Papa Wemba: The moment he collapsed on stage, reactions and tributes

Congolese music star, Papa Wemba is no more.

The king of Rumba suffered an attack while performing at Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and died on April 24, 2016.

Friends, fans, celebrities from far and near, and global media continue to pay tributes to the African music icon.

Dude was a true African Music legend mehn. Had his issues but he was the leader of a culture across generations. #PapaWemba

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 24, 2016

Another music icon gone. RIP #PapaWemba. Africa’s King of Rhumba rock #legend pic.twitter.com/Z60mCCbPpm

— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka9) April 24, 2016

What a great artist!!!! RIP #PapaWemba you have blessed us with your talent and you will forever be in our minds. pic.twitter.com/KYuKv76Jes

— Mesatshwa Madondo (@Mesatshwa) April 25, 2016

https://t.co/t64IG7FPoX Remembering #PapaWemba with our duet on Manu Dibango’s “Ami Oh”.
He had a voice of an angel.

— Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo) April 24, 2016

Legends don’t die….they book shows in another dimension. Thanks for all the vibes. #PapaWemba #RIP pic.twitter.com/810VeNdcaR

— Blitz the Ambassador (@BlitzAmbassador) April 24, 2016

Sad to hear about death of #PapaWemba. A great performer, fashionista and musician. #liveyourbestlife

— Monica Musonda (@monicamusonda) April 24, 2016

#PapaWemba RIP African legend pic.twitter.com/xd4aMB4ae1

— Steve Babaeko (@Steve_eko) April 24, 2016

Wow!! What a way to go. We all have our time but these festivals need better medical teams. RIP #PapaWemba #Congo pic.twitter.com/1HU1SOmBAB

— Thank You #PapaWemba (@MrBasabose) April 24, 2016

Like true soldiers #PapaWemba & #MiriamMakeba died with their boots on – Salute

— African (@ali_naka) April 24, 2016

#PapaWemba features in the most beautiful memories of my teenage years.
So tragic,this year is brutal! #RIPPapaWembahttps://t.co/NhYQoTBBiP

— Prossy (@Pkakooza) April 24, 2016

Africa & the world has lost a great soulful musician. Your music lives on #PapaWemba. Rest in Peace #KorogaFestival pic.twitter.com/8KeeySZkjd

— Chris Kirubi (@CKirubi) April 24, 2016

Papa Wemba rest in peace #papawemba great Congolese legend gone too soon love to your family and children pic.twitter.com/0D51GBWBN1

— MORGAN HERITAGE (@morganheritage) April 24, 2016

#PapaWemba was the soundtrack of Africa. We’ll continue the struggle to teach music so that our kids remember. pic.twitter.com/1UMPmEIV7c

— Wandia Njoya (@wmnjoya) April 24, 2016

#papawemba you will be miss African father of African music Congolese Music some of the best in the world #RIP pic.twitter.com/B9oGbvbHqN

— Gramps Morgan (@grampsmorgan) April 24, 2016

R.I.P Papa Wemba…you charmed the world with your music. Even though you are gone, your legacy lives on #papawemba pic.twitter.com/UPEem737Un

— ROGERS MEROKA (@rmeroka) April 24, 2016

King of Rhumba #PapaWemba, your sudden demise has left many wounded.What a big loss!Go sing for the Angels. #RIP pic.twitter.com/RTR9rX5GuI

— Suzanna Owiyo – OGW (@SuzannaOwiyo) April 24, 2016

Wow!! Another Legend gone Papa Wemba… One of my favorite songs from him is Sai Sai ..RIP

— Dotuncoolfm (@iamDo2dtun) April 24, 2016

Farewell Papa Wemba

— Vimbai Mutinhiri (@Miss_Vimbai) April 24, 2016

Papa Wemba. That voice. Thank you for the music. Come back soon.

— Chris Ihidero (@Chrisihidero) April 24, 2016

I salute an African cultural giant Papa Wemba.Thru yr brand of rumba & sapeur style, u gave confidence, joy 2 millions struggling in poverty

— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) April 25, 2016

That’s the thing about Papa Wemba, and folks like Ismael Lo, Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour. They mentored others. Their music won’t die.

— S. (@saratu) April 24, 2016

Papa Wemba’s death moment looks so surreal. Fitting he died doing the music he loved to do. Fitting that the music stopped when he slumped.

— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) April 24, 2016

Papa Wemba. He did not send anyone anything but music and artistry. Rest Papa. pic.twitter.com/7r9pDIM8yZ

— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) April 24, 2016

My dad introduced me to him, @muthoniDQ broke the news. Today, a day after his death, Im certain #papawemba lives on in me. Through us.

— Edith kimani (@Edith_kimani) April 25, 2016

I am not one to fully wear my heart on my sleeve, but the unfortunate death of #PapaWemba had really touched me! The 1st 6 months of 1996 were easily the toughest time I have ever had to endure! Love, family, and finances were one royal f*** up, but there was no way I was about to pack my bags, leave Jozi, and go crying to Mommy! As is the problem with many guys, I was not willing or prepared to “ask for help” or go cry on someone’s shoulder. It was the music from #PapaWemba’s #Emotions album, that saw me through that dark period! Between that album and #PopsMohamed #HowFarHaveWeCome, I got the healing I needed and managed to pull my s*** together! #RIPPAPA

A photo posted by Thato FreSh Sikwane (@djfreshsa) on Apr 25, 2016 at 5:47am PDT

Thank you for your music #PapaWemba, rest well our Soukous king. #Legend #Soukous #africanmusic

A photo posted by Folu Storms (@folustorms) on Apr 24, 2016 at 5:01am PDT

RIP Grand Defenseur de la Musique Africaine. #PapaWemba

A photo posted by APPROCHEZ REGARDEZ VIDEO (@dxdx.b13) on Apr 24, 2016 at 8:22am PDT

Grand Molokai | La Vie Est Belle, 1987. #PapaWemba #rip #zaire #vintage #rumbacongo #molokai #classic #movie #MwezeNgangura #BenoîtLamy #soundtrack #diaspora #kinshasa #lingalafacile #repost via @jossstinson

A video posted by Sendy Naïke (@sendynaike) on Apr 25, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

Rip ………… @diamondplatnumz @romyjons #flyboy97

A video posted by ÄFRİÇÄN ßÖY|THE ĞREATEST✴ (@godluv_de_breezy) on Apr 25, 2016 at 9:27am PDT