[1][2] A significant figure in the evolution of 20th-century Congolese and African popular music, he is referred to as "Verckys", "Vévé", "the man with the iron lungs" and "Wazola Nzimbu".

[2][3] He garnered widespread acclaim after joining Franco Luambo's OK Jazz in 1963,[9][10][11][12] where his saxophone solos became integral to hits such as "Bolingo ya Bougie", "Polo le Chipeur", and "Mokoloya Mitano Na Monaki Yo".

[3] In 1962, he played and toured with several groups, including Fauvette Kabangu's Jamel National, Paul Ebengo Dewayon's Congo Jazz, Gérard Kazembe's Oui Fifi and Johnny Bokelo's Conga Succès.

[3] In 1963, Kiamuangana joined Franco Luambo Makiadi's Ok Jazz, alongside trumpeter Christophe Djali, vocalist Henriette Boranzima, and Dele Pedro.

[3][27] Demonstrating his distinctiveness from the outset, Kiamuangana began performing duets with Musekiwa and Dele Pedro on tracks such as Kwamy's "Bolingo ya Bougie", Luambo's "Polo le Chipeur" and "Mokoloya Mitano Na Monaki Yo".

[3][27] He also delivered solo performances on Michel Boyibanda's "Samba Tokosamba", Vicky Longomba's "Tété Ngelele Eleki Ngai", and Joseph "Mujos" Mulamba's "Tuna Mageda".

[30] The label's name, Vévé, was derived from the reduplication of his pseudonym's initial syllable, while its logo featured a saxophone, symbolizing the instrument that had become emblematic of his success.

[30] These recordings, which included Kiamuangana's "Mbula Ekoya Tokozongana" and "Nakopesa Yo Motema", as well as Youlou Mabiala's "Billy Ya Ba Fiancés" and Simaro Lutumba's "Okokoma Mokrisstu", were future's side project.

[34] Determined not to return empty-handed, Kiamuangana absconded on the day of departure and, having purloined Franco's contacts, entrusted his tapes to a publisher, receiving a generous advance with which he acquired two cars.

[30] This arrangement was short-lived, and Kiamuangana eventually severed his affiliation with OK Jazz in February 1969, parting ways with Youlou, who opted to remain with Franco.

[3][27] Orchestre Vévé quickly garnered widespread acclaim, producing hits such as Kiamuangana's "Mfumbwa" and "Bankoko Baboyi" (inspired by a traffic accident), as well as Saak Saakul's "Fifi Solange".

[27][36] That same year, Pépé Kallé was contracted by Éditions Vévé and lent his voice, alongside José Bébé, to Kiamuangana's polemic composition "Nakomitunaka", which was a scathing retort to the Catholic Church's staunch opposition to President Mobutu Sese Seko's Authenticité campaign, which sought to employ music as an instrument of state-sponsored political and cultural propaganda.

[27][37][38] The provocative lyrics, which questioned why saints depicted in religious iconography were exclusively white, generated significant consternation within both the Catholic Church and the broader Congolese Christian community, ultimately leading to Kiamuangana's excommunication.

[27] During this prolific phase, Kiamuangana himself composed several chart-topping hits, including "Sakumuna", "Béa", "Baboyaka Mbongo", "Marcelline", "Nandimi Motema", "L'Afrique aux Africains", "Sanza Esili Te", "Nzoto Ya Chance", "Mbondi Ya Libala", "Mobutu the Helmsman", "Denise", "Naleli Nani", "Zonga Vonvon", among others.

[27] Other band members also contributed significant compositions: "Baloba Yo Mbongo Mingi", "Natuni Namemi Ngambo", "Lina Mapendo", "Sosoliso", "Lucie Nakoloba Nini", and "Moïse ou Anne" by Mario Matadidi; "Sois Sage" and "Reste Avec Moi" by Bovick Ye Bondo; "Marcello Tozongana" and "Pronostics" by Sinatra Bonga; "Loboko", "José Okosambwa", and "Mita Yeba Ngai" by Djeskain Loko; and "Isabo" by Kelly Makiadi.

[27] Around this time, Orchestre Vévé issued the tracks "Papy Baruti" and "Muana Mburu", composed by Francis Bitsoumani, alias Celi Bitsou, with the latter enjoying considerable success.

[27] The orchestra's composition during this period included Tino Muinkwa, Djo Roy, Nejos Tusevo, Pepitho Fukiau on vocals; Lambion on lead guitar; Aladji Baba on accompaniment; Ndolo and Celi Bitsou on bass; Bayard on drums; Ponta Vickys on tumba; Kiamuangana, Dibuidi, and Sax Matalanza on saxophone; and Makamba on trombone.

[27] Luciana De Mingongo transitioned from Viva La Musica to join Orchestre Vévé, replacing Jo Mpoy, who returned to OK Jazz with Dizzy.

[27] Following the incursion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila's Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) into Kinshasa in May 1997, which led to the expulsion of Mobutu and Kabila's subsequent self-proclamation as president on 17 May, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Union Des Musiciens Zaïrois was renamed Union des Musiciens Congolais (UMUCO).