Pamelo Mounk'a

Pamelo Mounk'a
Pamelo Mounk'a singing at Foire de Brazzaville in 1973
Background information
Also known asPablito, Pamelo M'Bemba
Born
Yves Andre M'Bemba

(1945-05-10)May 10, 1945
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
DiedJanuary 14, 1996(1996-01-14) (aged 50)
Genres
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
Labels
Formerly of

Pamelo Mounk'a (May 10, 1945-January 14, 1996)[1][2][3] was a Congolese singer and songwriter. Born Yves Andre M'Bemba, he was also known as Pablito and Pamelo M'Bemba[4].

Career

Mounk'a (then calling himself Pablito) got his start when he was hired by Jean Serge Essous as a singer in 1963 for Essous' band Les Bantous de la Capitale(fr).[5] He briefly crossed over the river in 1964 to play with Tabu Ley Rochereau's band African Fiesta, before returning to Brazzaville and the Bantous.[3]

In 1972 Orchestre Bantou broke up, with Mounk'a and two other singers forming the group Trio CEPAKOS.[4][3] In 1978 he rejoined Orchestre Bantou to perform at the 11th World Festival of Youth and Students, which he claims he did at the urging of then-president Joachim Yhombi-Opango.[6][3]

After leaving Orchestre Bantou once more, Mounk'a travelled to Paris in 1981. There, he signed on with Eddy'Son records and recorded L'Argent Appelle L'Argent and Samantha, which were hits.[7] According to Graeme Ewens of the Guardian, the former sold over 400,000 copies across Africa.[3] At this point he began going by the name Mounk'a, which according to him is a Teke name meaning glory.[8]

In 1986 he agreed to return to Orchestre Bantou a third time, now as the conductor,[9] though in a few years he had to leave the role due to health issues.[10]

He died in 1996 of diabetes.[11]

Legacy

The Congolese Ministry of Culture erected a bust honoring Mounk'a, among others, in Brazzaville.[12] Members of the band Extra Musica have cited Mounk'a as an influence.[13][14]

Discography

  • Mansuwa (1968, written while part of Orchestre Bantou)[3]
  • L'Argent Appelle L'Argent (1981)[7]
  • Samantha (1981)[7]
  • Selimandja (1982)[7]
  • Propulsion (1982)[7]
  • Ca Ne Se Prete Pas (Africain No.1) (1983)[7]
  • 20 Ans De Carrière (1983)[7]
  • Camitana (1984)[7]
  • Metamorphose (1985)[7]
  • Assetou Diarabi (1985)[7]
  • L'Amour et La Danse (1986, with Orchestre Bantou)[7]
  • Cynthia (1986)[7]
  • Bonne Chance (1989)[15]
  • L’incontournable (1993, compilation album)[16]
  • L’essentiel (1993, compilation album)[16]
  • L’indispensable (1993, compilation album)[16]
  • Les Merveilles du Passé, vol. 2 (1995, with Orchestre Bantou)[17]

References

  1. ^ "Souvenir : Pamelo Mounka vingt ans déjà. | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  2. ^ Jacques, SIKA Jean (2016-01-16). "Pamelo Mounk'a, 20 ans déjà !". Les Echos du Congo Brazzaville (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Ewens, Graeme (21 March 1996). "Pamelo Mounk'a: Sweet voice of the Congo". The Guardian. p. 10. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b Stewart 2000, p. 186.
  5. ^ Stewart 2000, p. 104.
  6. ^ Stewart 2000, p. 237.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Graham, Ronnie (1988). Stern's guide to contemporary African music. African music. London: Zwan. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-1-85305-000-8.
  8. ^ Stewart 2000, pp. 258–259.
  9. ^ Stewart 2000, p. 352.
  10. ^ Stewart 2000, p. 377.
  11. ^ Stewart 2000, p. 381.
  12. ^ Jacques, SIKA Jean. "Brazzaville : Une allée des bustes et des talents pour rendre hommage aux personnalités congolaises et africaines qui ont marqué l'histoire". lesechos-congobrazza.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2025-02-14. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  13. ^ "Roga-Roga : « La musique congolaise stagne à cause des divisions »". Pan African Music (in French). 2019-05-03. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  14. ^ "Doudou Copa de Mi Amor, gardien de la rumba congolaise | adiac-congo.com : toute l'actualité du Bassin du Congo". www.adiac-congo.com. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  15. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). The encyclopedia of popular music. Vol. 6 (4th ed.). New York: MUZE : Oxford University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4.
  16. ^ a b c "RUMBA CONGOLAISE". Syllart (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  17. ^ "Releases – Sonodisc". www.karakosproductions.com. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
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