A tale of polemic music and politics in the Congo

The recent arrest of veteran Congolese singer Tshala Muana over her new controversial song, titled ‘Ingratitude’, has evoked memories of similar fights between governments and musicians.

Tshala, the composer of the hit songs ‘Karibu Yangu’, ‘Nasi Nabali’, ‘Tshibola’ and ‘Malu’, among others, was arrested two weeks ago and was released after a day following pressure from former President Joseph Kabila’s PPRD Party.

Speculation was rife in Kinshasa that the lyrics of the song indirectly targeted DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, the son of former opposition politician Etienne Tshisekedi. She is thought to be complaining on Kabila’s behalf that the person he helped to bring to power as his successor had not shown any gratitude.

One of the most memorable altercations between singers and government officials occurred during the days of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. At the centre of the controversy was the great Franco Luambo Makiadi.

The height of Mobutu’s self-styled ‘authencite’ cultural revolution saw the dropping of Christian names and change in attire. Mobutu expected musicians and other artistes to lead in the cultural change by composing relevant songs and dressing appropriately.

However, Franco rubbed the officials the wrong way with the composition of two songs ‘Helene’ and ‘Jackie’, which were considered too indecent to be played in public.

This earned him the wrath of the then powerful Attorney-General Kengo wa Dondo, who had Franco and 10 members of his TPOK Jazz band arrested and charged with producing indecent songs.

Obscene lyrics

The prosecution even invited Franco’s mother, Mama Makiesse, to listen to the supposedly obscene lyrics, and she disagreed with them.

At one time, the prosecution reportedly took Franco to task; to explain how one of the tracks, ‘Helene’, shared a name with his mother.

Despite pleading his innocence, Franco and his 10 band members were convicted and sentenced to two months’ civil jail at the giant IngraMakala Prison in Kinshasa.

However, they were released following a presidential pardon. Franco had been moved to another prison outside Kinshasa due to the unrest his presence was causing at the Makala Prison.

Among those who were jailed alongside Franco were his long-serving band vice-president Lutumba Simaro, guitarists Papa Noel, Gege Mangaya, Thierry Mantuika Makoso and singer Lola Checain.

In an interesting turn of events, soon after his release from prison, Franco composed the song, ‘Tailleur’ (Tailor), which was a satirical mockery of Kengo wa Dondo following his short-lived elevation and demotion as Prime Minister. In the song, he poses: “Okotonga na nini (what will you sew with?)” after his needle was taken away (he was sacked).

The legendary musician would later mend fences with the Mobutu regime and in 1984, he composed the legendary campaign song Candidat na Biso Mobutu.

For Franco’s biggest musical rival, Tabu Ley, formerly Pascal Rochereau until the auntheticite, life was never entirely rosy during the Mobutu regime. In the late 1960s, he was accused of composing a song in support of an opposition politician.

Speaking to the Saturday Nation recently, the United States-based former Afrisa International Band musician and manager Mekanisi Modero confirmed how tricky it was doing songs that appeared to rub the government the wrong way.

“In the late 1960s, Tabu Ley had to go into a brief self-exile in Cote d'Ivoire after releasing a song the Mobutu regime didn't like,” Mekanisi said.

The climax of Tabu Ley’s shaky relations with the Mobutu regime was in 1988 when he left for a tour of Europe never to return until after Mobutu's ouster in 1997 by Laurent Kabila.

He confirmed having brought one of Tabu Ley’s daughters to college in Nairobi in 1988, as they prepared to travel to Europe and settle in the United States.

It was while in self-exile that Tabu Ley released some of his most popular songs such as Muzina and Exil Ley.

On returning home in 1997, the crooner, who died on November 30, 2013, warmed to the new Kabila regime where he was a nominated MP and county minister.

Coup attempt

In the neighbouring Republic of Congo-Brazzaville, one of the most notable ‘musical martyrs’ was the legendary Franklin Boukaka (of Africa song fame). He was executed for his suspected involvement in a coup attempt in 1972.

Boukaka, who recorded songs with Cameroonian legend Manu Dibango, the saxophone maestro, used to perform regularly in both Brazzaville and Kinshasa.

Back in Kinshasa, Koffi Olomide, the colourful bandleader of the Quartier Latin International Band, would also feel the heat from the government. It was the elder Kabila’s government which did not take kindly to the release of the song Loi, French for the law, which contains words that were perceived as an attack on the robust military style of the government.

Also in question was the controversial position deterrie dancing style by Koffi, which portrayed a soldier firing a machine gun then later wailing while limping.

Laurent Kabila had a slight limp in his gait. He was being mocked for having arrived firing gunshots to grab leadership in Kinshasa.

Koffi was last week in Dar es Salaam working on a duet with Tanzanian Bongo star Diamond Platinumz.

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