Former colleagues of legendary Congolese guitarist Lokassa ya Mbongo have released a tribute song. The single titled, Lokassa Forever, was composed to immortalise the former band leader of Soukous Stars.
It will be the key highlight this weekend as the musicians join fans in Kinshasa and elsewhere in marking the second anniversary of his death.
Speaking to Saturday Nation, Paris-based Congolese singer Ballou Canta said they had decided to do a rendition of the song, Monica , which was one of Lokassa’s greatest hits.
“We wanted to pay tribute to him by using one of his best songs. This we did by rewriting the lyrics and reinventing the melody and beats,” Ballou Canta explained.
Interestingly, it was Ballou Canta who did the lead vocals on the original Monica song (released in 1986). On the tribute track, he was backed on the vocals by mercurial compatriots Yondo Sister and Shimita El Dielgo.
Lokassa’s guitar wizardry
Notably, Colombian rhythm guitarist Flavio Andres did an amazing carbon copy of Lokassa’s guitar wizardry. Others who took part in the recording were Dally Kimoko (solo guitar) and Ngouma Lokito (bass).
As Ballou Canta pointed out, it was only the Colombian, who after abortive attempts by several others, managed to play Lokassa’s style. At his prime, Colombia is said to have been one of Lokassa’s biggest fan bases for live shows.
The South American country has also been known for hosting Congolese rhumba music performances. Other Congolese greats such as Grand Kalle, Tabu Ley and Franco Luambo Makiadi enjoyed ecstatic followings.
Several Colombian artistes have posted on YouTube renditions of music by some of these great Congolese stars. As Ballou Canta said, they had not planned any live concerts but would instead celebrate Lokassa’s music online.
After leaving Tabu Ley’s Afrisa International band in the late 1977, Lokassa initially pitched camp in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, and other West African cities. He would later settle in France in the early 1980s before moving to USA in the late 1990s.
Musa Juma's 14th anniversary
Lokassa’s popular compositions include Marie Jose, Bonne Anne, Sophia and Adiza.
Matti, Lokassa’s lastborn daughter from a Togolese mother is a physician in Paris. He dedicated the song Matti to her.
The delayed burial of Lokassa ya Mbongo in 2023 was reminiscent of that of top saxophonist, composer and Orchestre Veve band leader Kiamuangana Mateta Verkys.
Lokassa ya Mbongo, who died in March 2023, was buried in December of the same year.
In the local music scene, fans and former counterparts of Musa Juma will this weekend mark the 14th anniversary since his death.
Musa Juma’s most popular songs include Freddie Afune , Christina , Bibuta , Sudan Mpya , Paulo Odundo and Woud Maguti .
Elsewhere, Benga star Linet Aluoch Pamba and her Karapul Jazz band will perform on Saturday at Goono Konyuka Resort in Homa bay County.
