Pépé Kallé

Pépé Kallé, born Kabasele Yampanya in Kinshasa (then Léopoldville) in the Belgian Congo, was one of the most charismatic and towering personalities in Congolese music. He chose the name Pépé Kallé as a heartfelt tribute to his mentor, Le Grand Kallé, the legendary bandleader whose guidance shaped his early artistic path.

Blessed with a multi-octave voice and a naturally commanding stage presence, Pépé Kallé became instantly recognizable—not only for his remarkable talent but also for his extraordinary physical stature. Standing about 210 cm (6 ft 11 in) and weighing 150 kg (330 lb), he moved with surprising agility and joy, captivating audiences with performances that were both powerful and warm. His fans affectionately called him “the elephant of African music” and “La Bombe Atomique,” nicknames that reflected his impact on stage and the explosive energy of his shows.

On November 28, 1998, Pépé Kallé suffered a heart attack at his home in Kinshasa and was rushed to the nearby Clinique Ngaliema. Shortly after midnight on Sunday November 29, Pépé Kallé was pronounced dead. The cause of his death was officially reported to be myocardial infarction . After his death, minister for culture and arts Juliana Lumumba announced that the government would hold a funeral for the fallen hero on December 6. Further she requested that all music performances be halted in his honour.