Founded in the early 1969 by D.V. Moanda, Marcelin Delo, Henry Mongombe, Olemi Eshar-Eshar dem'belina and Andre Bita, 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, and are sometimes compared to the Rolling Stones for their appeal on the Congolese youth.
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. 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, Basilique Loningisa, Choc Stars, Anti Choc, and Zaiko Nkolo Mboka. This large group of related bands is sometimes referred to as "Clan Langa Langa" (i.e., "the Langa Langa family").
In 2000, Zaiko Langa Langa were awarded by the Congolese Media Association as the best Congolese musical group of the 20th century.
The band was formed in 1969 with the provisional name "Orchestra Zaiko". The original lineup was composed of Papa Wemba, Mavuela Somo, Evoloko Lay Lay, Teddy Sukami, Oncle Bapius, Zamuangana le meilleur and Manuaku Waku (also known as Pépé Fely) and N'Yoka Longo. The band also had a pop section, which was playing before the soukous section, with Bimi Ombale, Mbuta Matima and Mashakado Mbuta. Moanda, Mongombe, Marcelin, Waku, Longo and Bita were all from a former band called Bel Guide National. They were mostly students 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. 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 soukous. The "first school" is probably that of soukous bands of the 1950s, such as Grand Kalle et l'African Jazz and OK Jazz, while the "second school" could be that of Sam Mangwana's African Fiesta. While their "rebel" attitude, which resembled that of the hippie movement, earned them the sobriquet of "Zaire's Rolling Stones".
Zaiko quickly became one of the most popular groups of Zaire, and had a large fan base among Kinshasa's juvenile. In the 1970s, Zaiko's singers Evoloko "Lay Lay" Joker, Papa Wemba, Gina Efonge, Mavuela Somo, Nyoka Longo and Bimi Ombale popularized a dance known as cavacha, also spelled "kavasha, that was a decade-lasting craze in most East Africa.
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.
In the mid 1970s the band lost some of its most important members. Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, Mavuela Somo and Evoloko left in 1974 to create Isifi Lokole; the same year, Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana and Mavuela abandoned Evoloko after a conflict of leadership in the groupe between Evoloko and Papa Wemba to form Yoka Lokole in 1976. In 1980, guitarist Manuaka Waku also founded his own group, Grand Zaiko Wa Wa. After a brief period of inactivity, the band returned in 1975, and in the following years maintained a prominent position in the soukous scenes, while competing with its own spin-offs such as Isifi Melodia, Yoka Lokole and later on in 1977 Viva La Musica of Papa Wemba after he left Yoka Lokole after another conflict of leadership between him and Mavuela Somo. The outcome of the personnel changes in the band was the establishment of N'Yoka Longo as the new leader, and new entries such as Lengi Lenga, Bakunde Ilo Pablo and Likinga. Zaiko Langa Langa's 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 Nyoka Longo, Bimi Ombale, Lengi Lenga and Likinga Redo 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 that all the presonnel that have left the band were queuing to return. In 1977, Bozi Boziana rejoined the group, followed by Mashakado Mbuta and Evoloko in 1980.
Despite new internal quarrels and personnel changes with the departure of Evoloko, Bozi and Djo Mali in 1981 to form Langa Langa Stars, Zaiko Langa Langa were successful throughout the 1980s. The band was touring Europe and Africa regularly and was the first Zairian band to visit Japan. At the end of the decade at the height of their glory and having establish themselves as legends in Zaire, 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 it creation. With Meridjo, Bapius, Matima, Zamuangana who were part of Zaiko from it creation staying with Nyoka Longo followed by Dindo Yogo and the band was called then Zaiko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka, and was considered as the original Zaiko, to differentiate it from the band of Bimi Ombale which was called Zaiko Langa Langa Familia Dei and had Lengi Lenga, Ilo Pablo, JP Buse and the rest of the musicians that came in the 1980s. Later on, N'Yoka Longo's group reacquired the original name "Zaiko Langa Langa", which has maintained until today. N'Yoka Longo is still the leader of the group.
In 2002, Zaiko performed in the mythic arena Zenith of Paris, France. More than 6.000 fans attended. This was considered by many as the renaissance or rebirth of Zaiko. In fact, as earlier 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 based 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 Tony Dee Bokito. He also recruited from Kinshasa, the son of late Dindo yogo, Lola Muana.
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 D.R.Congo. Lola recruited and formed a subsidiary group of Zaiko called Les Ganers de Zaiko. Bapius Muaka, 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, Doudou Adoula, Shou Lay Evoloko, Gege Mangaya and Lola Muana. Other members of the group defected and stayed in Europe where they formed a new band named Les Stars de Zaiko under the leadership of Adamo Ekula. Couple years later, they renamed their new band Zaikas Kolo Mboka.
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.
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 - Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, Evoloko Jocker, Mavuela Somo
Yoka Lokole - Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, Mavuela Somo
Grand Zaïko Wa Wa (1975–?) - Manuaku Waku who was joined by successful singers like Shimita, Djo Poster among others
Viva La Musica (1977–?) - Papa Wemba, joined by Emeneya Mubiala, dindo yogo
Choc Stars - Bozi Boziana, Tshimpaka Roxy joined by Ben Nyamabo, Karlito Lassa, Defao
L'Orchestre Anti-Choc - Bozi Boziana, joined by Deyesse Mukangi, Jolie Detta, Dodoli, Walingonda, Fifi Mofude, etc.
Langa Langa Stars (1981–1984) - Evoloko Jocker, Bozi Boziana, Tshimpaka Roxy and Djo Mali
TPOK Jazz (1984–1983) - François Luambo Makiadi
Zaïko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka - N'Yoka Longo, Meridjo, Dindo Yogo, Oncle Bapius, Zamuangana, Nono Atalaku and Matima. They were joined by Malage de Lugendo, Adamo, Baroza, Shiro Shiro,
Zaïko Langa Langa Familia Dei - Lengi Lenga, Ilo Pablo, Bimi Ombale, Beniko Popolipo, Petit Poisson, Djimi Yaba
Zaiko Universel (1999–2000)- Meridjo, Bapius Muaka
Langa Langa Rénové - Evoloko Jocker
Basilique Loningisa - Bimi Ombale
Ngwaka Aye- Dindo Yogo
Les Quatros de Langa Langa, Papa Wemba, Evoloko, Bozi Boziana, Gina Efonge
Les Stars de Zaiko, Now called Zaikas Kolo Mboka, Adamo Ekula, Petit Poisson, Tshanda, Papy Cocaine, etc.
Clan Petrole (1983–1940) - The Best Collections.
Discography
* 1970 : Pauline
* 1972 : L'amoureux decu
* 1973 : Mete la vérité, chouchouna
* 1974 : Liwa ya somo
* 1981 : Sarah Djenni
* 1983 : La Tout Neige
* 1985 : Zaiko Eyi Nkisi
* 1985 : Eh Ngoss! Eh Ngoss! Eh Ngoss!
* 1986 : Bongoville
* 1986 : Pusa Kuna... Serrez! Serrez!
* 1987 : Bongama Kamata Position
* 1987 : Subissez les conséquences
* 1988 : Nippon Banzai au Japon
* 1989 : Jetez l'Eponge
* 1990 : Zaiko Langa-Langa F. D.
* 1992 : L'Autentique Zaiko Langa Langa
* 1993 : Jamais sans nous
* 1993 : Zaire-Ghana (recorded in Accra in 1976, produced by Henri Bowane)
* 1995 : Avis de recherche
* 1995 : Zekete Zekete
* 1996 : Sans issue
* 1996 : Pacha labaran
* 1997 : Papa Omar
* 1997 : Onassis
* 1997 : Muvaro
* 1997 : Le beau temps
* 1997 : Bongo bouger
* 1997 : Bacline Lesson One
* 1997 : Poison
* 2000 : Etumba ya la vie
* 2001 : Legend
* 2002 : Anthologie
* 2003 : Sentiment Awa / Essesse
* 2003 : Eureka!
* 2004 : Empreinte
* Zaire Congo Dance
* Zaiko Langa Langa
* Saisie en Douane... 20 Ans Déjà
* Ici Ça Va... Fungola Motema
* Out of Africa
Muvaro
Zaïko Langa Langa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oyoka nga ata mawa Muva, na kobelela mokili mobimba ba yoka nga
Nakobelela epa' ya Mimi ayoka nga, nakomi zoba ya bolingo nayo Muva
Fungola ya yo motema otika nga kimia kati ya mokili papa, Ohh Ohh Muva eh-eh-eh-eh nawe!
The lyrics of Zaïko Langa Langa's song Muvaro speak about the deep love of the singer for his lover Muva. The first two lines of the song, "Muva na leli, bolingo na nga, Oyoka nga ata mawa," expresses that Muva is his life and his love, and he cannot live without her. The next two lines, "Muva, na kobelela mokili mobimba ba yoka nga, Nakobelela epa' ya Mimi ayoka nga," means that Muva is the only person who can ease his pain in this harsh world, and he is so attached to her that even the thought of her makes him feel better. Finally, the last few lines of the song, "Nakomi zoba ya bolingo nayo Muva, Fungola ya yo motema otika nga kimia kati ya mokili papa, Ohh Ohh Muva eh-eh-eh-eh nawe!", talks about how his heart is filled with the love and warmth of Muva and how he has become addicted to her love. Overall the lyrics convey the intense affection, devotion, and dependence of the singer towards his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Muva na leli, bolingo na nga
My heart belongs to Muva, she is my love
Oyoka nga ata mawa Muva, na kobelela mokili mobimba ba yoka nga
Muva, please don't leave me, I promise to travel the world with you
Nakobelela epa' ya Mimi ayoka nga, nakomi zoba ya bolingo nayo Muva
I asked for Mimi's advice, she said to follow my heart's love for Muva
Fungola ya yo motema otika nga kimia kati ya mokili papa, Ohh Ohh Muva eh-eh-eh-eh nawe!
Open your heart to me, let our love illuminate the whole world, Ohh Ohh Muva eh-eh-eh-eh with you!
Contributed by Liam R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yannickbikakala58
Ça me fait penser à la vie est belle 😥😊
Quand je pense que mayday deviendra une nostalgie comme ça 😭
@constclaudelkoya8023
Quand j'écoute la musique zaïroise des années 80-90, je me rappelle de la plus belle époque de ma vie.
@carmelbampile4399
2024 and forever
@tresortshimbela7703
Que dire à mon tour moi qui suis venu au monde en 1991. J’ai eu goût de ce chant dans le film “la vie est belle “.
@mulambn1
Moi de 1991 oza jumeaux ma ngai😊
@cesarcesar2888
Ya Poli Beniko l'un des meilleurs guitaristes de tous les temps, respect !
@rolandsergekimpo5753
Une très belle composition avec à la guitare solo Beniko Zéro faute, merci pour ce solo angélique et inoubliable. Monsieur BENIKO respect pour ton doigté.
@r__miante3585
J'apprenais que feu Papa Lengi Lenga dit ya Lengos était familier puis même tribu avec ma défunte mère. Très bonne chanson que j'aime aussi même si je ne suis pas de la génération, car vu les jours en 1986. RIP Mobali ya Propre Tonton Lengos💐🙏🏾
@user-iy6pr2or4k
Nous partions de BAKOUMBA pour MOANDA pour aller grouver avec mon grand frère MARC BALENDI tout puissant secrétaire de section du PDG il avait une SUBARU bar le contenaire que la terre lui soit légère RIP
@freychancel7510
Que de bons souvenirs d'enfance, bravo à tous les artistes qui ont contribué au succès de cet album. ❤❤