The band was formed in 1970 as Orchestra Zaiko. Original members included Papa Wemba, Evolocko Lay Lay, Zamungana and Nyoka Longo. The group revolutionized Congolese music, adopting a more up tempo beat, abandoning wind instruments and emphasizing the snare drum and the solo guitar. They made great use of the call and response system and introduced chants of animation, a system that is now used extensively by most Congolese groups. Their stage shows were more frenetic and featured a frontline of almost a dozen singers.
By 1973 the band had established itself as one of DRC's most popular groups. Evolocko Jocker emerged as arguably the band's most popular member, credited with inventing the cavacha, a dance craze that swept East and Central Africa during the seventies.
By the mid seventies, the band started to fall apart. First to leave was Papa Wemba along with Bozi, Evolocko and Mavuela who formed Isifi Lokole which later split into Yoka Lokole, and Viva La Musica. Lengi Lenga was recruited in a bid to plug the gap left by Papa Wemba.
By the late seventies, despite the departure of several stalwarts, the band was at its peak. Among its members were vocalists Nyoka Longo, Lengi Lenga, Bimi Ombale, Dindo Yogo, Evolocko and Bozi Boziana along with Instrumentalists Meridjo, and Bapius. Songs were now more polished, arranged and harmonious. Stage concerts were now better choreographed.
In the late eighties, disagreements occurred among the band members, as veterans, Meridjo, Nyoka Longo and Dindo Yogo lined up against newer band members such as Lengi Lenga, Ilo Pablo and Bimi Ombale. This led to a spectacular split, with Nyoka's group calling themselves Zaiko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka, while Bimi's group called itself Zaiko Langa Langa Familia Dei. Both groups had a decent measure of success and commanded fanatical followings.
Sandra Lina
Zaiko Langa Langa Lyrics
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Bandoki bakaboli amitié
Babosani souvenir ekokendeke
Pe ekozongaka eh
Sandralina ngai wa yo
Nazalaka motema pembe
Nga na boya ndako ya nganga
Ata eleki nga lelo
Nazalaka motema pembe
Nga na boya ndako ya nganga
Ata eleki nga lelo
Na nzembi nzoka n'Afrika
Na nzembi n'Europa
Asia babini
Santa eh
Santa eh
Santalina eh santa
Sandralina lelo na ndimi
Nga na tumola yo ami
Kitoko na yo ebengaki ngai
Olengisi ngai courant ya Inga
Sandralina lelo na ndimi
Nga na tumola yo ami
Kitoko na yo ebengaki ngai
Olengisi ngai courant ya Inga
Lisapo onge
Onge
Lisapo onge
Onge
Yango ndeko na nga Bimi
Ai, ai
Ai, ai, ai
Ai, ai
Ai, ai, ai
Ai, ai
Ai, ai, ai
Ai, ai
Ai, ai, ai
Chérie Kidia
Mère Mado
The song "Sandralina" by Zaïko Langa Langa is a story about unrequited love. The singer, who goes by the name of Bimi, professes his love for Sandralina but it seems she does not reciprocate the feelings. The opening lines talk about the memories they shared together as friends, and how Sandralina may have forgotten them. The chorus, "Sandralina ngai wa yo, nazalaka motema pembe" translates to "Sandralina, I am yours, my heart is pure".
Bimi goes on to explain that he even went to see a traditional healer to help him forget her, but it did not work. He mentions different continents (Africa, Europe, Asia) and calls out "Santa" (short for Sandralina) in hopes that she will hear him. He then repeats the chorus, emphasizing that his heart is still pure and he still belongs to her.
The final lines of the song are a call out to two important women in the band's history, Chérie Kidia and Mère Mado. Kidia was the original lead singer of Zaïko Langa Langa and is credited with helping to create their unique sound. Mère Mado, on the other hand, was a long-time member of the group and an important figure in the development of the soukous genre.
Overall, "Sandralina" is a poignant tale of unrequited love, with the singer trying his best to win over Sandralina's heart. The lyrics are heartfelt and emotional, and the upbeat melody is a stark contrast to the sadness of the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Sandralina
The singer is addressing someone named Sandralina
Bandoki bakaboli amitié
Many people falsely claim to be friends
Babosani souvenir ekokendeke
They cling to faded memories
Pe ekozongaka eh
Even though those times are long gone
Nazalaka motema pembe
The artist has a pure heart
Nga na boya ndako ya nganga
Although the singer has visited the nganga's house
Ata eleki nga lelo
It has been a long time ago
Na nzembi nzoka n'Afrika
From Africa to Europe
Na nzembi n'Europa
From Europe
Asia babini
To many parts of Asia
Santa eh Santa eh Santalina eh santa
The singer exclaims and repeats Sandralina's name multiple times in a festive tone
Sandralina lelo na ndimi
The artist is still thinking about Sandralina today
Nga na tumola yo ami
The singer loves Sandralina very much
Kitoko na yo ebengaki ngai
Sandralina is very beautiful to the singer
Olengisi ngai courant ya Inga
She gave me the current of the river Inga
Lisapo onge Onge Lisapo onge Onge
The artist repeats a phrase that means 'story teller' or 'playmaker'
Yango ndeko na nga Bimi
That's what my friend Bimi says
Chérie Kidia Mère Mado
The singer mentions the names of two women, Kidia and Mado, with an affectionate tone
Writer(s): Zaiko Langa Langa
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nonokinkela2913
Quand j'écoute toutes les chansons anciennes succes de zaiko ça me fait pleurer , des chansons composent avec le coeur
@akiuvuzingapatrice293
Ca me fait aussi pleurer. Je pense a des amis,frere,oncles qui nous ont quittes.
@bantugang
Rip mon oncle bimi ombale
@rogeronoimbourg3779
Un chef-d'oeuvre
@lilianeluckylukoki2585
Bimi Ombale = mungongo supet kitoko, hyper elengi....ma jeunesse à Kinshasa, The Capital City of ambiance ! 🎼🎤🎵🪘🎹
@ericngal5285
Une chanson avec une autre dimension spirituelle càd elle touche l'âme pcq composée avk une âme!
Très touchant!
@alankasenda7106
Bimi ombale a true legend
@usaajijeff4893
The fiercely sweet mini-solo used to ring such a note in those late 80s. Now, it brings nostalgic longing
@yikes5522
RIP Mon papa Lord Mo 💔🙏🏿💐💕🕊👑🕊
@mumberemituserafundi81
Mid 80s... I can't stop playing this song!