KIZUNGU ZUNGU-PAPA NOEL FT CARLITO LASSA LINGALA ENGLISH BOOK WITH SONGS TRANSLATIONS +254722642518

Papa Noël Nedule (1940–2024), born Antoine Nedule Monswet, was a seminal Congolese guitarist and songwriter widely regarded as one of the "Holy Trinity" of Congolese rumba guitarists, alongside Franco Luambo and Docteur Nico. He earned his nickname not from being born on Christmas Day—his actual birth date was December 29, 1940—but as a reverse spelling of his idol's name, Léon Bukasa.
The Birth of a Legend: Papa Noel Nedule's Early Life |
Musical Career and Major Works
Papa Noël's career spanned nearly seven decades, during which he shaped the sound of modern Congolese music:
Early Years (1950s–1960s): He debuted in 1957 with Léon Bukasa and soon joined Rock-A-Mambo in 1958. He was a founding member of Les Bantous de la Capitale in 1961, where he helped define the "Bantu School" of music.
Orchestre Bamboula: In 1967, he founded his own orchestra, which became a training ground for future stars like Pépé Kallé and Madilu System.
TPOK Jazz (1978–1989): Joining Franco's legendary band, he composed massive hits like "Tangawizi" (1982). However, his relationship with Franco soured in 1984 after he released the solo album Bon Samaritain without authorization; it became one of his most successful works.
Late Career and Fusion: After Franco's death in 1989, he moved to France. He co-founded the rumba supergroup Kékélé in 2000 and collaborated with Cuban masters like Papi Oviedo on the album Bana Congo (2002) to explore the shared roots of Congolese and Cuban music.
Death and Legacy
Papa Noël passed away on November 11, 2024, at the age of 83 in Draveil, France, after a long illness. In March 2025, his remains were repatriated to Kinshasa and interred at Gombe Cemetery, resting alongside other Congolese music giants. He is remembered for his "textured" guitar lines and his status as a "poet" of the instrument.