Zaïko Langa Langa

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Zaiko Langa Langa (also spelled Zaïko Langa Langa and in other variants)^[1] is a popular Contemporary band from DR Congo. Zaiko was named in 2000, by the , as the best Congolese musical group of the 20th century,^[2] and has been very influential. The word "Zaiko" is a portmanteau for the lingala phrase Zaire ya bankoko, meaning "Zaire of our ancestors", where "Zaire" must be read as a reference to the river by that name, now called Congo. The meaning of the phrase "Langa Langa" is controversial; according to the band's website, it means "marvelous" or "almighty".^[3]

Founded in the early 1969 by , , , Olemi Eshar-Eshar dem'belina and , Zaiko Langa Langa survived into the 2000s (decade), and have been largely popular through the decades. Because of their "rebel" and "hippie" attitude, and their innovative approach to soukous, they became a symbol of the new generations of post-independence Zaire,^[4] and are sometimes compared to the Rolling Stones for their appeal on the Congolese youth.^[5]

The band has experienced several personnel changes, and a number of prominent soukous musicians have been in their lineup; examples are Bozi Boziana, Dindo Yogo, Evoloko Jocker, N'Yoka Longo and Bimi Ombale.^[6] Several soukous band formed as spin-offs of Zaiko Langa Langa; these include Isifi Lokole, Yoka Lokole, Viva La Musica, , Langa Langa Stars, Zaiko Familia Dei, , Choc Stars, , and . This large group of related bands is sometimes referred to as "Clan Langa Langa" (i.e., "the Langa Langa family").

History[]

1969-1974 Early years and the invention of Cavacha[]

The band was formed on December 24, 1969^[7] with the provisional name "Orchestra Zaiko". The original lineup was composed of Papa Wemba, , , , , and Manuaku Waku (also known as Pépé Fely) and N'Yoka Longo.^[8] The band also had a pop section, which was playing before the soukous section, with Bimi Ombale, and . Moanda, Mongombe, Marcelin, Waku, Longo and Bita were all from a former band called .^[9] They were mostly students of Angolans refugees descent coming from upper-class families of Kinshasa.

The sound of Zaiko Langa Langa was revolutionary with respect to the soukous tradition. They adopted a more up-tempo beat, abandoned wind instruments and emphasized snare drums and lead electric guitars (and eventually also synthesizers). The percussion rhythms were adapted from traditional Congolese music and the sebene became more prominent.^[10] Their vocal lines made a large use of the call and response schemes. Their frenetic stage shows featured a frontline of four singers.

Because of these innovations, they are sometimes referred to as the founders of the "third school" of Congolese soukous.^[8] The "first school" is probably that of soukous bands of the 1940s, such as Wendo Kolosoy ans Adou Elenga while the "second school" could be that of Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz and Franco Luambo's OK Jazz. While their "rebel" attitude, which resembled that of the hippie movement, earned them the sobriquet of "Zaire's Rolling Stones".^[5]

Zaiko quickly became one of the most popular groups of Zaire and had a large fan base among Kinshasa's juveniles. In the 1970s, Zaiko's singers Evoloko "Lay Lay" Joker, Papa Wemba, , , and Bimi Ombale popularized a rhythm known as cavacha which was dominated by faster drum and melodic faster lead guitar also called sebene. Also spelled ", that was a decade-lasting craze in most of East Africa. Inspired by the Woodstock movement, Zaiko will introduced the rhythm in mid seventies, which was an even faster drums and lead guitar and pop dancing inspired by James Brown. In 1974, Zaiko Langa Langa were amongst the Zairean bands to be invited to play in Zaire '74, a huge musical event celebrating the Rumble in the Jungle.^[8]

1975-80 Departures and new members[]

In 1975 because of a conflict of leadership between and the band lost some of its most important members in Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, and who left to form Isifi Lokole (with the former three moving on to form in 1976). This first version of Zaiko Langa Langa will deeply mark Zairian music with hits like Mosinzo first recorded Zaiko song, Francine Keller, La tout beige, Chouchouna, Marceline, Liziba, Joliba, Mbeya Mbeya, Onasis, Eluzam, Vie ya Misolo, Bandoki, Mwana Wabi, Mizou, Zena, BP ya munu, and Yo nalinga. After a brief period of inactivity, Zaiko Langa Langa returned in action with a new line up of singers consisting of , Bimi Ombale, , and and released popular songs such as Beli Mashakado, Lisapo, Ma coco, Toli Kulumpe, Toli ya Liyanza, Eboza, Yudasi and 1975 song of the year Elo. In these years Zaiko maintained a prominent position in the soukous scenes, while competing with its own spin-offs such as Isifi Melodia of , Yoka Lokole of , of whose return into Zaiko will be short and later on in 1977 Viva La Musica of Papa Wemba.

The outcome of the personnel changes in the band was the establishment of as the new leader and the band production of the latter 1970s are particularly sophisticated both in terms of melody and orchestration, and the choreography of the live performance was also richer than it was in the early years. In 1975 too saw the establishment of the longest serving front singers of Zaiko in , Bimi Ombale, and who will become for fourteen years the face of Zaiko and impose Zaiko as the ultimate heavy weight of youth music in Zaire. The success of the band was so huge and unprecedented in Zairian music history especially in releasing outstanding songs like Nalali pongi, Zaiko wa wa, Kin Kiesse, Ma, IMA, fololo ya nzembo, omibongisa, Cité d'ambiance, Pacha labaran, Sangela, Nadi, Likamuisi, Diana ya mama, Didina, Vera, Esikebene, Souvenir Djeni, Mangobo, and Misolina. In 1977, Bozi Boziana rejoined the group, followed by and in 1979.

In 1979 with a line up of 10 singers namely , Bimi Ombale, , , , Bozi Boziana, , , and will be revisited by the demons of division. The band will be divided in two groups hostile to each other and pursuing different music philosophy. will lead his group of Bozi Boziana, and the newcomer . too will lead his group of Bimi Ombale, , . The two group will release songs that were artistically different of each other, the group will release 7 sacrament, Kemoussa, Belinda, esengo na bango, Betula and others while group will release Pa oki, Cherie nzembo, Moni Amina, Cherie B Wabi and best song of the year 1979 . The band leader and guitarist who was more focus into his innovative sounds and collaboration in the group where he was experimenting sounds with the pianist Ray Lema with songs like , Revelation, however he will try to unite the two groups with songs like , and but will fail as many band members considered him partisan and favouring the group. On the other hand, another veteran of the band will focus his attention more in releasing songs with the recording studio group than with even scoring 1978 song of the year with Les Casques bleus. The conflict will result in 1980 departure of band leader, co-founder and lead-guitarist , taking with him and to start his own band .

1980-88 Departure of Pepe Manuaku and addition of Atalaku[]

Following the departure of , (also called ) became as lead guitarist and became artistic director. During this period Zaiko Langa Langa released many of their most famous songs including , , , , , , , , and 1981 song of the year .

However there were further internal quarrels and personnel changes with the departure in 1981 of Evoloko, Bozi Boziana and Djo Mali to form Langa Langa Stars, joined a year later by Roxy Tshimpaka. By 1982, N'yoka Longo had become the effective band leader however, there were also some unofficial recordings without his involvement or sanction.^[11]

In 1982 Zaiko introduced maracas and ('animateur' in French or a specialist vocal typically over the 'sebene') in the band. The Atalaku firstly performed solo by in the critically acclaimed album brought in the traditional elements into Zaiko and Congolese pop music. The mixture of maracas, African drum play by and Atalaku (traditional animation) now led by Bebe and Nono will bring huge success to the band as well as revolutionized Congolese popular music.

In 1984, Dindo Yogo arrived as a singer in the band and quickly became the group's dominant solo vocalist.

During this period Zaiko released successful albums regularly. The band was touring Europe and Africa and was the first Zairian band to visit Japan.

1988-1998 Split to Nkolo Mboka and Familia Dei[]

In 1988, the band experienced another major split, between the two leaders of the group Nyoka Longo and Bimi Ombale. The band was divided in two with every musician choosing his camp between the two leaders who were part of Zaiko since its creation. With , , , who were part of Zaiko from its creation staying with Nyoka Longo followed by Dindo Yogo and the band was called then , to differentiate it from the band of Bimi Ombale which was called and had , , and the rest of the musicians that came in the 1980s. Zaiko Langa Langa Familia Dei dissolved in 1986,^[12] after which time N'Yoka Longo's group reacquired the original name "Zaiko Langa Langa", which has maintained until today. N'Yoka Longo is^[when?] still the leader of the group.

1999-present[]

In 1999 a further split came with the dismissal of two other senior members of the band in drummer Meridjo and bassist Bapius, who went on to form the short-lived Zaiko Langa Langa Universel.^[12]

In 2002, Zaiko performed in the mythic arena , France. More than 6.000 fans attended. This was considered by many as the renaissance or rebirth of Zaiko. As early as 1988, Zaiko, being very popular at that time, made plan to perform in Zenith but the great split that occurred in the band stopped it for doing so.

Zaiko spent 6 and half years in Europe (2002–09). Its headquarters ware in Bruxelles, Belgium. But the band gave more concerts in France and other countries around Europe. During that time in Europe, Zaiko released three albums: Eureka (2002), Empreintes (2004), Recontres (2006). In the last album, Nyoka Longo invited many former Zaiko musicians like Malage, Beniko Popolipo; and a retired Congolese musician . He also recruited from Kinshasa, the son of late Dindo Yogo, .

During the time the Band was in Europe, Nyoka Longo, in 2006, charged Lola Muana, who was then in Kinshasa, to form a group that would promote Zaiko music in . Lola recruited and formed a subsidiary group of Zaiko called . , a longtime guitarist bass player who left the group during a minor split of 1999, joined the Ganers too.

The group returned in D.R.Congo in January 2009 with only five musicians: Nyoka Longo, , , Malage de Lugendo, , and Lola Muana. Other members of the group defected and stayed in Europe where they formed a new band named under the leadership of Adamo Ekula. Couple years later, they renamed their new band .

Since his recruitment in Zaiko, Lola Muana was regarded by many as the principal heir of Zaiko. But in 2009, he was forced to quit the group because of his proposal to have a valid work contract with the group. His request was denied by the President of Zaiko, N'Yoka Longo Mvula Jossart. The son of Evoloko, Shou Lay, who backed Lola's request left the group too. In November 2011, Lola Muana was reinstated in the group.

On February 29, 2020, Zaiko Langa Langa played a 50th anniversary concert in Brussels, commemorating the time since its inception on 24 December 1969.^[13][14] The band reportedly opened the 2020 concert with "Pauline," the second song it recorded, from 1970.^{[citation needed]}

Clan Langa Langa[]

Zaiko Langa Langa were both influential in their own right and through their many spin-offs. Most of these maintained a strong link to the original formation, and this is often reflected by the names they adopted. The groups that somehow belong to the Zaiko Langa Langa "franchise" are collectively known as the "Clan Langa Langa". This includes:

• Isifi Lokole (1974-1978)- Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, Evoloko Jocker,
• Yoka Lokole (1975-1979) - Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, Mavuela Somo
• (1980-1989) - Manuaku Waku who was joined by successful singers like , among others
• Viva La Musica (1977–2016) - Papa Wemba, joined by , Dindo Yogo
• (1977-Présent) -
• Choc Stars (1983-2019) - Bozi Boziana, joined by , , Defao
• (1985-Présent) - Bozi Boziana, joined by , , , , , etc.
• Langa Langa Stars (1981–1983) - Evoloko Jocker, Bozi Boziana, Tshimpaka Roxy and
• - N'Yoka Longo, , Dindo Yogo, , , , and . They were joined by Malage de Lugendo, Adamo, Baroza, ,
• (1988-1996) - , , Bimi Ombale, , ,
• (1999–2001)- ,
• (1983-Présent) - Evoloko Jocker
• (1990-1995)- Bimi Ombale
• (1991-2000) - Dindo Yogo
• , Papa Wemba, Evoloko, Bozi Boziana, Gina Efonge
• , Now called (2009-2011), Adamo Ekula, Petit Poisson, Tshanda, Papy Cocaine, etc.
• - Koffi Olomide, King Kester Emeneya, Pépé Kallé, Sam Mangwana, Malage de Lugendo, Madilu System, Rigo Star
• - , Malage de Lugendo, Bimi Ombale, Defao,
• - Papa Wemba, ,
• - Madilu System, Malage de Lugendo,

Discography[]

Albums[]

• Non Stop Dancing (1974)
• Plaisir de l'Ouest Afrique (double album, 1976)
• Gitta Production présente le Tout-Choc Zaïko Langa-Langa (1981)
• Tout Choc (1982)
• Nkolo Mboka (double album, 1982)
• La Tout Neige, Christine & Nalali Mpongui (1983)
• L'Orchestre de tous les Âges (1983)
• Muvaro / Etape (1983)
• Zekete Zekete 2è Épisode (1983)
• On Gagne le Procès (1984)
• Tout-Choc Anti-Choc Zaïko Langa Langa en Europe (1984)
• Zaïko Eyi Nkisi (1985)
• Tala Modèle Echanger (1985)
• Eh Ngoss! Eh Ngoss! Eh Ngoss! (1986)
• Pusa Kuna... Serrez Serrez! (1986)
• Nippon Banzai (1986)
• Papa Omar (1987)
• Subissez les Conséquences (1987)
• Jetez l'Éponge (1989)
• Ici Ça Va... Fungola Motema (1990)
• Jamais Sans Nous (1991)
• Avis De Recherche (1995)
• Sans Issue (1996)
• Backline Lesson One (1997)
• Nous Y Sommes (1998)
• Poison (1999)
• Eureka (2002)
• Empreinte (2004)
• Rencontres (2007)
• Bande Annonce (2011)
• Sève (2019)

Contributing artist

• 1994 : The Rough Guide to World Music

References[]

External links[]

• Official Zaiko Langa Langa homepage
• " Zaiko Langa Langa " 1999 Documentary 52'
• Africa Music Centre