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Remembering Rhumba maestro Madilu System 18 years later
The legendary Congolese musician Madilu System.
What you need to know:
- Madilu was arguably one of the top singers in the legendary TP OK Jazz band under the leadership of Franco.
- He was the lead vocalist in several TP OK Jazz songs, including Makambo Ezali Minene, Mario and Mamou.
Fans Madilu System will this weekend and the next one commemorate the 18th anniversary since the death of the legendary Congolese musician.
Although no major shows have been lined up, most of the fans appear set to celebrate Madilu’s music through online posts.
Speaking to the Saturday Nation earlier this week, Paris-based singer Nyboma Mwandido said he would this weekend dedicate his show in Antwerp, Belgium to Madilu by performing some of the late crooner’s songs.
“Although we hadn’t planned any major show dedicated to Madilu, we will no doubt perform some of his popular songs as a way of remembering him during our Saturday show in Antwerp,” Nyboma said.
Veteran Congolese singer Nyboma Mwandido.
Nyboma backed Madilu on most of the solo recordings the former produced in France in the 1990s and early 2000. Some of these songs include are RTC Diva, Apula, Biya, Jalousie, Ya Jean and Vice Versa.
Biya was dedicated to Madilu’s widow, Mama Biya Matumuene, who still lives in Paris with their children.
His fans in Kenya will recall how he was a regular visitor at the Kenyan coast. In August 1995, Madilu wedded an older Swiss woman by the name Paulette Juonodi in a private ceremony in Mombasa.
Another of his popular songs, Djaffar, was dedicated to a prominent Mombasa-based businessman and a big fan of his.
Madilu's best compositions
Nyboma revealed that during this weekend’s shows he will be backed guitarists Syran Mbenza, Caen Madoka and Dally Kimoko. Later this month Nyboma and his counterparts are scheduled to perform in London.
Madilu was arguably one of the top singers in the legendary TP OK Jazz band under the leadership of Franco Luambo Makiadi. He was the lead vocalist in several TP OK Jazz songs, including Makambo Ezali Minene, Mario and Mamou.
However, one of his best compositions while still with TP OK Jazz was Pesa Position. Madilu was also a fashion icon, earning him the nickname Le Grand Ninja.
The late Congolese great Madilu System during his heyday with some of his dancers and band members.
Meanwhile, several Kenyan FM Radio and TV stations will in the coming days dedicate shows to Madilu. Veteran radio and TV host Fred Obachi Machoka is expected to dedicate his weekend Roga Roga shows on Citizen Radio and TV to the late Rhumba maestro.
Africa Express (TV47), DJ Ken Ontuga (Le Grand Molakisi) of Inka FM, Francis Luchivya (Milele FM) and Hagai Isanya (Mulembe FM) will host similar shows.
Elsewhere, Congolese songbird Faya Tess, who recently returned from a private wedding performance in Ottawa, Canada, is set to embark on a performance tour of the USA.
Faya Tess is scheduled to perform this Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, then on August 16, in Boston Manchester. On August 23, she is expected to perform in St. Louis, Missouri with a last show on August 30 in Dallas, Texas.
