African musician, Werra Son, is often referred to as the King of the forest alongside Igwe of the Jungle. Find out why.
Noël Ngiama Makanda known professionally as Werra Son, is a Congolese musician. Werrason was born December 25, 1965 in Moliembo, a small village in western DRC, in Kikwit region, Kwilu District. Werrason.
Werrason is one of the founding members of musical band Wenge Musica 4X4 Tout Terrain Bon Chic Bon Genre (BCBG) that was founded in 1981 while he was still studying for a degree in Accountancy. Werrason, and his college friends Didier Masela, Adolphe Dominguez, Blaise Bula formed the band and were later joined by J.B Mpiana. After the split of the Original Wenge Musica 4×4 Tout Terrain BCBG he co-founded Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMM) a musical band he created alongside Didier Masela and Adolphe Dominguez.
Werrason is the son of the late Theo Musoko and Albertin Mukala. Werrason has two daughters Gladie Ngiama and Exausee Ngiama both born to his wife Sylvie Masaki aka Mampata. His Brother is gospel singer Patrice Ngoy. Werrason was raised by his uncle the late ‘Daddy’ Kifaya Kassia.
At the age of 8, Werrason was singing in his local church Kinshasa, Congo. He loved martial arts and was a champion of the martial arts at the age of 12.
When Werrason’s college band Wenge Musica 4×4 BCBG split in December 1997. Werrason, Masela, and Dominguez then created Wenge Musica Maison Mère, a band based at Zamba Playa in Kinshasa. With the help of among others Sankara de Kunta and Zachary Babaswe, Werrason travelled the country to recruit young musicians; his primary band members were Masela, Dominguez, Ferre Gola, Baby Ndombe, Seseli Adjani, JDT Mulopwe, Celeo Scram, Bill Kalondji, Serge Mabiala, Didier Lacoste, Lay Chou, Michael Shendu, guitarists Flam Kapaya, Japonaise Maladi, Christian Mwepu, and drummers Papay Kakol and Ali Mbonda. His first album, Force d’Intervention Rapide was released at the end of 1998.
His song “Chantal Switzerland” became a noted song of the year, while his animator Bill ‘Clinton’ Kalondji was voted best animator. His second album Solola Bien (1999) was successful in the African music scene, and earned the Golden Record in France.
In the same year, WMM was voted the Best Congolese Group and Werrason was named artist of the year.[by whom?] In June 2001, Werrason released his first solo album Kibuisa Mpimpa, a double CD with 17 tracks. This recording was the result of five years of preparation, four months of studio work, and over 2,000 hours of writing. Kibuisa Mpimpa was described as “culturally revolutionary” by observers of African music. This album won him two Kora awards in South Africa, including “Best Artist” in Africa and “Best Album” in Central Africa.
Techno Malewa Sans Cess was released in October 2010. Making use of the continental style ‘Coup De Calle’ and new dance moves, the album received great success across Africa and in Europe, and in it Werrason’s versatility was shown. His new young singers Deplik Filla, Fabrice Energie andCafe Roum were given an opportunity to star in songs composed by Werrason. Werrason followed the release of Techno Malewa Sans Cess with his energetic performances at a packed ‘Zenith de Paris’ on March 13, 2010. He later visited Holland, Brussels, Lyon among others.
His African performances including at Bukavu’s Stade de Kadutu will remain long in the memory of many African music fans. In June 2011, Werrason gave a grand performance at Stade de France’sAfrica Night alongside other Great African artists including Meyway, Magic System and Passi and in the same month released a single Primus Diata Bawu. His next album Techno Malewa Suit en Fin is scheduled for release in July 2011.
