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Congo music legend Papa Wemba dies after collapsing on stage

He died before reaching hospital, a spokesperson for the Ivosep morgue in Abidjan said

Reuters April 24, 2016 Less than a minute read

congo 039 s most famous musician papa wemba gives his first concert in kinshasa june 26 2004 in this file photo photo reuters

Congo's most famous musician Papa Wemba, gives his first concert in Kinshasa June 26, 2004 in this file photo. PHOTO: REUTERS

Congolese rumba music legend Papa Wemba died after collapsing on stage in the Ivory Coast in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the private morgue where his body was taken.

Wemba, born in 1949, was performing at the FEMUA 2016 festival when he collapsed on stage. He died before reaching hospital, a spokesperson for the Ivosep morgue in Abidjan said.

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Known in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the King of Rumba Rock, Wemba won fans across Africa and Europe and worked with international stars including former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel.