Werrason facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Werrason
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Werrason in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Noel Ngiama Makanda |
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| Born | December 25, 1965 Kikwit, Kwilu District, Congo-Leopoldville (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
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| Instruments | Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion |
| Years active | 1981–present |
Noël Ngiama Makanda (born 25 December 1965), known as Werrason, is a famous singer, songwriter, and producer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also leads the band Wenge Musica Maison Mère.
Werrason helped start Wenge Musica, a very important music group in the 1990s. This group helped create the popular ndombolo dance music. Some of his most famous songs with Wenge Musica include "Mulolo" and "Kala-Yi-Boeing".
In 1997, Wenge Musica split up. Werrason then started his own band, Wenge Musica Maison Mère. Their album Solola Bien! (1999) was a huge success, selling very well in Africa and France. In 2000, Werrason's band was the second African group to perform at the big Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris.
Werrason has released many successful albums over almost 40 years. These include seven albums with Wenge Musica and nine with Wenge Musica Maison Mère. He also has four solo albums like Kibuisa Mpimpa (2001) and Témoignage (2005).
Beyond music, Werrason helps people. He started the Werrason Foundation in 2000 to help orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United Nations Global Compact calls him an "Ambassador For Peace" and a "people's singer." He also supports UNESCO's work against AIDS and discrimination.
Contents
Werrason's Music Journey
How Werrason Started His Band
After Werrason's first college band, Wenge Musica, broke up in December 1997, he decided to start a new group. He teamed up with Masela and Dominguez to create Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM). Their band was based in Kinshasa, the capital city.
Werrason traveled around the country to find talented young musicians for his new band. With help from people like Sankara de Kunta, they built a strong team.
First Albums and Big Success
Wenge Musica Maison Mère released their first album, Force d'Intervention Rapide, on November 28, 1998. One of its songs, "Chantal Switzerland," became very popular that year.
Their second album, Solola Bien (1999), was a massive hit in African music. It even earned a Gold Record in France, showing how popular it was.
Werrason's First Solo Album
In June 2001, Werrason released his first album as a solo artist, called Kibuisa Mpimpa. This album had 17 songs and was a double CD. It took him five years to prepare and four months to record.
Kibuisa Mpimpa won him two Kora Awards in South Africa. He was named "Best Artist" in Africa and "Best Album" in Central Africa.
Performing Around the World
Later in 2001, Werrason performed two concerts back-to-back at Zénith Paris, a very large concert hall in France. He then toured many cities in Europe, including London, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
The United Nations gave him the special title of "Universal Ambassador of Peace." In 2001, Werrason even met Pope John Paul II. Since then, he has used his voice to support UNESCO campaigns. He speaks out against AIDS and discrimination, and he promotes education for girls and fights against early marriages.
During his world tour, Werrason performed with other famous African artists like Manu Dibango. He also worked with international artists like Shaggy. In the same year, Werrason held a huge concert at Stade des Martyrs, which more than 100,000 people attended. He also performed for 17,000 fans at Bercy in 2000.
Werrason's Music Albums
Studio Albums
- 2001: Kibuisa Mpimpa
- 2005: Temoignage
- 2008: Simply The Best Of, Vol. 1
- 2015: Sans Poteau
- 2017: 7 Jours de la Semaine
Popular Songs (Singles)
- 2013: "I Found a Way" (with Mohombi)
- 2014: "Block Cadenas"
- 2017: "Diemba (Balançoire Générique)"
- 2019: "Formidable"
- 2020: "Yeke Yeke" (with Bikorine & But Na Filet)
- Songs Werrason Was Featured In
- 2021: "RDV" (Picolcrist bil feat. Werrason)
Awards and Recognitions
Werrason has won many awards for his music and his work. Here are some of them:
| Year | Event | Award | Winner | Result |
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| 2001 | Kora Awards | Best Male Artist of Africa | Himself | Won |
| 2001 | Kora Awards | Best Male Artist of Central Africa | Himself | Won |
| 2001 | Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo | Best Star | Werrason (with JB Mpiana) | Won |
| 2001 | Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo | Best Album | Kibuisa Mpimpa (Opération dragon) | Won |
| 2001 | Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo | Best Composer | Himself | Won |
| 2001 | Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo | Best Orchestra | Wenge Musica Maison Mère | Won |
| 2002 | Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo | Event of the Year | 2002 Zénith Paris concert | Won |
| 2004 | Kora Awards | Best Central African Male | Werrason (with Félix Wazekwa) | Won |
| 2004 | Kora Awards | Best Male African Artist | Himself | Won |
| 2005 | Kora Awards | Best Male Artist of Central Africa | Himself | Won |
Images for kids
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Werrason in 2007
