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Bopol Mansiamina (1949-2021)
(Congo-Kinshasa)
Biography
Bopol Mansiamina (or simply Bopol), is an accomplished rhythm guitar player, bass player, singer and composer.
Since the age of 20 years old, he has played with numerous band, and recorded with various solo artists. In the early years,
he has been associated with Orchestre Bamboula (of Papa Noel),
Rock A Mambo, Dr. Nico's African Fiesta Sukisa (1970) and Orchestre Continental, of which he was
one of the co-founders. From 1973-76, he was part of Tabu Ley's Afrisa, before
he founded Ya Toupas together with Ray Lema and Manuaku. In 1978, he joined
Sam Mangwana's African All Stars in West Africa (Abidjan and Lomé).
In 1979, Bopol decided to go solo and as of 1980, he recorded several albums. In 1982, he settled in Paris, and formed the 1980s super group Les Quatre Etoiles with solo guitar player Syran M'Benza and vocalists Wuta Mayi and Nyboma.
Bopol is respected and loved as a rhythm guitar player but he is equally an excellent bass player, and he sometimes plays on solo guitar. His interplay with solist Syran is legendary and they played frequently together, not only within Les Quatre Etoiles but also on Bopol's solo albums. On his solo albums he was accompanied by several vocalists, such as Assaka Baba Ley, Nyboma, Asi Kapela, Theo Blaise Kounkou, Wuta Mayi, Ballou Canta and Sam Mangwana.
Moreover, Bopol features on numerous albums by other artists, such as Samba Mapangala, Déesse Mukangi, Ricardo Lemvo to mention but a few.
In 1979, Bopol decided to go solo and as of 1980, he recorded several albums. In 1982, he settled in Paris, and formed the 1980s super group Les Quatre Etoiles with solo guitar player Syran M'Benza and vocalists Wuta Mayi and Nyboma.
Bopol is respected and loved as a rhythm guitar player but he is equally an excellent bass player, and he sometimes plays on solo guitar. His interplay with solist Syran is legendary and they played frequently together, not only within Les Quatre Etoiles but also on Bopol's solo albums. On his solo albums he was accompanied by several vocalists, such as Assaka Baba Ley, Nyboma, Asi Kapela, Theo Blaise Kounkou, Wuta Mayi, Ballou Canta and Sam Mangwana.
Moreover, Bopol features on numerous albums by other artists, such as Samba Mapangala, Déesse Mukangi, Ricardo Lemvo to mention but a few.
Bopol Mansiamina
Born: 26 July 1949, as Paul Mansiamina Mfoko, in Kinshasa
Died: 7 November 2021, following a stroke, in Paris
Style: Modern Congolese music / rumba / soukous
Discography
(not including the Quatre Etoiles albums)
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| The Very Best of Bopol | 1998 | H & R ENTS. HR2561 | |
| Akuna Matata | 1997 | H & R ENTS. HR2243 | |
| Koumbe Trahison | 1992 | Afro-Rythmes AR1023 / BM007 | |
| Innovation | 1991 | B.M. Productions BM 005 | LP |
| Belinda | 1989 | Syllart 38776 | |
| Bopol Mansiamina - Syran Mbenza | 1987 | Production Guerry Alain/Distribution Sonodisc | LP |
| Serrez ceinture | 1987 | Syllart | LP |
| Ça c'est quoi? | 1985 | Celluloid CEL 6749 | LP |
| Afric'Ambiance | 1984 | Syllart 8305 | LP |
| Manuela | 1983 | Syllart 8301 | LP |
| Mariage forcé | 1983 | Sacodis LDS 21/001 | LP |
| Besisimou (maillot jaune) | 1981? | MAR 100 | LP |
| Déception Motema | 1981? | Star Musique SMP 6011 | LP |
| Innovation vol.4 | 1980 | Innovation INLP004 | LP, by Baba Ley & Bopol |
| Innovation vol.3 | 1980 | Innovation INLP003 | LP, by Baba Ley & Bopol |
| Innovation vol.1 | 1980 | Innovation INLP001 | LP, by Baba Ley & Bopol |
Sources
www.africanmusiciansprofiles.com/bopol.htm (outdated link);
Bopol Discography on Vibes d'Afrique forum (outdated link).
www.africanmusiciansprofiles.com/bopol.htm (outdated link);
Bopol Discography on Vibes d'Afrique forum (outdated link).
Page added December 2008