Tshala Muana
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13 March 1958
Tshala Muana | |
|---|---|
 Tshala (second from right) in Kinshasa in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay 13 March 1958 |
| Died | 10 December 2022 (aged 64) Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Genres | Soukous, Congolese rumba, Mutuashi |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | Charly Records, Shanachie Records, Celluloid Records |
Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay (13 March 1958 – 10 December 2022), known professionally as Tshala Muana, was a singer and dancer from Congo-Kinshasa. Considered the "Queen of Mutuashi", a traditional dance music from her native Kasai region, she is often called "Mamu National".[1][2][3]
Tshala Muana was born on 13 March 1958, in Lubumbashi, then part of the Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.[4] She was the second of ten children of Amadeus Muidikayi, a soldier, and Alphonsine Bambiwa Tumba, a housewife.[4][5]
In 1964, when Muana Muidikay was 6 years old, her father was murdered.[4] She was raised by her mother, who died in 2005.
Career
Muana started her artistic career as a dancer for the musical band Tsheke Tsheke Love in 1977 before turning to singing.[4] She is famous for several songs such as "Karibu Yangu". She toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and global scene and recorded over 20 albums.[6] Her music has appeared in the soundtrack of the popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City .[6]
Personal life
In November 2020, Muana was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), reportedly for her song "Ingratitude", which was interpreted by many to be a veiled criticism of President Felix Tshisekedi, toward his former mentor and predecessor, President Joseph Kabila.[7][4] The singer was a public supporter of former President Joseph Kabila and his party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).[8]
