As the fever he caught during his tour grew stronger, he decided to pursue his artistic carrier and moved to France. His reputation as one of the best drummers in France spread very quickly. This allowed him to collaborate on numerous records and toured worldwide with several African artists such as Tshala Muana, Oliver Ngoma, Kanda Bongo Man just to name a few.
But Awilo’s ambition didn't stop there. In 1992 he decided to leave “Viva La Musica” and formed his own group “La Nouvelle Génération” of which he became the leader. This new band became very popular in Europe and produced several albums.
In 1995, the career of Awilo, the singer, took off and he left “La Nouvelle Génération”. He released his first solo album “Moto Pamba” in which he was the composer, the lead singer and of course the drummer. The Techno-Soukous star was born. His success couldn’t be ignored! He finally put the drums down and decided to concentrate on his singing and started touring in East Africa and in Europe. This first CD landed him the “Best Central Africa Artist Awards” at the KORA AWARDS 1996 and 1997 (All Africa Music Awards, held in Sun City, South Africa)
Since then, it has been non-stop for Awilo. His second round in the studio validated his popularity. He released “Coupé Bibamba”, in 1998 with the collaboration of Jocelyne Bérouard. The controversial title cut “Coupé Bibamba” that denounces poverty in Africa with catchy song lines: Comment tu t'appelles? Je m'appelle... Coupé Coupé Bibamba! The title hits the number 1 spot on the African and European charts very quick and stayed for several weeks. Several titles from the same CD followed.
In July 2000, Awilo released his third CD “Kafou Kafou” this CD sent him back to the KORA 2001 where Awilo was recognized for his outstanding contribution to African music and received “Judges Special Awards” during the KORA 2001.
Awilo is the MOST WANTED Congolese artists on the African continent and Europe. He has toured in African counties such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Zambia, Gabon, Mali etc...). Awilo also has toured in Europe (Switzerland, Belgium, Great Britain etc…) as well as the United States.
His talent received notoriety when Sony music requested a remix funk version of his "Coupé bibamba" with James D-Train to be included in the compilation "Tribute to the Funk" released in June 2003 and became a summer hit. The remix will also be included in “African Dance Floor” compilation. Awilo also performed at Zenith concert hall in Paris with other American artists (Jocelyn Brown, Anita Ward, Imagination…) who were part of the compilation.
Awilo has once again demonstrated his talent by producing his latest CD “Mondongo”. It is an electrifying blend of kompas, rumba, R&B and soukouss... with the collaboration of other great African artists such as Lokua Kanza, "Mondongo" is a guaranteed success!.
Manon
Awilo Longomba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo manon wa ngai wa motema aah
Zongisela ngai bolingo ngo ohh
C'est toi ma joie de vivre ehh
Namituni tina o varié boyé
Yo manon wa ngai wa motema aah
Zongisela ngai bolingo ngo ohh
C'est toi ma joie de vivre ehh
Tokabwana oh oh oh soni eh
Moto nioso solo akobungaka eehh
Bakolibisaka ye eh eh ehh
L'amour tu m'a déçu ehh éhh
Toyokanaka boye teh maman moke
Bolingo e pesi ngai loyendo nakomi zoba ehh
Zoba zoba oh oh ohhh ohh ohh
Toi et moi ah ah ah ah
Yo na ngai ah ah suka se lilita oh
Oh ngai na leli manon
Muana ngo a pleurer manon
Nalela se mobimba ya manon ehh
Ba fiti basepeli banguna bayembi
Bakoma nde kosepela
Ngai na leli manon
Muana ngo a pleurer manon
Nalela se mobimba ya manon ehh
Ba fiti ba sepeli banguna bayembi
Bakoma nde ko lela ah aaaaaahh
Hiiihh ye ye ye ye eh
Ba sepelaki mingi ehhhhhh
Mokolo ngo babomaka bana nzambe ehh
The lyrics to Awilo Longomba's song "Manon" express a sense of disappointment and heartbreak in love. The chorus repeats the phrases, "Namituni tina o varié boyé," which means "I am waiting for you, my love," and "yo manon wa ngai wa motema," which translates to "you are my heart's desire." The singer longs for the love of their life, referred to as "Manon," who has caused them great pain. They say, "L'amour tu m'a déçu," which means "love, you have let me down."
Throughout the song, the singer expresses their strong emotional connection to Manon, singing, "C'est toi ma joie de vivre," meaning "you are my joy of life." They also refer to Manon as "yo na ngai," which is a term of endearment, emphasizing the depth of their feelings for this person. However, despite their love, the singer is left feeling heartbroken and abandoned, as their love for Manon seems to be unrequited.
Overall, "Manon" is a song about the complexities and pain of love. It highlights the deep emotions and connections that people can feel towards one another but also acknowledges the disappointment and heartbreak that can come when those feelings are not reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Namituni tina o varié boyé
Dear friends, listen to what I have to say
Yo manon wa ngai wa motema aah
Manon, my heart is calling out to you
Zongisela ngai bolingo ngo ohh
Send me your love, oh
C'est toi ma joie de vivre ehh
You are my joy of living, oh
Nakobanga manon ngai na yo tokabwana
I'm dancing with my Manon and we're having fun
Tokabwana oh oh oh soni eh
Having fun, oh oh soni
Moto nioso solo akobungaka eehh
Everybody is dancing with each other
Bakolibisaka ye eh eh ehh
They are all laughing and having a good time
L'amour tu m'a déçu ehh éhh
Love has disappointed me, oh
Toyokanaka boye teh maman moke
We'll take care of each other, my dear
Bolingo e pesi ngai loyendo nakomi zoba ehh
Love has given me strength to dance and forget my worries, oh
Zoba zoba oh oh ohhh ohh ohh
Dance, dance, oh oh oh
Toi et moi ah ah ah ah
You and me, ah ah ah ah
Yo na ngai ah ah suka se lilita oh
We're together, ah ah, nothing could separate us
Oh ngai na leli manon
Oh, I love my Manon
Muana ngo a pleurer manon
My child is crying for Manon
Nalela se mobimba ya manon ehh
See the joy that Manon brings
Ba fiti basepeli banguna bayembi
Everybody is celebrating and having fun
Bakoma nde kosepela
They're singing and dancing
Ngai na leli manon
I love my Manon
Muana ngo a pleurer manon
My child is crying for Manon
Nalela se mobimba ya manon ehh
See the joy that Manon brings
Ba fiti ba sepeli banguna bayembi
Everybody is celebrating and having fun
Bakoma nde ko lela ah aaaaaahh
They're singing and dancing, ah aaaaaahh
Hiiihh ye ye ye ye eh
Hiii ye ye ye ye eh
Ba sepelaki mingi ehhhhhh
They really know how to party, ehhhhhh
Mokolo ngo babomaka bana nzambe ehh
Tomorrow they will be children of God, oh
Writer(s): Awilo Longomba
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Jay75Euro
Tears in my eyes right now; absolute memories. We had nothing, but this song brought us joy back when it came out
@julionibo3401
From Cameroon, who's still listening to "manon" let's gather here
@billyberry6580
What's manon?
@agawahabdoula8922
@@billyberry6580 no ideal, can you tell?
@albertchigoche727
im here today
@obinnaizuora5013
The irreplaceable Awilo Longomba.
@soniaezinne3857
Still jamming in 2024!!!
@jayednut391
The bass lines are so heart warming.
@barakavictor1296
One of the best bass guitar 🎸 sound i have ever heard.
@christopheremmanuel3477
Dally Kimoko on it sir....!!!