Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu (13 November 1940 – 30 November 2013), better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading African rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa’s most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr. Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous (African rumba) and internationalized his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American rumba.
He has been described as “the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa’s 20th-century history.” He was dubbed “the African Elvis” by the Los Angeles Times. After the fall of the Mobutu regime, Tabu Ley also pursued a political career. His musical career ran parallel to the other great Congolese rhumba bandleader and rival Franco Luambo Makiadi who ran the band TPOK Jazz throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and ’80s.
During his career, Tabu Ley composed up to 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums.
Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu was born in Bagata, in the then-Belgian Congo. His musical career took off in 1956 when he sang with Joseph “Le Grand Kallé” Kabasele, and his band L’African Jazz.
After finishing high school he joined the band as a full-time musician. Tabu Ley sang in the pan-African hit Indépendance Cha Cha which was composed by Grand Kallé for Congolese independence from Belgium in 1960, propelling Tabu Ley to instant fame.
Tabu Ley Rochereau children: Meet Youssoupha, Melody Bel Ley
Tabu Ley Rochereau’s children are Youssoupha, and Melody Bel Ley.
Tabu Ley and M’bilia Bel later married and had a daughter named Melody Tabu together.
Source: Ghanafuo.com
