Orchestre Stukas | |
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 Gaby Lita Bembo playing piano in the 1970s | |
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| Origin | Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
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The Orchestre Stukas (also referred to as the Stukas Boys, the Stukas or the Stukas of Zaire) was a Congolese soukous band of the 1970s. It was based in Kinshasa, Zaire (now DR Congo). At the apex of their popularity, the Stukas were led by singer and showman Gaby Lita Bembo. [1]
The Stukas were founded by Alida Domingo in 1968. Since the band's early years, when the Stukas mostly played James Brown covers, two members of its personnel emerged as the most talented: singer Gaby Lita Bembo (who reportedly "set the audience on fire" with his on stage dancing) and guitarist Samunga Tediangaye, nicknamed "the professor". Also acclaimed guitarist Dodoly (nicknamed "the sewing machine" for his high speed solos) began his career in Stukas before his successful experience in Bozi Boziana's Anti Choc.
While great soukous bands such as Zaïko Langa Langa, Bella Bella or OK Jazz competed with each other for the favors of the Kinshasa youth, Stukas deliberately played in the outskirts, for the people in the suburbs, who could hardly afford going to the venues downtown to see musical shows. In the 1970 they already had a relatively large number of followers, so that they were invited by television channel Voix du Zaire to play in their shows. They became so popular that the Zairean authorities eventually put pressure on Voix du Zaire to let the Stukas appear on TV on a daily basis, because their shows helped "keep the children out of the streets". The Stukas also became the top band of the "Para fifi" club, one of the most important venues of Kinshasa. [2]
In 1974, Stukas were invited to play at Zaire '74, a great musical event that was meant to introduce the so-called Rumble in the Jungle, i.e., the boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. In Zaire '74, the Stukas had the chance to play side by side with international stars such as Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, B. B. King, and even their favourite James Brown. As a consequence of the Stukas' much appreciated performance at the event, Lita Bembo was acclaimed as the best Congolese artist of 1974 in a readers' poll of the popular Congolese newspaper Salongo. [2]
Since 1977, Stukas experienced several personnel changes. Some of its members were invited to play by great soukous bands such as Yoka Lokole and Bozi Boziana's Orchestre Anti-Choc. Lita Bembo eventually left, to relocate to Brussels, where he began a new career as a producer and sound engineer. The Stukas recorded at least one album without Lita Bembo, called Ballade a Libreville. [3] Lita Bembo also recorded some solo albums while he was in Europe, in the mid-1980s.
Congolese music is one of the most influential music forms of the African continent. Since the 1930s, Congolese musicians have had a huge impact on the African musical scene and elsewhere. Many contemporary genres of music, such as Kenyan Benga and Colombian Champeta, have been heavily influenced by Congolese music. In 2021, Congolese rumba joined other living traditions such as Jamaican reggae music and Cuban rumba on UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list.
Soukous is a genre of dance music originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. It derived from Congolese rumba in the 1960s, with faster dance rhythms and bright, intricate guitar improvisation, and gained popularity in the 1980s in France. Although often used by journalists as a synonym for Congolese rumba, both the music and dance associated with soukous differ from more traditional rumba, especially in its higher tempo, song structures and longer dance sequences.
Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, known professionally as Papa Wemba, was a Congolese singer and musician who played Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo. Dubbed the "King of Rumba Rock", he was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa and played an important role in world music. He was also a fashion icon who popularized the Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout the world.
Zaïko Langa Langa is a Congolese rumba band formed in Kinshasa, in December 1969. Established by D.V. Moanda, Henri Mongombe, Marcellin Delo and André Bita, the band evolved from the Orchestre Bel Guide National, which is seen as Zaïko's predecessor.
Nyboma Mwan'dido, often simply Nyboma, a prominent Congolese soukous tenor vocalist, has been over a fifty-year span a leading member of several outstanding bands, including Orchestre Bella Bella, Orchestre Lipua Lipua, Orchestre Kamale, Les Quatre Étoiles, and Kékélé, in addition to performing and recording as a solo artist. He is widely recognized as one of the best singers in Congolese music.
Congolese rumba, also known as African rumba, is a dance music genre originating from the Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo. With its rhythms, melodies, and lyrics, Congolese rumba has gained global recognition and remains an integral part of African music heritage. In December 2021, it was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
Théodore Dindo Mabeli, known professionally as Dindo Yogo, was a Congolese singer and musician. He was also called La Voix Cassée.
Mbenzu Ngamboni Bokili, better known as Bozi Boziana, is a Congolese singer, songwriter and bandleader. He has been in several major soukous bands, including Orchestre Bamboula, Minzoto Sangela, Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi Lokole, Yoka Lokole, Langa Langa Stars and Choc Stars, and founded his own band, Orchestre Anti-Choc, which is considered among the most influential of the genre and also notable for introducing up to three female vocalists at any one time into this band all of whom became celebrities in their own right, a tradition which continues up to today.
The Choc Stars are a soukous band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The band was founded in 1983 by Ben Nyamabo, and has since published over 50 albums. The apex of their success was in the 1980s, when guitarist and vocalist Bozi Boziana wrote some of their most appreciated hits, such as Sandu Kotti, Alena, Mbuta-Mutu, and Retrouvailles a Paris. When Boziana left to create his own ensemble, three singers were hired to replace him. Many other talented Congolese musicians have joined the Choc Stars over the years; some of them are Roxy Tshimpaka, Djuna Djanana, Monza Premier, Nzola Ndonga, Nzaya Nzayadio, Zemano Germain Kanza, Djo Mali, Carrol Makamba, Teddy Accompa, Wajery Lema, Ditutala Kuama and Djudjuchet. Most of these were coming from other prominent soukous bands such as Zaiko Langa Langa, Langa Langa Stars, Orchestre Big Stars, OK Jazz, Zaïko Nkolo Mboka and others.
Evoloko Atshuamo, best known as Evoloko Jocker or Lay Lay, is a popular congolese soukous singer. Since the late 1960s, he has been in several major soukous bands, such as Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi Lokole, and Langa Langa Stars.
Isifi Lokole were a soukous band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were founded in 1974. The word "Isifi" is an acronym for "Institut du Savoir Ideologique pour la Formation des Idoles", while the lokole is a traditional Congolese drum. Since Isifi Lokole was mostly composed of former Zaiko Langa Langa members, it is sometimes said to be in the so-called "Langa Langa Clan".
Langa Langa Stars were a popular DR Congo soukous band in the 1980s. The band had the peculiarity of featuring as much as seven lead vocalists, nicknamed the "6 Patrons of Langa Langa Stars".
Yoka Lokole was a soukous band from Zaire founded by Papa Wemba and others in 1975 and disbanded in 1978. Despite its short life, Yoka Lokole was a prominent band in Zaire in the mid-1970s, as its lineup comprised several of the most influential soukous musicians of the times, including Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, and Mavuela Somo. Yoka Lokole's most important members were singers; the vocal ensemble of the group was collectively known as the Fania All-Stars of Zaire. Since most of the soukous "stars" in Yoka Lokole were former members of Zaiko Langa Langa, Yoka Lokole belongs to the so-called "Clan Langa Langa", i.e., the large family of Zaiko Langa Langa spin-off bands.
DodoliKidima or simply Dodoli is a Congo DR soukous guitarist. He is best known for his high speed solos, for which he has been nicknamed la machine a coudre.
Georges Kiamuangana Mateta, known professionally as Verckys, was a Congolese saxophonist, composer, producer, bandleader, and record executive. A significant figure in the evolution of 20th-century Congolese and African popular music, he is referred to as "Verckys", "Vévé", "the man with the iron lungs" and "Wazola Nzimbu". Kiamuangana was the second Congolese artist to establish and independently manage a record label, Éditions Vévé, through which he brought many Congolese musicians to prominence, including Zaïko Langa Langa, Koffi Olomide, Empire Bakuba, Afrisa International, OK Jazz, Langa Langa Stars, Victoria Eleison, Historia Musica, Orchestre Kiam, and others.
Non Stop Dancing is the debut studio album by the Congolese rumba band Zaïko Langa Langa. Produced by Mfumu Muntu Bambi, it was released on the Zaire Music label in late 1974.
Jolie Detta Kamenga Kayobote, professionally known as Jolie Detta or Evangeliste Myriam, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, and evangelist. She made her music debut with Choc Stars between 1983 and 1984.
Bakunde Ilondjoko, known as Bakunde Ilo Pablo, was a Congolese drummer, musician and composer best known for being a long-time member of Zaïko Langa Langa. His drumming was characterized by his powerful hitting and mastery of the hi-hat.
Zaïre 74: The African Artists is a live album of selected performances recorded at the Zaire 74 music festival in 1974, which preceded the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammed Ali. The album was compiled and produced by Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine – who had organised the festival – and was released on Wrasse Records on 26 May 2017.
Cleophas Claude Dieka Mbaki, known professionally as Debaba, Debaba El Shabab, or Debaba Mbaki, was a Congolese singer-songwriter and composer. Born and raised in Kinshasa, Dieka made his public musical debut with the band Véritable Sakana Musica. In 1975, he became a member of Kanako Shiprike Bango orchestra, founded by Tonton Boutshie.
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