Pepe Kalle

Born
1951 
Active Decades
19001020304050607080902000 
 
by Craig Harris
Pepe Kalle (born: Kabasele Yampanya) was musically and physically huge. Blessed with a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the six foot three inch, three hundred pound, vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums during his two decade-long career. Known affectionately as "the elephant of African music" and "La Bombe Atomique", Kalle thrilled audiences with his robust performances.



Learning to sing in a church choir, Kalle was mentored by Joseph Kabasele, "Le Grand Kalle", in whose home he lived and worked in exchange for music and vocal training. Making his professional debut as a member of Kabasele's band, African Jazz, Kalle formed his own band, Bella Bella, with singer Nybomba, later of Sam Magwana's African All Stars, in the 1970s. His greatest work, however, came during the 1980s when he formed and performed with Empire Bakumba.



Read More
    

If you like this artist, you may also enjoy...
Emeneya Kester, Yondo Sister, Bopol, Soukous Stars, Pablo Lubadika, Franco