'Molokai' is Papa Wemba's third album with Real World, and also the name of his international band. This live studio performance from one of Africa's greatest stars is a collection of classic hits and newer songs from the late 90's, produced by John Leckie, reflecting that stage of Wemba's musical odyssey.

Molokai reaches far back into Wemba's childhood. Deeply influenced by his adopted mother's vocation as a pleureuse (professional mourner), Wemba here strips down to vocal basics, making his a cappella debut on 'Excuse Me'.

'Molokai' resonates with meanings for Papa Wemba. The word has a specific history rooted in his childhood years in Léopoldville, as Kinshasa used to be called. "Between the years of 1955 and 1960, the missionaries came and showed films in the open air," recounts Papa. "One day they showed us a film called 'Sur L'isle de Molokai'. The principal actor was a missionary called Father Damien who had as a mission to go to the Island of Molokai to heal lepers. After the projection of this film, the elders named our area 'Quartier Molokai'. It sounded pretty good, I think."

And the word became part of Wemba's personal musical mythology when in 1993, while performing as part of Peter Gabriel's 'Secret World Live' tour, he named his international band 'Molokai'.


Esclave (Slave)

What is wrong within me, son of Africa?
I grew up with the whip and with the fear of strangers
All my African Gods have been killed

Slave in America
I farmed the land and worked to build the railroad

Slave in Africa
I was chained up, then auctioned at the Tipo-Tipo market
The road was long to Zanzibar where I was sold
I was then brought to America
Where all my work was to benefit the white man
I ask myself the question
Where are all those who were chained up and brought to America?
I think there are br.......
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