Lokua Kanza was born Pascal Lokua Kanza in 1958 in Bukavu, in the province of Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the eldest of eight children, with a Mongo father and a Tutsi mother from Rwanda. In 1964, the family went to live in Kinshasa (Congo's capital) in a middle class area, until the day when Pascal's father, a ship's captain, died. His mother then moved to a much poorer area of the city, and Lokua, the eldest, had to work to feed the family. He therefore went to school part time, and took odd jobs, as well as singing in churches. Lokua Kanza sings in French, Lingala, and English.
Baselombo
Lokua Kanza Lyrics
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Mokonzi ya bakonzi
Nionso awa na se
Baselombo
Mokonzi ya bakonzi
Nkolo na nga
The lyrics of the song Baselombo by Lokua Kanza are in Lingala language and reflect on themes of spirituality and faith. The opening lines "Mokano na ye esalama oh oh" translates to "His peace is always with us oh oh," referring to the peace of God that is always present, even in difficult times. The next line "Mokonzi ya bakonzi" means "the King of kings" emphasizing the powerful divine presence that the song is referring to. The refrain "Nkolo na nga Baselombo" means "My Lord Baselombo," which is a nickname for the Christian God.
The song speaks of the comfort and security that comes with having a strong faith in God, and the lyrics suggest that the singer and their community can rely on God's protection and guidance in all situations. The repetition of the phrases "Mokano na ye esalama oh oh" and "Mokonzi ya bakonzi" uses a call-and-response pattern that is common in African music and enhances the spiritual and communal aspect of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Mokano na ye esalama oh oh
Her beauty radiates and brings peace to my soul
Mokonzi ya bakonzi
She is the queen of all queens
Nionso awa na se
Everything is at her feet
Baselombo
She is like a precious diamond that can never be replaced
Mokonzi ya bakonzi
She is the queen of all queens
Nkolo na nga
She is my goddess
Writer(s): KANZA LOKUA
Contributed by Blake S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.