Werrason

Werrason
Werrason in 2007
Werrason in 2007
Background information
Birth nameNoel Ngiama Makanda
Also known as
  • Roi De La Forêt
  • Phénomène
  • Igwe
  • Ambassadeur De La Paix
  • Vieux N'Soné
  • Émérite
  • Grand Formateur
  • Papa Formidable
  • Ya Ngiama
  • Ya Père Noël
Born (1965-12-25) December 25, 1965 (age 58)
Kikwit, Kwilu District, Congo-Leopoldville
(modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • record producer
  • arranger
  • dancer
  • choreographer
Instrument(s)Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion
Years active1981–present
Formerly ofWenge Musica
WebsiteWerrason Official Website

Noël Ngiama Makanda (born 25 December 1965), known professionally as Werrason, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, composer, producer, philanthropist, and the bandleader of Wenge Musica Maison Mère.[1][2][3][4] He was a co-founding member of Wenge Musica, a musical group that played a pivotal role in the development of the ndombolo dance music genre during the 1990s.[5][4][6][7][8]

Ngiama is widely recognized as one of the emblematic figures of Wenge Musica. His compositions, such as "Mulolo", "Kin É Bougé" (featuring JB Mpiana), and notably "Kala-Yi-Boeing", are acclaimed as some of Wenge Musica's most distinguished works.[9][10][11] Following Wenge Musica's disbandment in 1997 due to internal disputes between Ngiama and JB Mpiana, the band split into Wenge Musica Maison Mère, led by Ngiama, and Wenge BCBG, headed by JB Mpiana.[3][12][13]

In December 1999, Wenge Musica Maison Mère released the ndombolo-infused album Solola Bien!, which achieved gold certification and experienced immediate success across Africa and its diaspora in France.[14][15][16] In September 2000, Wenge Musica Maison Mère became the second African act to perform and sell out the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy following Koffi Olomidé earlier that year.[17][18][19] With a career spanning nearly four decades, Werrason has produced numerous successful studio albums, including seven with Wenge Musica, nine with Wenge Musica Maison Mère, and four solo studio albums. Notable solo releases include Kibuisa Mpimpa (2001), Témoignage (2005), Sans Poteau (2015), and 7 jours de la semaine (2017).[20][21][3]

Aside from music, Ngiama is known for his humanitarian work. He founded the Werrason Foundation in 2000, a non-profit organization that aids orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[5][22] Recognized as an "Ambassador For Peace" and "people's singer" by the United Nations Global Compact,[22][23] Ngiama is an advocate for UNESCO's initiatives against AIDS and discrimination.[5]

  1. ^ Ngaira, Amos (May 20, 2016). "Singer Werrason's date with Nairobi, Kisumu fans". Nation. Nairobi, kenya. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Résistances et dissidences: l'Afrique centrale des droits de l'homme , Volume 2 (in French). Paris, France: Éditions Karthala. January 1, 2003. p. 68. ISBN 978-2-84586-346-0.
  3. ^ a b c Diala, Jordache (January 5, 2017). "Congo-Kinshasa: 52 ans d'âge et 35 ans de carrière officielle - Werrason - Le secret du succès !" [Congo-Kinshasa: 52 years of age and 35 years of official career - Werrason - The secret of success!]. Laprosperiteonline.net/ (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Werrason". Congolese Music. December 10, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Ngiama Makanda Noël alias le phenomene Werrason" [Ngiama Makanda Noël aka the Werrason phenomenon]. Universrumbacongolaise.com (in French). July 26, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Krings, Matthias (July 20, 2015). African Appropriations: Cultural Difference, Mimesis, and Media. Bloomington, Indiana, United States: Indiana University Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-253-01640-9.
  7. ^ Otieno, Charles. "The return of Wenge Musica". Evewoman Magazine. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "25-Year Wenge Musica Face-Off Appears to End". Afropop Worldwide. April 14, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  9. ^ The Beat, Volume 20. Melbourne, Australia: Beat Magazine. 2001. p. 65.
  10. ^ Résistances et dissidences: l'Afrique centrale des droits de l'homme, Volume 2 (in French). Paris, France: Éditions Karthala. January 1, 2003. p. 68. ISBN 978-2-84586-346-0.
  11. ^ The Beat, Volume 19. Melbourne, Australia: Beat Magazine. 2000. p. 32.
  12. ^ Kanka, Joseph (June 8, 2001). "Congo-Kinshasa: J.B. Mpiana attendu à Mbuji-Mayi le 23 juin 2001" [Congo-Kinshasa: JB Mpiana expected in Mbuji-Mayi on June 23, 2001]. Le Phare (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Kanka, Joseph (June 15, 2001). "Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge BCBG : les fans de B Mpiana exigent un concert de 'correction' à Martyrs" [Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge BCBG: B Mpiana fans demand a 'correction' concert at Martyrs]. Le Phare (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Rorison, Sean (2008). Congo. Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-84162-233-0.
  15. ^ Diambu, Diambu Di (November 7, 2002). "Congo-Kinshasa : Le Ndombolo qui triomphe, le ndombolo qu'on dénigre: Que la musique soit avec vous !" [Congo-Kinshasa: The Ndombolo that triumphs, the Ndombolo that is denigrated: May the music be with you!]. Lephareonline.net/ (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Rorison, Sean (2012). Congo: Democratic Republic – Republic. Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-84162-391-7.
  17. ^ Babunga, Benjamin (September 15, 2017). "Le 16 septembre 2000, Werrason devient le deuxième artiste-musicien africain à remplir la salle mythique de Paris-Bercy, en France" [On 16 September 2000, Werrason became the second African artist to fill the legendary hall of Paris-Bercy in France]. Babunga.alobi.cd (in French). Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  18. ^ Yunduka, Karim (October 29, 2020). "Musique : Werrason prêt pour son concert au Zénith de Paris en 2021" [Music: Werrason ready for his concert at the Zénith de Paris in 2021]. Adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "Werrason déplore l'annulation de son concert au Zénith de Paris" [Werrason deplores the cancellation of his concert at the Zénith in Paris]. Latempete.info (in French). September 21, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "Press kit for Noël Werrason Ngiama Makanda" (PDF). Idamawatu.tripod.com. p. 6. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Kanka, Joseph (July 27, 2001). "Congo-Kinshasa : Wenge Musica maison Mère réclame un peu partout à travers la capitale : Werrason à Naïrobi le week-end prochain" [Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge Musica maison Mère is calling all over the capital: Werrason in Nairobi next weekend]. Lephareonline.net/ (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Ayorinde, Michael (February 2011). "Werrason: un seigneur à Paris" [Werrason: a lord in Paris]. Afrique magazine (in French). Paris, France. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  23. ^ Tijani, Achraf (April 12, 2022). "DRC: Congolese music fans rejoice as Werrason and JB Mpiana finally reconcile". The Africa Report. Paris, France. Retrieved July 8, 2023.