King Kester Emeneya

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Emeneya Mubiala Jean, (November 23,1956- ) also known as King Kester Emeneya is popularly recognized as the King of Congolese music. He was born in Kikwit within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While a student of politicals sciences at the University of Lubumbashi in 1977, King Kester joined the band Viva La Musica. After achieving success with several populars songs, he became the most popular singer of the 1980s in Africa and created his own band entitled Victoria Eleyson on December 24, 1982. Kester Emeneya and his band enjoyed great success within the World, being decerned a lot of internationals awards and the titles of the best artist of the Congo from 1982 to 1989. Emeneya Djo Kester was also innovative with his music. African music history records that he was the first central African musician to incorporate electronic instrument(keyboard) in his album entitled Nzinzi. In 1997, after seven years absence, King Kester returned to the Congo and was welcomed by crowds estimated at 2 million people. Nearly 80,000 people attended the first concert of his return, which was a record-setting feat according to the Congolese media. King Kester Emeneya has lived in France since 1991 with his wife and 8 children.Kester Emeneya has more than 500 songs to his name and has performed on five continents. He is the model for the new generation of African musicians.