Papa Wemba was one of the very first musicians to join the influential Soukous band, Zaiko Langa Langa when it was created on December 24, 1969 in Kinshasa (Capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) along with such well known Congolese musicians as Nyoka Longo Jossart, Manuaku Pepe Felly, Evoloko Lay Lay, Teddy Sukamu, Zamuangana Enock, Mavuela Simeon, and others.
In a Congolese musical world dominated at the time by Franco Luambo and his remarkable band TPOK Jazz, Tabu Ley Rochereau's Afrisa, and by then-new musical groups like Les Grands Maquisards, Le Trio Madjesi, and even younger bands like Bella-Bella, Thu Zaina and Empire Bakuba, the young and talented Papa Wemba (then known as Jules Presley Shungu Wembadio), was one of the driving forces that by 1973 made Zaiko Langa Langa one of the most-performing dominant Congolese groups, featuring such popular numbers as "Chouchouna" (Papa Wemba), "Eluzam" and " Mbeya Mbeya" (Evoloko Lay Lay), "BP ya Munu" (Efonge Gina) and "Zania" (Mavuela Somo).
In December 1974, at the pinnacle of their fame (and just a month after the Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa), Shungu Wembadio (Papa Wemba), along with Evoloko Lay Lay, Mavuela Somo and Bozi Boziana (who'd joined Zaiko Langa Langa a year earlier), left Zaiko Langa Langa to establish their own musical ensemble Isifi Lokole, ISIFI being an acronym for "Institut de Savoir Ideologique pour la Formation des Idoles." In July 1975, Shungu Wembadio officially adopted the soon-to-be-well-known worldwide artist name Papa Wemba, the addition of "Papa" (father) an allusion to what were in fact rather awesome family responsiblities as the first son in a family where both father and mother (Wemba's parents) had been deceased since the 1960s.
The "feux d'artifice" (fireworks) that was Isifi Lokole would only last a year, with the single "Amazone" (Papa Wemba) as its biggest commercial "hit" record. In November 1975, Papa Wemba, Mavuela Somo and Bozi Boziana abandoned Evoloko Lay Lay and Isifi Lokole to create the group Yoka Lokole (also known as The Kinshasha All-Stars, or Lokole Isifi, or simply Isifi), along with Mbuta Mashakado, another Zaiko Langa Langa 'transfusion.' Yoka Lokole enjoyed slightly less popular success than the original Isifi Lokole, but for a time still managed to remain at the top the African pop music wave with hit songs like "Matembele Bangui", "Lisuma ya Zazu" (Papa Wemba), "Mavuela Sala Keba", and "Bana Kin" (Mavuela Somo).
Like Isifi Lokole, the electronic-instrument driven Yoka Lokole (or The Kinshasha All-Stars) would not last much longer than a year, given the merger of so many big-name talents in the band's lineup. After a year of modest success, controversies within Yoka Lokole over money and prestige (complicated by Wemba's arrest and brief incarceration in Kinshasa Central prison in December 1976 for the 'crime' of being suspected of having had physical intimacy with an influential army general's daughter) would lead Papa Wemba, then feeling diminished by peers and neglected by the public, to form his own group Viva la Musica in February 1977.
At his home in the Matonge neighborhood of Kinshasa, Papa Wemba structured Viva la Musica around young talented artists like singers Kisangani Esperant, Jadot le Cambodgien, Pepe Bipoli and Petit Aziza, guitarists Rigo Star, Syriana, and Bongo Wende. The group had nearly instantaneous success, with hit songs like "Mere Superieure," "Mabele Mokonzi," "Bokulaka," "Princesse ya Sinza," and others.
During the height of his success in 1977, Papa Wemba's family home, which had become a popular, some even said hallowed/special place for Matonge youths to gather "à la mode" (i.e., to be cool) was named the "Village Molokai," and Wemba assumed the exalted moniker "Chef Coutumier" (Chief) of the Village of Molokai. In those days people referred to Papa Wemba as the "chief from the heartland (village)" to differentiate him from Kinshasa-born musical bigshots Mavuela Somo and Mashakado. However years later Mavuela would say that their difficulties only simply amounted to trivial foolishness over money, ambition and fame between some very-young people (that at the time they all were).
Since 1977, Viva la Musica has seen both the 'defections' of musicians every two or three years and the entrée and emergence of other new talents. King Kester Emeneya (1977-1982), Koffi Olomide (1978-1979), Djuna Djanana (1978-1981), Dindo Yogo (1979-1981), Maray-Maray (1980-1984), Lidjo Kwempa (1982-2001), Reddy Amissi (1982-2001), Stino Mubi (1983-2001) are among the currently well-known Congolese musicians who have served at one time or another with Viva la Musica. An old Kinshasa anecdote says that a college student then-named Antoine Agbepa Koffi was such an impressive songwriter that one day in 1977 Papa Wemba exhorted, "Ooh! l'homme idee" (Oh! the idea-man!) thereby on-the-spot renaming the impressive young singer-songwriter Koffi 'Olomide'--and the name stuck!
After the wave of African emigration to Europe in the 1990s, Wemba maintained one group in Kinshasa (called at times "Nouvelle Ecriture," "Nouvel Ecrita," and now again "Viva la Musica") and another one in Paris ("Nouvelle Generation," "La Cour des Grands," and now "Viva Tendance"). He has also consistently maintained a very high profile in World Music with such great hits as "L'Esclave" (1986), "Le Voyageur, Maria Valencia" (1992), "Foridoles, Dixieme Commandement" (1994), "Emotion" (1995), "Pole Position" (1996), "Fula Ngenge" (1999), "Bakala dia Kuba" (2001), and "Somo Trop" (2003). Many would assign Wemba the status of African-music "living legend," as few others in history could claim (Franco Luambo, Tabu Ley Rochereau, and Miriam Makeba certainly among them).
Papa Wemba is also known as an actor. In 1987, he played the male lead role in the successful Zairean (Congolese) film La Vie est Belle by Belgian director Benoit Lami and Congolese producer-director Ngangura Mweze.
Référence
Papa Wemba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bankana eee
Bokeba maboke ya limbondo botiaki na makala ma ko zikaee
Haaaa
(De préférence chantaient en quatuor)
Motema eza mondoki te ma
Ekobeta ntango ya likamba
Lelo likambo likueli nga
Nzoto mobimba esundoli mpasi
Nionso na motema ma
Ize Bonga na leli e
Zaïre mboka moko ebosani lokola nkasa
Oy′esi ekweya na nzete
Mpasi na ngai eza nse mobesu
On est mieux chez soi baloba
Bonheur na ng'ekoti découvert mawa
Solo vocal1
Bolingo esekwe na référence
Bruxelles epaya Charufa eee
Choeurs: Kokamua te
Soki na zongi kuna epai to bandaka nai na ye
La référence
Elok′oyo l'amour e ndima niongo te mwana mama a
La référence
Motema na nga okzokisi etikali n'ango
Nse bongo
That is good
That must be
Papa Wemba, Sam manguana and Maikamunan
Around the world
Egeto yeye
Kamata ela mama mpanzi
Na malinga
Kasi malembe
Olidor Onema tika basala bamesana kotia zelo na loso
Mopepe ekoska na libanga
Elikya na nga ya bolingo
Esuki awa na maboko ma yo
Iye mama aaaa
Elisabeth Morera
Za paul Onema
Suka
Na kati ya butu na leli
Mbetu ezindi na pinzoli
Photo na yo opesaki ngai
Ekoma etoko ya mawa
Esengo na nga elati elamba te
Esika nini na sepelisa nzoto ngai muana mama
Nakeyi kobina ata na référence
Tongo sa
Mpo souci elongwa
Mpo mpasi elongwa
Keba
Iyeeeee iye mamaaaaa
Solo vocal1
Bolingo esekwe na référence
Bruxelles epaya Charufa eee
Choeurs: Kokamua te
Soki na zongi kuna epai to bandaka nai na ye
La référence
Elok′oyo l′amour e ndima niongo te mwana mama a
La référence
Motema na nga okzokisi etikali n'ango
Nse bongo
Eeeee
Oyoki ooo
Koloso
A sukuma Asukuma Asukuma Asukuma
Ha ha ha ha hi hi hi hein bokul
Na moni lokola to kutani
Bayoka′ngo lelo
Manguan
Oyebi hein
Ntaba aliaka nse na moloyi ya singa na ye
Kasi mokobo moyindo
Bongo moyindo te
Oyali na raison ndeko
The song Référence by Papa Wemba is a tribute to the love of his life. In the beginning, he sings about the importance of being with the one you love, and in the chorus, he repeats the phrase "La référence" which means "the reference," referring to the woman being the standard for all others. He talks about how he doesn't care about material things, as being with his love is more important than anything else. Throughout the song, he expresses how his love for her is unmatched, and he even mentions wanting to die and be buried holding her hand.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of identity and cultural pride. Papa Wemba sings about being from Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and how it is important to remember and celebrate one's roots. He speaks of the joy and happiness he feels when he is at home and how it is better to be there than anywhere else. The references to his culture and country show that he is proud of where he comes from and how it has shaped him.
Overall, Référence is a powerful love song that highlights the importance of love, identity, and cultural pride.
Line by Line Meaning
Huuuum oka
The song begins with this introductory sound.
Bankana eee
A term of endearment or greeting to the audience.
Bokeba maboke ya limbondo botiaki na makala ma ko zikaee
Dancing and bouncing to the rhythm of the song with nothing weighing us down.
Haaaa
An interjection conveying the passion and excitement of the music.
(De préférence chantaient en quatuor)
A note to singers that this song is best performed in four-part harmony.
Motema eza mondoki te ma
The heart is not naive, it knows what it wants.
Ekobeta ntango ya likamba
Dancing to the rhythm of the drum, a traditional and important aspect of Congolese music.
Ekobetaka ntango inso valeurs nano na yebaki te
Dancing to the rhythm is engraved in our values, we cannot give it up.
Lelo likambo likueli nga
Today the subject matter (of love) concerns me.
Nzoto mobimba esundoli mpasi
My full heart trembles at the sight of her hips.
Nionso na motema ma
Everything is in my heart.
Ize Bonga na leli e
I am calling out to Bonga, the woman I love.
Zaïre mboka moko ebosani lokola nkasa
Zaïre is one country with a culture that cannot be emulated.
Oy′esi ekweya na nzete
People are always on the move, looking for better opportunities.
Mpasi na ngai eza nse mobesu
My feet are not tired, I can dance forever.
On est mieux chez soi baloba
We are better off at home, let's not forget our roots.
Bonheur na ng'ekoti découvert mawa
I have found happiness in an unexpected place.
Solo vocal1
This is a solo part.
Bolingo esekwe na référence
Love is inspired by a reference, a model or a source.
Bruxelles epaya Charufa eee
A reference to a Congolese nightclub in Brussels called Charufa.
Choeurs: Kokamua te
The chorus echoes and emphasizes the importance of the reference.
Soki na zongi kuna epai to bandaka nai na ye
If I return to her village and ask for her hand, will she accept me?
Elok′oyo l'amour e ndima niongo te mwana mama a
Love knows no borders or boundaries, my dear mother.
Motema na nga okzokisi etikali n'ango
My heart is committed to her, I will never leave her.
Nse bongo
That's right.
Egeto yeye
An expression of joy, happiness.
Kamata ela mama mpanzi
Hold onto me, dear mother.
Na malinga
With ease, without worry.
Kasi malembe
But slowly, without haste.
Olidor Onema tika basala bamesana kotia zelo na loso
Even if they criticize us, let's keep dancing like no one is watching.
Mopepe ekoska na libanga
The party is in full swing, we are dancing non-stop.
Elikya na nga ya bolingo
My faith in love.
Esuki awa na maboko ma yo
Let's hold hands and dance together.
Iye mama aaaa
An utterance of bliss, excitement.
Elisabeth Morera
A shoutout to a notable person named Elisabeth Morera.
Za paul Onema
A shoutout to a notable person named Za Paul Onema.
Suka
Jump, dance.
Na kati ya butu na leli
In the middle of the night.
Mbetu ezindi na pinzoli
My heart beats faster and faster.
Photo na yo opesaki ngai
Your photo has captured my heart.
Ekoma etoko ya mawa
This is the beginning of a new relationship.
Esengo na nga elati elamba te
My happiness cannot be contained or hidden.
Esika nini na sepelisa nzoto ngai muana mama
Why would I apologize for my feelings, my dear mother?
Nakeyi kobina ata na référence
I will not shy away from acknowledging my inspiration or influence.
Tongo sa
Let's dance.
Mpo souci elongwa
Let's forget our worries and enjoy ourselves.
Mpo mpasi elongwa
Let's dance the night away.
Keba
Let's go!
Eeeee
An expression of excitement, enthusiasm.
Oyoki ooo
An exclamation of joy, exhilaration.
Koloso
A reference to an instrument in Congolese music.
A sukuma Asukuma Asukuma Asukuma
A call to keep dancing, keep moving to the beat.
Ha ha ha ha hi hi hi hein bokul
Laughter and joy.
Na moni lokola to kutani
I see you, just like we met for the first time.
Bayoka′ngo lelo
Let's dance (literally, we are dancing today).
Manguan
A nickname or term of endearment for Papa Wemba.
Oyebi hein
You know it, right?
Ntaba aliaka nse na moloyi ya singa na ye
I am lost in the beauty of her voice.
Kasi mokobo moyindo
But the rhythm continues, the music never stops.
Bongo moyindo te
I will never give up the music.
Oyali na raison ndeko
You have a good reason, my brother.
Solo vocal1
Another solo part.
Bolingo esekwe na référence
Love is inspired by a reference, a model or a source.
Bruxelles epaya Charufa eee
A reference to a Congolese nightclub in Brussels called Charufa.
Choeurs: Kokamua te
The chorus echoes and emphasizes the importance of the reference.
Soki na zongi kuna epai to bandaka nai na ye
If I return to her village and ask for her hand, will she accept me?
Elok′oyo l′amour e ndima niongo te mwana mama a
Love knows no borders or boundaries, my dear mother.
Motema na nga okzokisi etikali n'ango
My heart is committed to her, I will never leave her.
Nse bongo
That's right.
Writer(s): Maika Munan, Wembadio Shungu
Contributed by Layla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@olivierarthurkonan3087
J'ai découvert et aimé ce titre à jamais de Wemba en 1994 à la Fac à Abidjan dans la chambre d'un cousin Mambi Keïta.
J'en suis tombé amoureux jusqu'à aujourd'hui. C'est la sonnerie d'appel d'un de mes numéros de téléphone.
Je pense sincèrement que l'album Foridoles est le meilleur de Papa Wemba.
Lorsque j'ai commencé à travailler en 1999, j'ai acheté cet album et ma première mini-Chaîne Sony à 565 mille francs CFA soit près de 850 euros.
Wembadio n'est pas mort le 24 Avril 2016, il est là à jamais avec nous.
🙋♀️💋👏👍
@zubizaretazubizareta3253
Oui le meilleur album de Papa Wemba
@tipibetotv7603
Qui écoute ça encore à 2020? Repose en paix papa
@kinshykemy3194
J'écoute ça fort !!!💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
@mayisisbiarnes8593
Ces ma chanson préférée de tous les temps
@guy-michelkouraiibo4980
Moi j'écoute tjrs et j'écouterai
@benmondo8924
2022 nous sommes toujours presents .
@konamavoungou52
Toujours à fond dans les enceintes !!!
@jeromebadibalowa4090
Papa wemba nous souffrons de ton absence parmis nous mais nous pouvons rien contre la mort ce la force de Dieu...paix à ton âme Papa...
@ahmedelengwe3462
Tres bien parlé