Tshala Muana is an extremely beautiful woman whose musical background is contributing immensely to her service as one of Zaire's top women politicians. She was once a singer and performer, known for her sensuous stage outfits and erotic sexy dancing. The rhythms of "Mutuashi" and the dance style on which she was raised is remarkably similar to Afro-Cuban.
Like most African male and female musicians, her music carries an arrow-piercing messages, which most corrupt governments in Africa find them a bit disturbing. She was among the artists who fled the country for alleged prosecution for her critical songs and settled in Paris, France. When the government of Mobutu came to an end, she returned to her native land, Zaire.
On return, her increasing concern for the welfare of women led to her mobilising scores of women, marching along the streets, expressing solidarity with the government. This caught attention of the assassinated president Laurent Kabila, who drew her into politics. When Kabila's son took over power after his father's death, he retained Tshala in the new government.
Tshala Muana is no longer performing as a musician but her cultural and musical traditions, and her expressing of concern for the welfare of women in her songs, will always be remembered. Her albums "Mutuashi", "Soukous Siren", "Malu", etc reveal those qualities.
Article comments
1 - HW Saxton
Joel,I don't have the time to comment as
in depth as I'd like to. I just wanted
to say that your perspective on musics
from the African diaspora is welcome as
can be and always interesting.As far as
your musical taste go (Mutabaruka,Miriam
Makeba,Tshala,Linton Kwesi Johnson,etc.)
you are the man.When are going to write about Fela Anikalupo Kuti ?
Alafia,
HW