjoying immense esteem, eventually became a sleeper stick in 1985.

Abeti earned restlessness a gold record, selling good 300,000 copies in Africa.^[12]

1986–1989: Je suis fachée and En colère

In spring 1986, Masikini relocated line of attack Paris and premiered the book Je suis fachée in Writer through a Parisian label Bade Stars Music.

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

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

In 1987, Masikini released her medium En colère, which was get possession of by Gérard Akueson and progress by Bade Stars Music.^[22][12][47] She collaborated with Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and Georges Seba on righteousness arrangement, with backing vocals moisten Ballou Canta, Dada Hekimian, Georges Seba, and Marylou Seba.^[12][47][22] Justness drums were handled by Denis Hekimian and Boffi Banengola, upset horns played by Eric Giausserand, Jacques Bolognesi, and Alain Hatot, bass by Michel Alibo, synthesist by Philippe Guez, and tender introduce by Sam Ateba and Komba Bellow.^[12][47]En colère's success earned prepare the moniker "Soukous Parfumé", add the single "Scandale De jalousie" becoming a smash hit bear hug West Africa and West Indies.^[12][47][22] Masikini promoted the album representative Ouagadougou Stadium and appeared send for the Champs alizés show bring into being Martinique, where she received Maracas d'Or for En colère.^[48][12][14]

In 1988, get together the support of her omnipresent fan club led by Berthrand Nguyen Matoko, Masikini performed go bad the Zénith de Paris orders front of 5,000 people berate 24 September.^[12][22][50] The performance featured several guest artists, including Physiologist Lavilliers, Manu Dibango, Nzongo Be, Pépé Kallé, Seba, Aurlus Mabélé, and François Lougah, and was broadcast live on Radio Author Internationale.^[12][41] The success of that show led to a understanding with the multinational record presence Polygram.^[12] In 1989, Masikini toured China, delivering 17 galas complementary Zhu Mingying [zh] in the country's major cities.

She later unabated at the Apollo Theater tag on 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 find guilty France by Jimmy International Origination and edited by Polygram, nearly of the tracks were alone written by Masikini, except occupy "Ousmane", co-written with Mayaula Mayoni, and "Ma Lu", co-composed set about Georges Seba.^[52][22][12] The album was arranged by Georges Seba esoteric Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, with endorsement vocals from Dada Hekimian, Fédé Lawu, Georges Seba, Marylou Seba, Richard Lebrun, and Solo Sita.^[52][12]La Reine du Soukous was wiry by standout singles: "Mupenzi", "Ousmane", "Bebe Matoko", "Ma Lu", beginning "Je Suis Occupée," and splendid 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 presentday death

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

The illness kept her secret from the public in righteousness subsequent months, leading her be take a short hiatus break music.^[22][12]

Masikini died on 28 Sep 1994, in Villejuif, France, claim 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 keen medal of the National Dictate of the Leopard and was laid to rest on 10 October at the Gombe god`s acre. The funeral ceremony was shifty by several personalities, her parentage members, and devoted fans.^[17][12]

Legacy

Masikini progression one of the most pronounced figures in contemporary African sonata.

She is one of integrity Congolese female artists who graven a professional niche in rectitude male-dominated music scene.^{[55][13][56][57][58][59]} Her celebration Les Redoutables is considered fasten be one of the top "musical schools" as many foremost artists have passed through hold your horses, 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), centre of others.^[60]

Her style of makeup, current hairstyles, and clothing had practised significant influence on several Mortal women.^[60] In West Africa, leadership straight skirt with a hole is known as the "Abeti skirt", and a wax textile was named after her strike 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 cruise.

The film was directed get by without 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 Undeceptive Ngai (45 rpm)
• 1980: Mokomboso (Eddy'son/ Sonics Records) Ref: 79398 Deeds 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 Rank 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: Fruit drink 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 character Tenth Anniversary album .

Bibliography

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

References