14/09/2025
THE WENGE MUSICA 4X4
In July 1981, in the quarter of Bandalungwa (Bandal), Didier Masela returned to Kinshasa from boarding school in Mbanza Boma. Together with Aimé Buanga, he developed the idea of forming a music group. A few days later they were joined by Noël Ngiama (Werrason) and Alain Mwanga.
Werrason brought in his brother Ladins Montana and cousin Mashiro Kifaya. Towards the end of the year, singer Jean Luvutula joined and later introduced Werrason to his schoolmate Jean-Bedel Tsh*tuka Mpiana (JB Mpiana). JB brought along another schoolmate, rhythm guitarist Christian Zitu, who was soon joined by Evo Nsiona on mbonda (traditional drums).
In December 1981, singers Anicet Panzu “Anibo” and Dédé Masolo arrived. Two weeks later, JB Mpiana introduced Blaise Bula to the group. With Werrason, Didier Masela, JB Mpiana, Alain Makaba, and Alain Mwanga, they are all considered co-founders of Wenge Musica.
By 1982, Adolphe Ebondja (Dominguez) started approaching the band through his classmate JB Mpiana, though he was not a regular since he was still close to singer Defao Matumona. That same year, singer Bienvenue “Wes” Koka and drummer Maradona Lontomba joined. All members were still in high school, rehearsing only during holidays. Some even missed practice because their parents feared it would distract them from studies.
Their first concert as a group of friends was at Bar Olympia in Bandal during the 1982 holidays, after which they all returned to school. In 1983–1984, they performed more frequently, mainly interpreting songs by Victoria Eleison and Viva La Musica.
The name Wenge Musica came from a local football team in Bandal (Wenge), while Musica was inspired by Papa Wemba’s Viva La Musica. Interestingly, the first presidents of the group were not musicians but donors: Papy Kimbi and Mavo Voka.
By 1985, Wenge was edging closer to professionalism, performing as opening acts for Viva La Musica, Empire Bakuba, and Victoria Eleison. Their main rivals among “quarter groups” were Dakumuda and Lavignora Esthétique, Boguys Bompema and Super Lemba, Pascal Poba and Les Fleurons, Marie Paul and Maître Ficarré in Litonge Bouge, Ricoco Bulambemba and Blaise Kombo with Il Fallait Kaka, and others.
They also began composing original songs: “Kin e Bouger” (version 1) and “Ginette” by JB Mpiana, “Laura” by Blaise Bula, “Bébé” by Zing Zong, and “Césarine” by Werrason, among others. Around this time, Adolphe Dominguez became more regular, though several members — Adolphe, Zing Zong, Christian Zitu, and Aimé Buanga — were later sent to Europe by their parents. Dédé Masolo (“Deno Star”) eventually left the group to become a pastor.
Supported by elder figures like Mbuta Kiss Kisolokele, Kija Brown (Werrason’s cousin), and Eliott Mondobe (JB Mpiana’s photographer), the group planned its first album. During this period, Alain Mpela Tshwakulenda was discovered by Werrason while on holiday in Kingasani. Mpela, originally from Matete, was singing Victoria Eleison’s “Ngabelo” when Werrason spotted him.
New recruits followed: drummer Pipo, rhythm guitarist Djolina Mandudila, mi-soloist Blaise Kombo, and bassist Eddy Kandimbo. In 1987, singers Marie Paul Kambulu and later Jean Baptiste Mileya (Manda Chante) joined as reserve members. By early 1988, Kandimbo left and was replaced by Christian Mwepu Mabanga, who joined a month after his elder brother Alain Mwepu, recruited as Alain Makaba’s back-up soloist.
In 1988, Wenge prepared to record their first album at Studio Bobongo. For the first time, the group elected a president from among themselves:
Werrason – Financial Director
Alain Makaba – Artistic Director
Didier Masela – Founder & Administrator
JB Mpiana – President
They chose four songs for the debut album. JB was allocated three tracks, Alain Makaba one, while Blaise Bula’s composition was left out. Upset, Blaise skipped much of the recording, replaced by the young Alain Mpela, who was so short he had to stand on a bottle crate to reach the microphone. Eventually, Blaise rejoined and contributed.
The album was a huge success, propelling Wenge Musica beyond its rivals, especially Dakumuda’s Lavignora Esthétique, which had once been seen as more promising.
