He was enormous, nearly two metres tall and heavily built, and he moved on stage with surprising lightness. Beside him danced Emoro, a performer of very small stature, and the contrast delighted crowds. Pepe Kalle, known as the Elephant of Zaire, was one of the great entertainers of Congolese music. With his band Empire Bakuba, he made soukous that was designed for joy.
Early life and Empire Bakuba
Pepe Kalle was born Kabasele Yampanya in 1951 in Kinshasa, then called Léopoldville. He took part of his stage name in tribute to Joseph Kabasele, known as Grand Kallé, the father of modern Congolese music. He sang with several groups before founding Empire Bakuba in 1972 with fellow singers Papy Tex and Dilu Dilumona. The band became one of the most popular in Zaire, competing with giants such as Zaiko Langa Langa and the bands of Franco and Tabu Ley.
Voice, showmanship and death
Despite his size, Pepe Kalle had a high, sweet tenor voice that surprised listeners. His concerts were famous for dancers, costumes and comic moments. Emoro’s dancing became a trademark of the band. Empire Bakuba released many popular albums and toured across Africa and Europe, where Congolese music was in high demand. Emoro died in the early 1990s, a loss that deeply affected Pepe Kalle and the band.
Pepe Kalle died in November 1998 in Kinshasa. His funeral drew huge crowds.
Legacy and reissues
He is remembered as one of the most entertaining figures in African music, a reminder that soukous was meant to make people happy. His songs are still played at parties across Central and East Africa. Later Congolese performers learned from his showmanship and stagecraft. His co-founder Papy Tex remained a key part of the band’s sound for many years, and their partnership was one of the most stable in Congolese music. After Pepe Kalle’s death, Papy Tex continued to keep the name of Empire Bakuba alive.
Lingala, East Africa and his name
Like most Congolese pop stars of his era, Pepe Kalle sang mainly in Lingala, which helped his songs travel across Central and East Africa. Congolese bands were hugely popular in East Africa, and Pepe Kalle’s records sold well in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The name Kalle linked him directly to Grand Kallé, and he lived up to the honour.
The Elephant of Zaire filled stages with his size and his voice. In Kinshasa, many people still smile when his songs come on.
