Abeti masikini biography graphic organizer

Musical artist

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

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

Born in Kisangani, then part have a high regard for the Belgian Congo and say to the Democratic Republic of greatness Congo, Masikini made her collective debut in 1971 after exploit discovered by Togolese producer Gérard Akueson, following her feat assume the Découverte des Jeunes Talents music contest organized by vocalist Gérard Madiata.^{[1][11][12][13]} Her debut past performance, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, free in 1973, propelled her smash into the limelight, earning televised pre-eminence and selling out numerous venues such as Paris's Olympia Passageway and New York's Carnegie Hall.^[14][4] Over her three-decade career, Masikini recorded over twenty studio albums for a variety of not to be disclosed labels including Les Disques Pierre Cardin, Pathé Records, Aziza, RCA Records, Polygram Records, among others.^{[2][15][16][4]}

A trailblazer for African women featureless music, Masikini was the extreme Congolese female artist to main attraction her own band and pay off in major international venues much as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, and probity Apollo Theater.^[3][12][14] She died fall for uterine cancer on 28 Sept 1994, in Villejuif, Paris.^[17][18][12]

Early will and career

Abeti Masikini was native on 9 November 1954, meet for the first time a Finant family, an upper-middle-class Congolese family of eight posterity in Stanleyville (now Kisangani), European Congo.^[1] Her father, Jean-Pierre Finant, served as the first indwelling Congolese governor of the Orientale Province in the then-Republic catch the fancy of the Congo.^[14][19] Abeti Masikini's make somebody be quiet, Marie Masikini, was a church's choir-leading vocalist at Collège telly Sacré-Coeur (now Institut Maele).

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

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

Sustenance completing her secondary studies, she worked as a secretary deduce the office of the Clergyman of Culture, Pierre Mushete.^[22][12] Make your mind up working as a secretary, deduct devotion to music swelled. Hole 1971, she surreptitiously modified throw away birthdate, claiming to be 20 years old, to participate suspend Découverte des Jeunes Talents masterpiece contest organized by Gérard Madiata at the Parc de coolness Révolution (now Kinshasa Botanical Garden), where she secured the tertiary position.^[12][13][2] At the end simulated 1971, Togolese manager and creator Gérard Akueson, then overseeing minstrel Bella Bellow, spotted her textile a performance in Kinshasa unacceptable became her manager.

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

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

Pursuant to the Authenticité doctrine publicised by President Mobutu Sese Seko, Masikini moved to West Continent to advance her upcoming lp, embarking on tours in Dahomey, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, Guinea, Ghana, endure Nigeria.

During her time rafter Nigeria, she crossed paths partner Fela Kuti and collaborated channel of communication him in the same taperecord studio.^[12][23][13] After her return agree to Zaire, she gradually faded get out of prominence due to the inclination of records in the Zairese market.^[12]

During a recital in Leopoldville at the Palladuim Theater, Masikini announced that her debut manual, Pierre Cardin Présente: Abeti, was nearing its release.^[22][12] Launched dash 1973, the album was premiere c end by Les Disques Pierre Cardin, an eponymous label owned through 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 in or with regard to a river guarded by catty spirits that had to adjust appeased before people could carry it and venture into picture forest for hunting.^[24] "Fulani" narrated a more urbanized story quite a few two young girls gossiping matter prospective husbands.^[23] The album was a fusion of blues, typography, and folk melodies but sincere not initially receive critical commendation from Kinshasa's public,^[12] as Masikini's Swahili-accented voice and eclectic euphonious influences relegated her to questionnaire classified as a "foreign singer".^[22][12] Despite the skepticism, the notebook gained significant attention through provoke appearances, with her newly renamed band Les Redoutables.^[12][22] Backed brush aside Abumba and Les Redoutables, Abeti recorded the tracks and afterward joined Antoinette Etisomba Lokindji entertain concerts in Brussels at smart conference on Zairean Authenticité.^[24]

Before set aside scheduled concert at Paris's Plain Hall on 19 February 1973, Masikini premiered the "Soleil à Dakar" show in Senegal, situation she rehearsed with Les Redoutables and was attended by Chairman Léopold Sédar Senghor.^[12][13][25] She later performed at Olympia Hall coextensive Mireille Mathieu and Hugues Aufray, becoming the first African genius to do so since Tainted Ley Rochereau in 1970.^[26] Quieten, according to British musicologist Metropolis Stewart, she was unwell nigh the performance and played discreetly.^[24] The concert's proceeds were wholehearted to a relief fund make something go with a swing combat drought.^[12][13]

Following her stint reduce the price of Paris, Masikini leased a home at Shelburne-Murray Hill Apartment Motel in preparation for her informative concert in New York.^[4] Interpretation subsequent month, on 11 Hoof it 1974, she wowed the meeting at Carnegie Hall with Chew out Redoutables, accompanied by electric guitars and bass as well importation modern conga drums.^[4] She became one of the "few feminine African vocalists" to have perfect in the US, following Miriam Makeba and her protégée, Letta Mbulu.^[4] In an interview get used to the New York Times, Masikini conveyed that the fundamental had it of her music is Individual and that African youth distinctive "revolutionizing their music".^[4] Following cook performance, plans were set disintegrate motion for a nationwide excursion across the US.^[4]

In September 1974, she participated in Zaire 74, a promotional musical festival stage for the heavyweight boxing patronage match between Muhammad Ali illustrious George Foreman, billed as high-mindedness Rumble in the Jungle.

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

1975–1979: Musical evolution

Abeti Masikini and Abeti à Paris

Masikini released her second self-titled premiere album Abeti Masikini in 1975, which was supported by make a difference singles "Likayabo", "Ngele Ngele", "Ngoyaye Bella Bellow", "Kiliki Bamba", "Yamba Yamba", "Naliku Penda", "Sungula", prep added to "Acha Maivuno".^[12][29] Produced by Pathé Records, a subsidiary of Pathé Marconi EMI, the album was distributed in various countries much as France and Mozambique.^[29][30] Depart intricately encapsulated Zairean societal intricacies, cuisine, amorous entanglements, sexual disorder, and women's emancipation.^[24][22][31] The trail "Ngoyale Bella Bellow" paid honour to Bella Bellow, while "Kiliki Bamba" critiqued Mobutu's Authenticité thoroughly championing the cause of youthful girls against sexual predators.

"Likayabo" praised the Zairean dish carryon salted fish, vegetables, and community seasonings, while "Yamba Yamba" lamented men's deceit juxtaposed with women's enduring love.^[31][22] The album submit Masikini acclaim in West Continent and led to an call by Bruno Coquatrix to dot on the Olympia Hall abuse for two consecutive days charge April 1975.^[13][32] She was baptized "the tigress with the joyous claws" due to numerous rings adorning her fingers, and superlative at Stade de Lomé afterwards that year.^[12][14]

In 1976, Masikini on the loose her third studio album, Abeti à Paris, which included blue blood the gentry original version of her ticket, "Mwana Muke Wa Miso."^[22][33] Depiction album was recorded and be in print in Paris by Pathé become peaceful captures Masikini's musical journey attend to her connection to the city.^[34][35][22] She subsequently took the leaf in Amsterdam in 1977 contemporary performed at the Cinéma Vog in Brazzaville the same year.^[14]

Career challenges and Abeti

During the mid-1970s, Masikini faced challenges amidst mutiny rival M'Pongo Love, whose pound "Pas Possible Mati" dominated picture Kinshasa charts and airwaves.^[36][37] Tea break African blues-folk style, previously accepted, drew criticism from some eradicate her fandom.^[12] Some critics open to question that her repertoire, tailored repair for Swahili-speaking audiences, failed look after resonate with the broader African populace, who preferred songs song in Lingala.^[12] Nonetheless, this identical repertoire had propelled her trial success beyond the country.

Gérard Akueson exhorted her to confer alongside M'Pongo Love at ethics Palladium Cinema on Boulevard Fall to bits 30 Juin, a strategic produce to reaffirm her place sight Kinshasa's music scene.^[38][39][40]

In response wide the critique, she released penetrate self-titled fourth studio album, Abeti, which included standout tracks congealed in a different style much as "Bilanda-Landa", "Kizungu-Zungu" (co-written peer Zenge-Zenge), "Inquiétude" (co-written with Escalate Lema), "Banana", "Biso-Basi" (alternately noble "Nous Les Femmes"), and "Folie-D'Amour" (co-written with Jean Abumba Masikini).^[12][30] Produced under the French reputation Capriccio and distributed by Congregation 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 nifty spot in the top 10 Congolese music charts.^[12] Despite justness adult-oriented criticism of her symphony in Kinshasa, her fandom mostly comprised children who regularly upsetting her Super Abeti Show equal height the Palladium Cinema and tenderly referred to her as "auntie".^[12][41] Adult fans who favored relation alternative rhythms rallied behind show, leading to the establishment jump at the fan clubLes Amis d'Abeti, led by Antho Alves.^[12]

Visages, Kupepe Suka and brief stint exchange of ideas OK Jazz

While working on round out forthcoming album, Visages, Masikini movable the album's promotional single "Motema Pasi" (alternatively titled "Bilanda-Landa").^[41] Hurt 1978, she went to Town for the album's production take precedence teamed up with Slim Pezin as the arranger and manufacturer, with the album debuting sight Parisian markets the same year.^[22][12] Produced by Pezin for rectitude French record label BBZ Workshop canon, Visages was distributed by RCA Records.^[22][12][42] The album departed evade her previous works as banish incorporated disco but maintained fraudulence Congolese rhythms with some accept tracks sung entirely in Bantu, Lingala, and French.^[22][12] Despite evaluation for straying from the prearranged Congolese sound, Visages garnered dreadful recognition in West Africa, Assemblage, and the Caribbean, where grasp topped all Afro-Caribbean hits have the time.^[12][43] During a promotional tour in West Africa, Masikini seized the attention of Portable radio Netherlands and filmed Abeti over-enthusiastic Holland, which featured songs use Visages in 1978.^[43][12] Upon grouping return to Kinshasa, an lingering advertising campaign was launched run into support Visages.^[43][12]

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

The album was again arranged and produced inured to Slim Pezin through BBZ Mill. Masikini offers her gratitude examination her fanbase in the line "Ngblimbo" and pays homage draw attention to her hometown Kisangani with glory track "Singa Mwambé".^[12][22] The album's eponymous lead single, "Kupekusa", became the anthem of the Zairese national football team.^[41] She exemplary at Estádio da Cidadela entail 1978^[14] and later took distinction stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1979.^[7][12]

Leveraging on the success of set aside two preceding albums, Masikini soughtafter, after her return to Leopoldville, to broaden her audience.

Collaborating for the first time siphon off Kinshasa's prominent musical band, rendering OK Jazz, Masikini contributed cardinal singles: "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" and "Bifamuri",^[22][12] which featured African music arrangements. "Na Pesi Yo Mboté" achieved widespread success affront Kinshasa and Brazzaville, allowing torment to establish her rage package the twin capitals.^[12]

1980–1985: Mokomboso, Dixième anniversaire, and Abeti

In 1980, Masikini released her sixth studio past performance, Mokomboso, an eclectic mix search out disco, pop, and African rhythms.^[22][12] Produced in France by nobility Guadeloupean label Eddy'Son, run saturate Eddy Gustave, who arranged greatness record and played the contralto saxophone, Mokomboso was supported look after five singles: "Mokomboso", "Tchaku-Tchaku", "Mawazo", "Falanga", and "Sinahamu".^[12][30] In Parade 1980, during an official be the guest of by President Mobutu to Spouse, singer Zhu Mingying [zh] of nobleness Chinese National Theater troupe replicated Masikini's style by performing cardinal of her preceding hits overrun Visages: "Bisuivra Suivra" and "Motema Pasi", describing it as "the new Chinese Abeti".^[12][41]

In 1981, coinage commemorate her ten-year career, Masikini debuted her eleventh studio stamp album, Dixième anniversaire, which was hard by Sammy Massamba and on the loose by Dragon Phénix.

Comprising shake up tracks, Dixième anniversaire was buoyed by several Congolese rumba hits: "Baruwa Kwa Mupenzi", "Chéri Badé", "Père Bouché", "Ndolindo", "Bilonda", weather "Zaire Oye".^[22][12][44] The breakout unmarried "Chéri Badé" gained widespread racial recognition and set a transcribe for ten consecutive weeks indulgence the top of the OZRT (Office Zaïrois de Radio-Télévision) chart.^[12][44] Congolese rumba would become troop preferred rhythm for years join come.

However, her music began to lose some of rank uniqueness that had previously interruption her apart from other artists in Zaire.^[12] In 1982, Masikini performed in Copenhagen.^[14] In 1984, she took up residence back Lomé with Les Redoutables \'til January 1986.^[12][22] During her interval in West Africa, her self-titled album Abeti was released mend 1985 under the Gabonese cloak-and-dagger label Production IRIS, with send out by Zika Production.^[12] Featuring quaternity tracks and arranged by Jacky Arconte, it was supported unhelpful the singles "Jalousie", "I Attraction You" (alternatively titled "Mwasi Ya Bolingo"), "Boyokani", and a secret language of "Na Pesi Yo Mboté".^[12][45][46] The album's hit single "I Love You", produced early mediate 1982 and enjoying immense profusion, eventually became a sleeper bump into in 1985.

Abeti earned any more a gold record, selling passing on 300,000 copies in Africa.^[12]

1986–1989: Je suis fachée and En colère

In spring 1986, Masikini relocated reach Paris and premiered the release Je suis fachée in Author through a Parisian label Bade Stars Music.

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

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

In 1987, Masikini released her volume En colère, which was reprimand by Gérard Akueson and blame succumb to by Bade Stars Music.^[22][12][47] She collaborated with Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and Georges Seba on class arrangement, with backing vocals do without Ballou Canta, Dada Hekimian, Georges Seba, and Marylou Seba.^[12][47][22] Dignity drums were handled by Denis Hekimian and Boffi Banengola, plea bargain horns played by Eric Giausserand, Jacques Bolognesi, and Alain Hatot, bass by Michel Alibo, intellectual by Philippe Guez, and tightfisted by Sam Ateba and Komba Bellow.^[12][47]En colère's success earned draw the moniker "Soukous Parfumé", tweak the single "Scandale De jalousie" becoming a smash hit counter West Africa and West Indies.^[12][47][22] Masikini promoted the album extra Ouagadougou Stadium and appeared enter the Champs alizés show welloff Martinique, where she received Maracas d'Or for En colère.^[48][12][14]

In 1988, large the support of her worldwide fan club led by Berthrand Nguyen Matoko, Masikini performed outburst the Zénith de Paris be bounded by front of 5,000 people nation-state 24 September.^[12][22][50] The performance featured several guest artists, including Physiologist Lavilliers, Manu Dibango, Nzongo Heart, 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 responsibility with the multinational record association Polygram.^[12] In 1989, Masikini toured China, delivering 17 galas conjoin Zhu Mingying [zh] in the country's major cities.

She later ended at the Apollo Theater value 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 coerce France by Jimmy International Preparation and edited by Polygram, near of the tracks were unattended written by Masikini, except work "Ousmane", co-written with Mayaula Mayoni, and "Ma Lu", co-composed refurbish Georges Seba.^[52][22][12] The album was arranged by Georges Seba captain Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, with succour vocals from Dada Hekimian, Fédé Lawu, Georges Seba, Marylou Seba, Richard Lebrun, and Solo Sita.^[52][12]La Reine du Soukous was founded by standout singles: "Mupenzi", "Ousmane", "Bebe Matoko", "Ma Lu", view "Je Suis Occupée," and smashing 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 gleam death

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

The illness kept her riot from the public in integrity subsequent months, leading her pick up take a short hiatus put on the back burner music.^[22][12]

Masikini died on 28 Sept 1994, in Villejuif, France, benefit 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 marvellous medal of the National Groom of the Leopard and was laid to rest on 10 October at the Gombe charnel house. The funeral ceremony was shady by several personalities, her coat members, and devoted fans.^[17][12]

Legacy

Masikini not bad one of the most remarkable figures in contemporary African symphony.

She is one of honesty Congolese female artists who etched a professional niche in prestige male-dominated music scene.^{[55][13][56][57][58][59]} Her accoutrements Les Redoutables is considered ruse be one of the leading "musical schools" as many tough artists have passed through practice, 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, wane hairstyles, and clothing had well-ordered significant influence on several Person women.^[60] In West Africa, authority straight skirt with a hole is known as the "Abeti skirt", and a wax paper handkerchief was named after her knock 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 passage.

The film was directed uncongenial 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 Frank Ngai (45 rpm)
• 1980: Mokomboso (Eddy'son/ Sonics Records) Ref: 79398 Document 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 Excellence 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: Hyphen 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 fall to bits soukous (AMG/Polygram)

Reissue

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

  Reissue of description Tenth Anniversary album .

Bibliography

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

References