Congolese musician Papa Wemba dies on Sunday in Abidjan

Popular Congolese soukous (rumba) musician, Papa Wemba, dies early Sunday morning after he collapsed on stage during a performance at a music festival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

#BREAKING: Congolese musician #Papa #Wemba dies on Sunday pic.twitter.com/IWH5PmW8KN

— africanews (@africanews) April 24, 2016

The 66-year-old musician is reported to have suffered a seizure at the Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumabo (Femua) after performing two songs. He collapsed during his third song and was later rushed to the hospital by the Ivorian Red Cross.

VIDEO: The moment legendary African musician Papa Wemba slumped while performing on stage at #FEMUA9. pic.twitter.com/beZDcDgLvk #RIPPapaWemba

— NBS Television (@nbstv) April 24, 2016

The organisers of Femua later in the morning held a press conference to officially announce his death.

Point de presse en ce moment de gaouproductions et le Commissaire du FEMUAOfficiel sur l'état de Papa Wemba. #Femua9

— RTI Officiel (@RTI_Officiel) April 24, 2016

Papa Wemba, real name Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He played in bands in Kinshasa from the late 60s when he gained his fame in Africa and subsequently in world music.

He played with Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi and Viva La Musica bands in his time to entertain Africa.

Papa Wemba, who was once a leader of the stylish and elegant Sapeur society, has several albums to his name.

Some of his most popular songs are La Vie est Belle (Life is Beautiful), Show Me the Way and Maria Valencia. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }