Congolese music star Fally Ipupa has been made a knight of the National Order of the Leopard (one of the Democratic Republic of Congo's most prestigious state honours, awarded solely by the president to eminent public figures), following a career in which he has brought Congolese rumba to audiences worldwide. The 48-year-old, who recently became the first African artist to debut at number one on the French album charts and sold out Paris's 80,000-capacity Stade de France on consecutive nights, said he felt "immense pride and deep emotion" at the distinction. Accepting the honour, Ipupa dedicated it to the Congolese people, saying it "celebrates Congolese music, our culture, our identity, this force that unites us and elevates us beyond borders."