Madilu was 19 when he started his career in Kinshasa’s thriving music scene in 1969. Over the next fifteen years he sang with Orchestre Symba, Papa Noel’s Orchestre Bambula, Sam Mangwana’s Festival des Maquisards and his own Orchestre Bakuba Mayopi, but his career thus far neither revealed nor promised anything out of the ordinary (in an extraordinary milieu). It was Franco who made a star of Madilu System (as the big man had dubbed him). "Mamou (Tu Vois)," the record that introduced the new T.P.O.K. Jazz singer, was a hit in 1984. Madilu followed that up with his own composition for the band, "Pesa Position." Then came "Mario" and "Reponse de Mario" in ‘85 and perhaps the best of the Franco-Madilu duets, "La Vie des Hommes" in ’86.
Congo has bred singers with more impressive range, more force or sweeter tone than Madilu, but very few who sang with his expressiveness, his ability to vivify character with his voice. It was this quality that Franco appreciated so well. He and Madilu shared the lead vocals on many of Franco’s story-songs, Franco singing the narrative and Madilu assuming the role of the protagonist.
When Franco died in 1989, T.P.O.K. Jazz ceased making music for one year, then came together again with Madilu as one of the leaders. In the ensuing years he was a key participant in several of the band’s reunions on stage and in the studio, but at the same time he established himself as an independent artist. Of all the T.P.O.K. Jazz veterans, perhaps only Sam Mangwana had a stronger solo career than Madilu – and Madilu, unlike Sam, never lost his huge fan base in Kinshasa, even while he lived in Paris and Geneva. And yet he always remained an avid collaborator. Some of his best records were duets with peers such as Pépé Kallé, Nyboma Mwan-dido, M’bilia Bel and Josky Kiambukuta. In 2006 he joined the Congolese supergroup Kékélé for Tapale, one of the highlights of the album Kinavana, and in 2007 he reprised “Mario” in a stellar cameo with Africando. His voice was deeper and even huskier than it had been in the original recording, but if anything he rode that war-horse with even more panache than he had 22 years earlier.
Madilu System released a new album, La Bonne Humeur, the summer of 2006, and the first impression of many listeners was that it might be the finest of his career. He went to Kinshasa at the beginning of august 2007 to film videos of his new songs. He collapsed Friday the 10th of August and was taken to the University Hospital, where he died the next morning.
Kupanda
Madilu System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le graand Baoba
Aza na don ya diamant
2) Telema, Kumpanda, to bina rumba oyo
Ko boya te, Eloge, ezali nango odemba
Na lingaka moto nayo ezala pene ya lipeka nanga
3) Mwa lisolo na litoyi oh
Wana otie nga de l'assurance
Nzoto nangai ekomi assurer, mama eh
4) Kombo nayo eh
Kumpanda eh Mfumu Bwala abenga
Nazali lokola
Moto ya kwiti aluka naye se kopo
Nazali lokola
Moto ya maladi aluka naye se monganga
5) Dokotolo se yo
Amour oyebi naza omega
Na luka yo na ba nganda na zua te
Na luka yo na mafinga na zua te
6) Nzoka ozalaki na kati ya bible
Na se ya losambo
Amour vraiment naza omega
Ko kabelaka nga mosolo te
Lakisa nga mosala
7) Mabala ya lelo ekoma ya ba interet
Bango na boswani biso na ba love
Bango na bitumba biso na koyoka
Lindanda ya Chico Mawatu
8)Na mongongo ya Madilu System
Ngai litshombe nayo
Yo couvese nanga eh
9) Ndeko ya Di Makombo
Ko bongolaka nayo ndoto te realite eh
Ndoto eza nde mystere
Kombo nayo na lolemo na nga
Na balola ntuku
10) Likukuma ba pesa yo
Yango na linga, na lula
11) Amour oyebi naza omega
Na luka yo na ba nganda na zua te
Na luka yo na mafinga na zua te
Nzoka ozalaki na kati ya bible
Nase ya losambo
12) Amour vraiment naza omega
Ko kabela nga mosolo te lakisa nga mosala
Mabala ya lelo ekoma ya ba interet
Bango na boswani biso na ba love
13) Bango na bitumba biso na koyoka
Lindanda ya Chico Mawatu eh
Na mongongo ya Madilu System
14) Bazuwa eh
Bwaka na moto ya mbabula to na fulu
Ya nga nayo quantite te qualite
Naza omega
15) Yanga nayo eko suka awa te
Nani yango akoki ko kabola biso
Kaka liwa eh akoki oh
16)Olangwisi nga Kupanda
Na amour nayo ngo ya silence na ninganaka te
Sekele nayo ya libala
Na bomba yango lokola ebembe
Nakende na yango nase ya mabele
17) Eloge eh tiya ngai bipayi olingi
Eloge eh teka ngai bipayi olingi
Ata na wenze
Moto asomba te eh yayo eh
18) Ko lela na ngai awa eh
Eza ko koma te
Est-ce que epayi ozali, Eloge, oza ko yoka ngai
Lopango eh nani akokoto
Fungola eza na maboko nayo
19) Banda yo okende
Ba toile d'araignée ebimba
Nani ako longola nga na ndako nayo eh
20) Oko lela ngai eh papa eh
Oko lelan nga mokolo nako kende
Bana na nga na maboko ya mbanda te
Oko luka ngai eh
21) Point faible nayo nayebi oko luka nga
Eko zala trop tard
Nga na maboko ya mbanda
Oko luka ngai eh
22) Oko lela ngai eh, Roger Boko oh
Oko lela ngai, mokolo nako kende eh
Bana nagai na maboko ya mbanda te
Oko lela ngai eh
23) Point faible nayo nayebi oko luka nga
Eko zala trop tard nga na maboko ya mbanda
Oko luka ngai eh, Alpha Myadia
24) Oko lela ngai eh, Remy Eketani eh
Oko lela ngai eh, Claude oh
25) Oko lela ngai eh Elodi ya Mosengo
Oko lela ngai eh, president Nduna eh
26) Oko lela ngai eh, Jean Marie Anyele eh
Oko lela ngai eh, Didi Kinuani
The song "Kupanda" by Madilu System is a powerful tribute to the struggles and triumphs of life. The lyrics are both philosophical and personal, exploring themes of love, faith, and perseverance. At its core, the song is about climbing the proverbial ladder of life, facing the obstacles and challenges that come our way, and never giving up.
The first verse introduces the singer and gives us a glimpse of his world. The reference to "grande baoba" and "diamant" suggest a connection to the natural world and perhaps also to the spiritual realm. The second verse references the importance of dancing and rhythm, and suggests that we must keep moving forward even when things seem difficult or uncertain. The lines "kombo nayo eh, kumpanda eh" suggest that the singer is climbing a ladder and trying to reach the top.
The third verse speaks to the importance of self-assurance and confidence, while the fourth and fifth verses touch on the healing power of both love and medicine. The sixth verse is perhaps the most contemplative, drawing a comparison between a snake and the Bible, and suggesting that love is the ultimate force to be reckoned with. The seventh verse references the passing of musician Chico Mawatu, while the eighth verse speaks to the singer's own creative process and the importance of music in his life.
The final verses continue to touch on themes of love and perseverance, and the idea that we must continue climbing the ladder of life, no matter how difficult or challenging it may seem. Overall, the song is a beautiful blend of music, poetry, and philosophy, touching on universal themes that are relevant to all of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Didi Kinuani
Addressing someone named Didi Kinuani
Le graand Baoba
Referring to a big tree or symbol of strength
Aza na don ya diamant
Indicating that this person is like a diamond
Telema, Kumpanda, to bina rumba oyo
Encouraging to dance to the rhythm of this rumba song
Ko boya te, Eloge, ezali nango odemba
Reminding Eloge that he is the one who made this rhythm
Na lingaka moto nayo ezala pene ya lipeka nanga
Expressing a feeling of love towards someone and comparing it to sugar
Mwa lisolo na litoyi oh
Referring to a story or a tale
Wana otie nga de l'assurance
Saying that he has confidence in himself
Nzoto nangai ekomi assurer, mama eh
Repeating that his heart is assured
Kombo nayo eh
Referring to his own integrity
Kumpanda eh Mfumu Bwala abenga
Inviting someone named Mfumu Bwala to dance
Nazali lokola
Saying that he is like
Moto ya kwiti aluka naye se kopo
Comparing someone to a whistle
Moto ya maladi aluka naye se monganga
Comparing someone to a doctor
Dokotolo se yo
Referring to the listener as 'doctor'
Amour oyebi naza omega
Stating that he knows love well
Na luka yo na ba nganda na zua te
Saying that he hasn't introduced the listener to his family yet
Na luka yo na mafinga na zua te
Saying that he hasn't shown the listener his home yet
Nzoka ozalaki na kati ya bible
Referring to a snake in the Bible
Na se ya losambo
Referring to a love potion
Amour vraiment naza omega
Stating again that he knows love well
Ko kabelaka nga mosolo te
Pleading not to abandon him alone
Lakisa nga mosala
Encouraging to find a way
Mabala ya lelo ekoma ya ba interet
Saying that today's issues are of interest to many people
Bango na boswani biso na ba love
Referring to people who know them as lovers
Bango na bitumba biso na koyoka
Referring to people who know them as friends
Lindanda ya Chico Mawatu
Mentioning the name of someone named Chico Mawatu
Na mongongo ya Madilu System
Referring to Madilu System's music
Ngai litshombe nayo
Claiming ownership of Madilu System's music
Yo couvese nanga eh
Saying that he has covered it well
Ndeko ya Di Makombo
Mentioning the name of someone named Di Makombo
Ko bongolaka nayo ndoto te realite eh
Saying that he doesn't dream about things that won't come true
Ndoto eza nde mystere
Saying that dreams are a mystery
Kombo nayo na lolemo na nga
Referring to his own integrity again
Na balola ntuku
Saying that he is still searching
Likukuma ba pesa yo
Saying that he will keep begging for love
Yango na linga, na lula
Saying that he loves that person strongly
Bazuwa eh
Exclaiming in excitement
Bwaka na moto ya mbabula to na fulu
Saying that he is powerful and fruitful
Ya nga nayo quantite te qualite
Saying that he is not only abundant, but also of quality
Yanga nayo eko suka awa te
Saying that his love will not change
Nani yango akoki ko kabola biso
Asking who will try to separate them
Kaka liwa eh akoki oh
Saying that even death can't separate them
Olangwisi nga Kupanda
Expressing a feeling of sadness about the act of dancing
Na amour nayo ngo ya silence na ninganaka te
Saying that he cannot express his love in silence
Sekele nayo ya libala
Referring to his heart as 'sekele'
Na bomba yango lokola ebembe
Saying that he will take care of his heart like a baby
Nakende na yango nase ya mabele
Saying that he will hold his heart like a precious thing
Eloge eh tiya ngai bipayi olingi
Asking Eloge to listen to him
Eloge eh teka ngai bipayi olingi
Asking Eloge to take him seriously
Ata na wenze
Saying that he has always been sincere
Moto asomba te eh yayo eh
Saying that he will not stop his love
Ko lela na ngai awa eh
Asking to stay with him
Eza ko koma te
Saying that it's not difficult
Est-ce que epayi ozali, Eloge, oza ko yoka ngai
Asking Eloge if he still knows him
Lopango eh nani akokoto
Asking who knows the solution
Fungola eza na maboko nayo
Saying that he has the solution
Banda yo okende
Saying that he is leaving
Ba toile d'araignée ebimba
Referring to spider webs
Nani ako longola nga na ndako nayo eh
Asking who will take care of his house
Oko lela ngai eh papa eh
Asking why his father left him
Oko lelan nga mokolo nako kende
Asking where he should go now
Bana na nga na maboko ya mbanda te
Saying that his children don't have weapons
Oko luka ngai eh
Saying that he is hurt
Point faible nayo nayebi oko luka nga
Saying that he knows where to hurt
Eko zala trop tard
Saying that it will be too late
Oko luka ngai eh
Saying that he is hurt
Oko lela ngai eh, Roger Boko oh
Addressing someone named Roger Boko
Oko lela ngai, mokolo nako kende eh
Asking where he should go now
Bana nagai na maboko ya mbanda te
Saying that his children don't have weapons
Oko lela ngai eh
Saying that he is leaving
Point faible nayo nayebi oko luka nga
Saying that he knows where to hurt
Eko zala trop tard nga na maboko ya mbanda
Saying that it will be too late
Oko luka ngai eh, Alpha Myadia
Addressing someone named Alpha Myadia
Oko lela ngai eh, Remy Eketani eh
Addressing someone named Remy Eketani
Oko lela ngai eh, Claude oh
Addressing someone named Claude
Oko lela ngai eh Elodi ya Mosengo
Addressing someone named Elodi ya Mosengo
Oko lela ngai eh, president Nduna eh
Addressing someone named president Nduna
Oko lela ngai eh, Jean Marie Anyele eh
Addressing someone named Jean Marie Anyele
Oko lela ngai eh, Didi Kinuani
Addressing someone named Didi Kinuani
Writer(s): Madilu Bialu
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@uwagukijijeelise349
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@evasanouvi849
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@davidmanzambi
Ce WE
@petermuhando578
madilu system
@user-lq5ci5gj6y
❤😊
@obednkuela4894
La musique de mon pays 🇨🇩 le Congo 2023 je suis là !
@westonkumz6450
I love the song 🎉I enjoy playing this music when driving
@immaculeesimvura4249
Madilu. Tu es parti jeune. Mais. Tu nous a laissé de belles chansons de la rhumba congolaise. On les savoure sans se fatiguer. On t'aime beaucoup.
@user-ns5kg2tn6q
Vraiment 😊