M’bilia Bel, born Marie-Claire Mboyo Moseka on January 10, 1959, is a Congolese singer and songwriter renowned for her contributions to rumba, soukous, and world music.
Recognized as the “Queen of African Rumba,” she gained prominence under the mentorship of Sam Manguana and Tabu Ley Rochereau.
Rochereau played a crucial role in developing her powerful soprano voice, leading to her acclaim as one of the finest female vocalists in Congo.
Her debut solo studio album, “Eswi yo Wapi,” released in 1981, featured the hit single of the same name, co-composed by Tabu Ley and M’bilia Bel.
The song earned recognition as the Best Song of 1982 in Zaire, with Bel receiving the Best Newcomer award.
The album’s other tracks, including Tabu Ley’s “Lisanga ya Bambanda,” “Kelhia,” and Dino Vangu’s “Quelle Mechancete,” contributed to Afrisa International’s growing popularity, rivaling TP.OK Jazz.
M’bilia Bel’s prominence continued into the mid-1980s, marked by her marriage to Tabu Ley and the birth of their daughter, Melody Tabu.
Her hits, such as “Mobali na ngai wana” and “Balle a terre,” dominated the Congolese music scene, showcasing her vocal prowess and lyrical depth.
The 1987 East Africa tour, spanning Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, culminated in the Nadina album, featuring Lingala and Swahili versions of the title track.
Despite rumors of a Tabu Ley and M’bilia Bel rift upon their return to Kinshasa, both artists publicly denied any issues.
M’Bilia Bel parted ways with the Tabuley’s band in late 1988 to pursue a solo career, initially collaborating with a Gabonese producer in Libreville before joining guitarist Rigo Star Bamundele in Paris.
Their debut album, “Phénomène,” achieved significant success in Kinshasa and internationally.
Despite subsequent releases like “Desolé,” “8/10 Benedicta,” “Yalowa,” and “Exploration” experiencing limited success, Bel’s departure led to a decline in Afrisa International’s popularity, and Tabu Ley’s output of albums decreased noticeably.
After residing in Paris for nearly six years to broaden her European presence, M’bilia Bel returned to the Congolese music scene in 1996.
Teaming up with Maestro Suzy Kaseya, known for his collaboration with Tshala Muana, they released the successful album “Welcome” in 2001, earning Bel a “Kora Award” for Best Female Vocalist of Central Africa.
In 2004, their second collaboration, “Belissimo,” faced challenges, with accusations of neglecting album promotion.
However, her title as the Queen of Congolese rumba saw a resurgence in 2009 when she collaborated with guitar master Lutumaba Simaro on “Mobali Ya Bato,” topping the charts.
Despite facing competition from emerging talents like Marie José Njiba Mbuyi (Mj30) and Cindy Le Coeur, M’bilia Bel maintained her prominence.
In 2010, she performed in Canada and Colombia, receiving the key to the city in Cartagena.
The collaboration with Lokassa Ya Mbongo in 2011 resulted in the album “The Queen,” featuring 13 songs, including “Immigration Fatale” addressing the plight of African children crossing the Mediterranean.
In 2020, M’bilia Bel headlined the Festival Amani, captivating a crowd of 36,000 with iconic hits like “Mpeve ya Longo” and “Yamba Nga” from the 1980s.
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