Biography of King Kester Emeneya

Emeneya Mubiala Jean (Kikwit, November 23, 1956), also known as King Kester Emeneya, is a Congolese musician. He was born in Kikwit within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While a student of political science at the University of Lubumbashi in 1977, King Kester joined the band Viva La Musica. After achieving success with several popular songs, he became the most popular African singer in the 1980s and created his own band, Victoria Eleyson on December 24, 1982. Emeneya Djo Kester was innovative with his music. He was the first central African musician to incorporate electronic instruments (synthesisers) in his album entitled Nzinzi. In 1997, after a seven year absence, King Kester returned to Congo. Nearly 80,000 people attended the first concert after his return, which was a record-setting feat according to the Congolese media. King Kester Emeneya has lived in France since 1991 with his family of 8 children. Kester Emeneya has more than 500 songs to his credit and has performed on five continents.