Kinshasa, February 11th, 2026 (CPA). – The creation of a cultural framework to honour the memory of singer Joseph Kabasele ‘Grand Kalle’, an iconic figure and pioneer of Congolese rumba, has been recommended during a discussion held on Wednesday in Kinshasa. ‘On the side-lines of the celebration of the forty-third anniversary of his death, we recommend that our Minister of Culture create a music festival as a framework to showcase artists who will perform Grand Kalle’s songs and draw inspiration from his style each year,’ has declared Paul Muabilayi, coordinator of the cultural circle ‘Les portes de Sion’. ‘In addition to this Congolese and African music festival, a carnival celebrating Congolese culture, tribute concerts, art exhibitions and conferences should be organised to raise the profile of DRC,’ he has said, adding that, inspired by the style of Kalle, the carnival will feature parades, dances and concerts. With this in mind, Les Portes de Sion believes that tribute concerts should be organised in iconic venues in Kinshasa and other cities in Congo, with the participation of local and international artists. According to the coordinator of the circle, these events, beyond perpetuating the memory of Grand Kalle and introducing his music to new generations, can help strengthen the cultural identity of DRC on the international stage.
Discovering a new inspiration on the horizon of the padre of Rumba »
« We are in Kinshasa and during the memorable years of the “Padre Rumba”, the world has discovered Joseph Kabasele, known as “Grand Kalle”, with his prodigious melodic imagination, deliciously deep phrasing and unrivalled tonal consistency, yet capable of echoes that can move you to tears, » has testified Clement Ossinonde, a cultural operator based in France. ‘Kabasele was undoubtedly, quite simply, the greatest singer of Congolese rumba,’ he has explained. He has also pointed out that Grand Kalle has made recordings in which he displays a level of inspiration that remains unshakeable to this day, which has made rumba a majestic source of reference in the history of music. ‘Unfortunately, most of Kabasele’s work, released by Surboum African Jazz, is no longer distributed worldwide,’ Ossinonde has concluded.