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Iconic Congolese guitarist Lokassa ya Mbongo celebrated

Friday, March 17th, 2023 06:50 | By
The late Lokassa ya Mbongo. PHOTO/Courtesy

The music world is mourning, following the death of celebrated Congolese songwriter and rhythm guitarist Lokassa ya Mbongo.

The guitar master, whose real name is Lokassa Kasia Denis, was born in 1946 in Kinshasa. He died in New Hampshire, US, following a long illness.

Lokassa iconic guitar prowess came into prominence when he teamed up with Tabu Ley of Afrisa International and was with him from 1969 to 1978.

He played with other top bands of the time including Sam Mangwana’s All African Stars, Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi of TP OK Jazz Band and Syrian Mbenza of Four Stars Orchestra among other bands.

His ascendancy to the top came when he teamed up with other stars to form Soukous Stars with the likes of Ngouma Lokito (bassist), Germain ‘Dally Kimoko’ Ndala (lead), with Yondo Sister (main vocalist) alongside Hyacinthe ‘Canta’ Ballou, Neil Zitany and Lukombe Nzambi also known Shimita el Diego.

The group would grow in leaps and bounds, taking the youthful African populace by storm with mega hits such as Nairobi Night.

“Lokassa, whose moniker was Lokassa ya Dollar, (Mbongo meaning money) is credited to having heavily contributed to the evolution and development of Soukous Music, a fast-paced fusion of traditional Congolese melodies and Afro-Cuban rhythms, into an international dance craze.

“He was the thread that made each song a success and he had the Midas touch, any track his fingers laced, would be an instant hit,” says popular Rhumba presenter Titi Nagwala.

“Previously the music played by the older generations the likes of Tabu and Franco was a bit slow, but the younger generation brought the hype and at some point, the continent was almost held ransom by Soukous Stars and the Loketo. Their music was shorter, faster and there was nothing like computer produced rhythms. It had to be done by hand and his was the best,” adds Titi.

When you come to think of it, these special group of artistes promoted Pan- Africanism and unity in the continent,” he says.

He located to the US in the 90s with the band but some of its prominent members including Yondo Sister went independent. He would later locate to Columbia where he had a huge following too.

His death was broken by fellow US-based Congolese musician Mekanisi Modero who said he had been informed about Lokassa’s death by a nurse who had been taking care of him.

His longtime friend and associate Ngouma Lokito was among the first to break the news with a Facebook post.

“The great Baobab Lokassa ya Mbongo has left us,” he posted.

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