Pépé Kallé

Pepe Kalle (given birth to: Kabasele Yampanya) was musically and physically large. Blessed using a multi-octave vocal range and a powerful stage existence, the six feet three inch, 3 hundred pound, vocalist recorded a lot more than three hundred music and 20 albums during his two decade-long profession. Known affectionately as “the elephant of African music” and “La Bombe Atomique”, Kalle excited audiences along with his sturdy performances. Understanding how to sing inside a chapel choir, Kalle was mentored by Joseph Kabasele, “Le Grand Kalle”, in whose house he resided and worked in trade for music and vocal teaching. Producing his professional debut as an associate of Kabasele’s music group, African Jazz, Kalle shaped his own music group, Bella Bella, with vocalist Nybomba, later on of Sam Magwana’s African All Celebrities, in the 1970s. His biggest work, however, arrived through the 1980s when he shaped and performed with Empire Bakumba. A genuine showman, Kalle’s concerts are kept in mind for his playful exchanges having a dwarf, Emauro. While he mainly caused his own music group, Kalle collaborated with Zaiko Langa Langa and people of Alright Jazz.