During his career, Tabu Ley composed up to 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums.
Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu was born in Bagata, in the then Belgian Congo. His musical career took off in 1956 when he sung with Joseph "Le Grand Kallé" Kabasele, and his band L'African Jazz. After finishing high school he joined the band as a full-time musician. Tabu Ley sang in the pan-African hit Indépendance Cha Cha which was composed by Grand Kallé for Congolese independence from Belgium in 1960, propelling Tabu Ley to instant fame. He remained with African Jazz until 1963 when he and Dr Nico Kasanda formed their own group, African Fiesta.[6] Two years later, Tabu Ley and Dr. Nico split and Tabu Ley formed African Fiesta National, also known as African Fiesta Flash. The group became one of the most successful bands in African history, recording African classics like Afrika Mokili Mobimba, and surpassing record sales of one million copies by 1970. Papa Wemba and Sam Mangwana were among the many influential musicians that were part of the group. He adopted the stage name "Rochereau" after the French General Pierre Denfert-Rochereau, whose name he liked and whom he had studied in school.
In 1970, Tabu Ley formed Orchestre Afrisa International, Afrisa being a combination of Africa and Éditions Isa, his record label. Along with Franco Luambo's TPOK Jazz, Afrisa was now one of Africa's greatest bands. They recorded hits such as "Sorozo", "Kaful Mayay", "Aon Aon", and "Mose Konzo". They performed also at the Zaire 74 and therefore are in the documentary film Soul Power.
In the mid 1980s Tabu Ley discovered a young talented singer and dancer, M'bilia Bel, who helped popularise his band further. M'bilia Bel became the first female soukous singer to gain acclaim throughout Africa. Tabu Ley and M'bilia Bel later married and had one child together. In 1988 Tabu Ley introduced another female vocalist known as Faya Tess, and M'bilia Bel left and continued to be successful on her own. After M'bilia Bel's departure, Afrisa's influence along with that of their rivals TPOK Jazz continued to wane as fans gravitated toward the faster version of soukous.
After the establishment of Mobutu Sese Seko regime in the Congo, he adopted the name "Tabu Ley" as part of Mobutu's "Zairization" of the country, but later went into exile in France in 1988.
In 1985, the Government of Kenya banned all foreign music from the National Radio service. After Tabu Ley composed the song "Twende Nairobi" ("Let's go to Nairobi"), sung by M'bilia Bel, in praise of Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi, the ban was promptly lifted. In the early 1990s he briefly settled in Southern California. He began to tailor his music towards an International audience by including more English lyrics and by increasing more international dance styles such as Samba. He found success with the release of albums such as Muzina, Exil Ley, Africa worldwide and Babeti soukous. The Mobutu regime banned his 1990 album "Trop, C'est Trop" as subversive. In 1996, Tabu Ley participated in the album Gombo Salsa by the salsa music project Africando. The song "Paquita" from that album is a remake of a song that he recorded in the late 1960s with African Fiesta.
When Mobutu was deposed in 1997, Tabu Ley returned to Kinshasa and took up a position as a cabinet minister in the government of new President Laurent Kabila. Following Kabila's death, Tabu Ley then joined the appointed transitional parliament created by Joseph Kabila, until it was dissolved following the establishment of the inclusive transitional institutions. In November 2005 Tabu Ley was appointed Vice-Governor of Kinshasa, a position devolved to his party, the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) by the 2002 peace agreements. He also served as provincial minister of culture. In 2008, he was said to have fathered up to 102 children, including the French rapper Youssoupha, with different women.
He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history." He was dubbed "the African Elvis" by the Los Angeles Times.
Tabu Ley Rochereau died on 30 November 2013, aged 76, at Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels, Belgium where he had been undergoing treatment for a stroke he suffered in 2008. He was buried on 9 December 2013 in the Cimetière Acropolic de la N'sele in Kinshasa, DR Congo, after receiving an official mourning ceremony at the Palais du Peuple.
Londende
Tabu Ley Rochereau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kombo na nga oh oh sukali na monoko
Kombo na nga oh oh lokoso ya ko loba
Ayebaka te nazali muasi ya moto
Nga na ye to sololaki se mokolo moko
Mokolo ya mposo, to sololaki nga na ye
Alobaki azali mobali ya sérieux, a kobombaka mbongo ya l′état
Ngo oh mosolo ya ko tangaka, oh na tiki
A ko longola epayi na ko salaka
A ko futa ticket po na kende poto
A ko zua ba voiture po esalaka taxis
Mobali na ko linga maloba sukali
A tiyaka bolingo na mosolo esika moko
Oyo nioso mpo Nga n'a linga ye
Atuta tolo se na caisse ya l′état
Na sala nini nga pesa nzoto na ndimi ye
Na ko lia, na ko kanisa oh mibali ya Kinshasa lobi Eko ngindela biso
Ba voitures, na lopango lobi ba ko botola Tika Nga na luka bilamba
Ba mibali ya Kinshasa oh ba mibali, bino nde ba loka bino
Eko kota yo boloko, yeba na zali muana ngayi na ko zela yo te
Oohhhh yo!
Heee! soum-djoum
Hé-hé- hé hé soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye ye ye soum-djoum
Ye ye eh eh soum-djoum
The lyrics of Tabu Ley Rochereau's song "Londende" can be interpreted as a reflection on love, relationships, and societal expectations.
In the first verse, the lyrics talk about the challenges and complications of love. "Londende ya bolingo eh kanga yeee" means "the love journey is difficult, hold on." Tabu Ley is expressing that love is not always easy and straightforward. "Kombo na nga oh oh sukali na monoko" refers to the personal struggles and emotions involved in a relationship. Love can be sweet and delicious, but it can also bring pain and difficulties. "Kombo na nga oh oh lokoso ya ko loba" suggests that the singer is facing the gossip and judgment of others regarding their relationship. They are acknowledging that people talk and judge, but they are determined to stay together despite the criticisms.
The second verse highlights the frustration and challenges faced by the singer in their daily life. "Ayebaka te nazali muasi ya moto" means "I can't bear it, I am a human being." This reflects the pressures and responsibilities placed upon them. "Mokolo ya mposo, to sololaki nga na ye. Alobaki azali mobali ya sérieux, a kobombaka mbongo ya l′état" translates to "Every day, I ask myself if I'm with the right person. He claims to be serious, but he uses the state's money for his own benefit." The lyrics suggest that the singer is questioning their partner's integrity and their motives regarding the use of public funds.
In the third verse, the lyrics touch upon the societal expectations and the sacrifices made for love. "Mobali na ko linga maloba sukali" means "the man I love speaks sweet words." The singer is attracted to the charming words of their partner. "Atuta tolo se na caisse ya l′état na sala nini nga pesa nzoto na ndimi ye" refers to the singer wondering why they are giving all their effort and money for their partner who seems to misuse public resources. The lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment and questioning about the sacrifices made in the name of love.
The final part of the lyrics is more abstract and consists of repeated chant-like phrases. "Heee! soum-djoum" and "Hé-hé- hé hé soum-djoum" are repetitive sounds that add a rhythmic and melodic element to the song. They may not have a specific meaning but contribute to the overall musical experience and evoke a joyful and celebratory mood.
Overall, "Londende" conveys themes of love's complexities, the challenges of relationships, personal struggles, societal expectations, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Londende ya bolingo eh kanga yeee
Oh the sweetness of love, hold me tight
Kombo na nga oh oh sukali na monoko
My heart is sweet, it beats with desire
Kombo na nga oh oh lokoso ya ko loba
My heart is burning, it longs to speak
Ayebaka te nazali muasi ya moto
Oh, don't be surprised, I am a woman of fire
Nga na ye to sololaki se mokolo moko
I have been trying to tell you for a long time
Mokolo ya mposo, to sololaki nga na ye
Day and night, I've been trying to tell you
Alobaki azali mobali ya sérieux, a kobombaka mbongo ya l′état
He claims to be a serious man, he boasts about his wealth
Ngo oh mosolo ya ko tangaka, oh na tiki
But when it comes to taking action, he hesitates
Soki pe na ndimi alobaki
If I talk, he gets upset
A ko longola epayi na ko salaka
I will look for someone else to love
A ko futa ticket po na kende poto
I will buy a ticket to leave
A ko zua ba voiture po esalaka taxis
I will get a car to avoid taxis
Mobali na ko linga maloba sukali
The man I love is full of sweet words
A tiyaka bolingo na mosolo esika moko
But he hides his love in a distant place
Oyo nioso mpo Nga n'a linga ye
All this time, I have loved him
Atuta tolo se na caisse ya l′état
He spends more time in the state treasury
Na sala nini nga pesa nzoto na ndimi ye
What did I do wrong to deserve his silence
Na ko lia, na ko kanisa oh mibali ya Kinshasa lobi Eko ngindela biso
I cry and pray for the streets of Kinshasa to guide us
Ba voitures, na lopango lobi ba ko botola Tika Nga na luka bilamba
In the streets, cars honk, be careful before I explode
Ba mibali ya Kinshasa oh ba mibali, bino nde ba loka bino
In the streets of Kinshasa, yes, they are watching you
Eko kota yo boloko, yeba na zali muana ngayi na ko zela yo te
It's shaking you up, know that I am not your child to be deceived
Oohhhh yo!
Ohhhhh, you!
Heee! soum-djoum
Heee! soum-djoum
Hé-hé- hé hé soum-djoum
Hé-hé- hé hé soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye ye ye soum-djoum
Hé-hé ye ye ye soum-djoum
Ye ye eh eh soum-djoum
Ye ye eh eh soum-djoum
Writer(s): Tabu Ley
Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alexander LUOBA
on Sacramento
My best song of all time, I really appreciate the Legend Tabu
Adam
on Monsieur Malonga
Can anyone share lyrics for Monsieur Malonga?
I love how this song sounds and would really like to know what it's about. Thanks in advance!
Tony Menzies
on Kimakango Mpe Libala
I would really love to get the lyrics for Aon Aon. It's been a long time favourite of mine. From the 'Dance d'Afrique' LP's