Pépé Kallé

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Pépé Kallé, born Kabasele Yampanya on November 30, 1951, in Kinshasa, was a Congolese soukous singer, musician, and bandleader. He chose the name Pépé Kallé to honor his mentor Le Grand Kallé. He was known for his strong voice and exciting stage shows.

He started with l'African Jazz, then led Lipua Lipua, and in 1972 formed Empire Bakuba with Dilu Dilumona and Papy Tex. The band revived traditional Congolese rhythms and helped popularize the kwassa kwassa dance. He worked with Nyboma, and their albums Zouke Zouke (1986) and Moyibi (1988) made him famous across Africa. In the late 1980s and 1990s he blended new Paris-style sounds into soukous, and his 1990 Roger Milla album honored the famous football player. He also featured dancers with disabilities in his shows. In 1992, Emoro died on tour.

Pépé Kallé died of a heart attack on November 29, 1998, in Kinshasa. His funeral drew big crowds and he was buried at Gombe Cemetery on December 6. He left five children. He is remembered as a talented musician and a proud representative of his country, who brought generations of Congolese music together.