Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay (13 March 1958 – 10 December 2022), known professionally as Tshala Muana, was a singer and dancer from Congo-Kinshasa. Considered the "Queen of Mutuashi", a traditional dance music from her native Kasai region, she is often called "Mamu National". Early life Tshala Muana was born on 13 March 1958, in Lubumbashi, Belgian Congo, present day Democratic Republic of Congo. She was the second of ten children of Amadeus Muidikayi, a soldier, and Alphonsine Bambiwa Tumba, a housewife.
In 1964, when Muana Muidikay was 6 years old, her father was murdered. She was raised by her mother, who died in 2005.
Career Muana started her artistic career as a dancer for the musical band Tsheke Tsheke Love in 1977 before turning to singing. She is famous for several songs such as "Karibu Yangu". She toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and global scene and recorded over 20 albums. Her music has appeared in the soundtrack of the popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City .
Personal life In November 2020, Muana was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), reportedly for her song "Ingratitude", which was interpreted by many to be a veiled criticism of President Felix Tshisekedi, toward his former mentor and predecessor, President Joseph Kabila. The singer was a public supporter of former President Joseph Kabila and his party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).
Death In June 2020 she was rumored to have died, but was instead hospitalized after having suffered a stroke.
On 10 December 2022, Tshala Muana died in Kinshasa, at the age of 64.Tshala Muana, Congolese Singer With Danceable Messages, Dies at 64 Musician Deli Kongoli mourned her death, honoring her as a "monument in the promotion of Luba music."
Discography Albums 1982: Kangungu 1983: Tshala Muana à Paris [volumes 1 to 4] 1984: Tshala Muana 1985: M'Pokolo 1985: Kami 1988: Nasi Nabali 1988: La Divine 1988: Biduaya 1989: Munanga 1990: Tshibola 1990: Mady 1990: Tshala Muana Dans Un Duo Pour L'Éternité With Papa Wemba 1991: The Flying Star 1994: Ntambue 1996: Mutuashi 1999: Pika Pende 2003: Malu 2004: Tshanza 2007: Tshikuna Fou 2009: Sikila 2016: Lunzenze
Singles and EPs 1981: "Amina" / "Tshebele" 1987: "Antidote" 1988: "Karibu Yangu"
References
External links Tshalamuana.ifrance.com Discography
Rumba on the River bio of Tshala Muana