Paul Mwanga

Paul Mwanga
Birth name	Paul Munania
Also known as	Mwanga Paul
Born	1932 Angola
Died	2016(2016-00-00) (aged 83–84)
Genres	Congolese rumba
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Instrument	Vocals

Paul Mwanga (1932–2016) was a vocalist and composer. He was one of the early pioneers of Congolese rumba. He was born in Angola.

In 1944, when modern Congolese music was only in its earliest days, Paul Mwanga's music gained popular review among the local public. He began his career working in the company of seminal greats such as Wendo,^[1] and recorded a number of hits on the Opika Label teaming up with famous "Hawaiian" style guitarist Jhimmy^[2] (Zacharie Elenga).

Around 1950 or 1951 Nicolas Kasanda, later to be popularly known as Docteur Nico, made his debut singing behind Paul Mwanga.^[3]

In 1958 Mwanga signed to the young recording label Ngoma, which began a new period for him where his fame reached its height for his career. At the time he was one of the principal artists recording in the language Kikongo.^[4]

Mwanga died in 2016. Shortly before that, he took part in Alan Brain's documentary The Rumba Kings, released in 2021.^[5]

References

1. Liner notes in Ngoma Super 45t – Série des Grands Succès No.1004 (in French). Ngoma Record Label.
2. Stewart, Gary (17 November 2003). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. pp. 34–36. ISBN 1859843689.
3. Stewart, Gary (17 November 2003). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. p. 39. ISBN 1859843689.
4. Liner notes in Ngoma Super 45t – Série des Grands Succès No.1004 (in French). Ngoma Record Label.
5. "The Rumba Kings - The Official Site of the Documentary Film". Retrieved 8 October 2022.