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<bwhite1@po-box.mcgill.ca>
I just wanted to inform the readers of H-Africa that Pepe Kalle (also known
as "L'elephant de l'Afrique"), co-founder and leader of Empire Bakuba,
passed away Saturday night in a Kinshasa clinic after suffering from a
heart attack. The Congolese Minister of Culture has asked for a temporary
halt to all musical performance until Wednesday when a public ceremony will
be held in his honor.
You probably remember that he was at the head of the longest-lasting
musical organization in the country's history (more than 25 years) and he
toured across Africa tirelessly for many years, making him one of the
country's most respected cultural ambassadors. Apart from his velour
vocal style and irresistable 'show chaud' he was also known in Kinshasa as
a friend to the poor and underprivileged. Pepe Kalle's presence as one of
the giants of Congolese modern music is undisputed and his absence will be
a source of great loss for music lovers from all over the continent and
beyond.
His untimely death (which has been linked to the effects of ongoing crisis
in the region) underlines the gravity of a situation which has affected not
only people's ability to express themselves through song and dance, but
also their ability to survive.
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