Werrason Explained

Werrason
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Noel Ngiama Makanda
Birth Date:25 December 1965
Birth Place:Kikwit, Kwilu District, Congo-Leopoldville
(modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Instrument:Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion
Years Active:1981–present
Past Member Of:Wenge Musica
Website:Werrason Official Website

Noël Ngiama Makanda ( 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] [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 the disbandment of Wenge Musica in 1997 due to internal discord between Ngiama and JB Mpiana, the group bifurcated into Wenge Musica Maison Mère under Ngiama's leadership and Wenge BCBG Les Anges Adorables led by JB Mpiana.[12]

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.[13] [14] [15] 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.[16] [17] [18] 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).[19] [20]

Aside from music, Ngiama is renowned for his humanitarian work. He founded the Werrason Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recognized as an "Ambassador For Peace" and "people's singer" by the United Nations Global Compact,[21] [22] Ngiama is an advocate for UNESCO's initiatives against AIDS and discrimination.

Career

Early years and formation of Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM)

When Werrason's college band Wenge Musica split in December 1997, Werrason, Masela, and Dominguez then created Wenge Musica Maison Mère, a band based at Zamba Playa in Kinshasa. With the help of among others Sankara de Kunta and Zacharie Babaswe, Werrason travelled the country to recruit young musicians. The band's first album, Force d'Intervention Rapide was released on November 28, 1998.[23]

His song "Chantal Switzerland" became a noted song of the year, while his animator Bill Clinton Kalonji was voted best animator.[24] Their second album, Solola Bien (1999) was successful in the African music scene,[25] and earned the Gold Record in France.

In June 2001, Werrason released his first solo album Kibuisa Mpimpa, a double CD with 17 tracks. This recording was the result of five years of preparation,[26] four months of studio work, and over 2,000 hours of writing. This album won him two Kora awards in South Africa, including[27] "Best Artist" in Africa and "Best Album" in Central Africa.

Later that year, Werrason performed back-to-back concerts at Zénith Paris, one of the largest concert halls in France. He toured Europe including London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Rome, and Stockholm. The United Nations have awarded him the title of Universal Ambassador of Peace. In 2001, Werrason was received by Pope John Paul II. Since then, he has spoken for UNESCO campaigns against AIDS and discrimination, and in campaigns against early marriages and to promote education for girls. During his world tour, performed with other African artists including[28] Manu Dibango at the Paris Olympia, Passi, Doc Gynéco, Benji and Akil. Werrason also collaborated with Shaggy.[29] In the same year, Werrason performed a concert at Stade des Martyrs, which was attended by over 100,000 people.[30] He also performed for 17,000 at Bercy in 2000.

Controversies

In September 2021, the Parisian prefecture announced the cancellation of a large concert of Werrason which was to be held at the Zénith of Paris, citing "risks of serious disturbances to the public order and of attacking the safety of the spectators", in particular with threats of the demonstrations of radical opponents to the regime in place. Werrason has expressed his anger towards France.[31]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Featured in

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef.
2001Kora AwardsBest Male Artist of AfricaHimself[32]
2001Kora AwardsBest Male Artist of Central AfricaHimself
2001Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du CongoBest Star(with JP Mpiana)[33]
2001Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du CongoBest AlbumKibuisa Mpimpa (Opération dragon)
2001Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du CongoBest ComposerHimself
2001Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du CongoBest OrchestraWenge Musica Maison Mère
2002Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du CongoEvent of the Year2002 Zénith Paris concert [34]
2004Kora AwardsBest Central African MaleWith Félix Wazekwa
2004Kora AwardsBest Male African ArtistHimself
2005Kora AwardsBest Male Artist of Central AfricaHimself

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ngaira . Amos . 20 May 2016 . Singer Werrason's date with Nairobi, Kisumu fans . 29 May 2024 . Nation . en . Nairobi, kenya.
  2. Book: Résistances et dissidences: l'Afrique centrale des droits de l'homme, Volume 2 . 1 January 2003 . Éditions Karthala . 978-2-84586-346-0 . Paris, France . 68 . fr.
  3. Web site: Diala . Jordache . 5 January 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! . 29 May 2024 . Laprosperiteonline.net/ . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  4. Web site: 2020-12-10 . Werrason . 2024-05-29 . Congolese Music.
  5. Web site: 26 July 2012 . Ngiama Makanda Noël alias le phenomene Werrason . Ngiama Makanda Noël aka the Werrason phenomenon . 29 May 2024 . Universrumbacongolaise.com . fr-FR.
  6. Book: Krings, Matthias . African Appropriations: Cultural Difference, Mimesis, and Media . 20 July 2015 . Indiana University Press . 978-0-253-01640-9 . Bloomington, Indiana, United States . 113 . en.
  7. Web site: Otieno . Charles . The return of Wenge Musica . 13 January 2024 . Evewoman Magazine . Nairobi, Kenya.
  8. Web site: 14 April 2022 . 25-Year Wenge Musica Face-Off Appears to End . 13 January 2024 . Afropop Worldwide.
  9. Book: The Beat, Volume 20 . 2001 . Beat Magazine . Melbourne, Australia . 65 . en.
  10. Book: Résistances et dissidences: l'Afrique centrale des droits de l'homme, Volume 2 . 1 January 2003 . Éditions Karthala . 978-2-84586-346-0 . Paris, France . 68 . fr.
  11. Book: The Beat, Volume 19 . 2000 . Beat Magazine . Melbourne, Australia . 32 . en.
  12. Book: The Beat, Volume 26, Issues 2-4 . 2007 . Beat Magazine . Melbourne, Australia . 52 . en.
  13. Book: Rorison, Sean . Congo . 2008 . Bradt Travel Guides . 978-1-84162-233-0 . Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom . 80 . en.
  14. Web site: Diambu . Diambu Di . 7 November 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! . 24 May 2024 . Lephareonline.net/ . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  15. Book: Rorison, Sean . Congo: Democratic Republic – Republic . Bradt Travel Guides . 2012 . 978-1-84162-391-7 . Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom . 83.
  16. Web site: Babunga . Benjamin . 15 September 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 . 24 May 2024 . Babunga.alobi.cd . fr.
  17. Web site: Yunduka . Karim . 29 October 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 . 24 May 2024 . Adiac-congo.com . fr . Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  18. Web site: 21 September 2021 . Werrason déplore l'annulation de son concert au Zénith de Paris . Werrason deplores the cancellation of his concert at the Zénith in Paris . 24 May 2024 . Latempete.info . fr-FR.
  19. Web site: Press kit for Noël Werrason Ngiama Makanda . 24 May 2024 . Idamawatu.tripod.com . 6.
  20. Web site: Kanka . Joseph . 27 July 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 . 24 May 2024 . Lephareonline.net/ . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  21. Web site: 2020-12-10 . Werrason . 2023-07-08 . Congolese Music.
  22. Web site: DRC: Congolese music fans rejoice as Werrason and JB Mpiana finally reconcile . 2023-07-08 . The Africa Report.com . en.
  23. Web site: 3.0 . Digitalcongo.net . October 19, 2011.
  24. Web site: 2018-12-05 . Lyrics translation of Chantal Switzerland by Congolese artist Werra Son . 2023-07-08 . Congolese Music.
  25. Web site: La rumba congolaise . July 11, 2001 . RFI Musique . October 19, 2011.
  26. Web site: Why did volume 2 of the Kibuisa-Mpimpa clips never came ? - Congolese Music - Congo Vibes . 2023-07-08 . congovibes.com.
  27. Web site: Winners . Koraawards.com . October 19, 2011 . March 11, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090311025100/http://www.koraawards.com/Winners.html . dead .
  28. Web site: Werrason – Artiesten 2011 . The Hague African Festival . October 19, 2011 . August 11, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811082133/http://www.thehagueafricanfestival.com/artiesten-2011/werrason . dead .
  29. Web site: Shaggy A Kinshasa ! . Echodynamic.oldiblog.com . October 19, 2011 . August 15, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815105010/http://echodynamic.oldiblog.com/?page=lastarticle&id=638224 . dead .
  30. Web site: Werrason . 2023-07-08 . en-US.
  31. Web site: RDC: le chanteur Werrason en colère après l'annulation d'un concert en France . www.jeuneafrique.com . September 26, 2021.
  32. Web site: Kanka . Joseph . 9 November 2001 . Afrique: Koras 2001 a Sun City: Werrason n°1 d'Afrique . Africa: Koras 2001 at Sun City: Werrason n°1 in Africa . 18 May 2024 . Lephareonline.net/ . Fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  33. Web site: 18 March 2002 . Congo-Kinshasa: Referendum musical 2001 : Werrason et JB Mpiana . Congo-Kinshasa: Musical Referendum 2001: Werrason and JB Mpiana . 26 July 2024 . Lephareonline.net . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  34. Web site: Kanka . Joseph . 15 July 2003 . Congo-Kinshasa: Référendum 2002 : Koffi Olomide a fait carton plein . Congo-Kinshasa: Referendum 2002: Koffi Olomide wins . 26 July 2024 . Lephareonline.net . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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