Werrason

Noël Ngiama Makanda (born 25 December 1965), known professionally as Werrason, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, composer, producer, philanthropist, and the bandleader of Wenge Musica Maison Mère.^[1][2][3][4] He was a co-founding member of Wenge Musica, a musical group that played a pivotal role in the development of the ndombolo dance music genre during the 1990s.^{[5][4][6][7][8]}

Werrason
Werrason in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Noel Ngiama Makanda
Also known as	Roi De La Forêt Phénomène Igwe Ambassadeur De La Paix Vieux N'Soné Émérite Grand Formateur Papa Formidable Ya Ngiama Ya Père Noël
Born	(1965-12-25) December 25, 1965 (age 59) Kikwit, Kwilu District, Congo-Leopoldville (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Genres	Congolese rumba ndombolo soukous
Occupations	Singer songwriter guitarist record producer arranger dancer choreographer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, multiple instruments, percussion
Years active	1981–present
Formerly of	Wenge Musica
Website	Werrason Official Website

Ngiama is widely recognized as one of the emblematic figures of Wenge Musica. His compositions, such as "Mulolo", "Kin É Bougé" (featuring JB Mpiana), and notably "Kala-Yi-Boeing", are acclaimed as some of Wenge Musica's most distinguished works.^[9][10][11] Following Wenge Musica's disbandment in 1997 due to internal disputes between Ngiama and JB Mpiana, the band split into Wenge Musica Maison Mère, led by Ngiama, and Wenge BCBG, headed by JB Mpiana.^[3][12][13]

In December 1999, Wenge Musica Maison Mère released the ndombolo-infused album Solola Bien!, which achieved gold certification and experienced immediate success across Africa and its diaspora in France.^[14][15][16] In September 2000, Wenge Musica Maison Mère became the second African act to perform and sell out the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy following Koffi Olomidé earlier that year.^[17][18][19] With a career spanning nearly four decades, Werrason has produced numerous successful studio albums, including seven with Wenge Musica, nine with Wenge Musica Maison Mère, and four solo studio albums. Notable solo releases include Kibuisa Mpimpa (2001), Témoignage (2005), Sans Poteau (2015), and 7 jours de la semaine (2017).^[20][21][3]

Aside from music, Ngiama is known for his humanitarian work. He founded the Werrason Foundation in 2000, a non-profit organization that aids orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[5][22] Recognized as an "Ambassador For Peace" and "people's singer" by the United Nations Global Compact,^[22][23] Ngiama is an advocate for UNESCO's initiatives against AIDS and discrimination.^[5]

Career

Early years and formation of Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM)

When Werrason's college band Wenge Musica 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 Zacharie Babaswe, Werrason travelled the country to recruit young musicians. The band's first album, Force d'Intervention Rapide was released on November 28, 1998.^[24][25]

His song "Chantal Switzerland" became a noted song of the year, while his animator Bill Clinton Kalonji was voted best animator.^[26] Their second album, Solola Bien (1999) was successful in the African music scene,^[27] and earned the Gold Record in France.

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,^[28] four months of studio work, and over 2,000 hours of writing. This album won him two Kora awards in South Africa, including^[29] "Best Artist" in Africa and "Best Album" in Central Africa.

Later that year, Werrason performed back-to-back concerts at Zénith Paris, one of the largest concert halls in France. He toured Europe including London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Rome, and Stockholm. The United Nations have awarded him the title of Universal Ambassador of Peace. In 2001, Werrason was received by Pope John Paul II. Since then, he has spoken for UNESCO campaigns against AIDS and discrimination, and in campaigns against early marriages and to promote education for girls. During his world tour, performed with other African artists including^[30] Manu Dibango at the Paris Olympia, Passi, Doc Gynéco, Benji and Akil. Werrason also collaborated with Shaggy.^[31] In the same year, Werrason performed a concert at Stade des Martyrs, which was attended by over 100,000 people.^[32] He also performed for 17,000 at Bercy in 2000.

Controversies

JB Mpiana (middle, dressed red and green) in 2007

In September 2021, the Parisian prefecture announced the cancellation of a large concert of Werrason which was to be held at the Zénith of Paris, citing "risks of serious disturbances to the public order and of attacking the safety of the spectators", in particular with threats of the demonstrations of radical opponents to the regime in place. Werrason has expressed his anger towards France.^[33]

Discography

Albums

For discography with the group, see Wenge Musica Maison Mère.

• 2001: Kibuisa Mpimpa
• 2005: Temoignage
• 2008: Simply The Best Of, Vol. 1
• 2015: Sans Poteau
• 2017: 7 Jours de la Semaine

Singles

• 2013: "I Found a Way" (feat. Mohombi)
• 2014: "Block Cadenas"
• 2017: "Diemba (Balançoire Générique)"
• 2019: "Formidable"
• 2020: "Yeke Yeke" (feat. Bikorine & But Na Filet)

Featured in

• 2021: "RDV" (Picolcrist bil feat. Werrason)

Awards and nominations

Year	Event	Prize	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2001	Kora Awards	Best Male Artist of Africa	Himself	Won	[34]
2001	Kora Awards	Best Male Artist of Central Africa	Himself	Won	[34]
2001	Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo	Best Star	(with JB Mpiana)	Won	[35]
2001	Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo	Best Album	Kibuisa Mpimpa (Opération dragon)	Won	[35]
2001	Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo	Best Composer	Himself	Won	[35]
2001	Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo	Best Orchestra	Wenge Musica Maison Mère	Won	[35]
2002	Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo	Event of the Year	2002 Zénith Paris concert	Won	[36]
2004	Kora Awards	Best Central African Male	(with Félix Wazekwa)	Won
2004	Kora Awards	Best Male African Artist	Himself	Won
2005	Kora Awards	Best Male Artist of Central Africa	Himself	Won
2024	Mundi Music Awards	Best Legendary Artist of the Year	Himself	Nominated	[37]
2024	Mundi Music Awards	Best Phenomenal Artist	Himself	Nominated	[37]