Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, a popular Congolese guitarist
By: Francis Ndichu
The famous Congolese singer was pronounced no more in United States of America,Nashua-New Hampshire on 15th March 2023 after a long battle with heart disease aged 76 yrs.
The legend was born in 1946 in, Republic of Congo,Kinshasa. Denis Lokassa Kasia, famously known as Lokassa Ya M’bongo or Money Man started his career as a musician who skilled played rhythm guitar in a band known as African Fiesta National in 1968 aged 22 yrs.
With youthful ambitions he co-joined with his band members Attel Mbumba,Mavatiku Visu and Dino Vangu where with them they went higher heights and performed for 10yrs in the band.
But sadly for their fans who greatly loved them together as a band were sad to hear that the band would be no more performing together. Lokassa changed gear and tried a new phase of a band named African All Stars with his band mates: Guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku , Drummer Ringo Moya and conjoined with famously singer Sam Mangwana.
They greatly produced great hits such as Makengo,Zamba Y’ Africa in a period of a year.
But unfortunately due internals dispute among the artists All-stars broke up in 1979 and each band
Lokassa decided to settle in Togo,Lomé in search of greener pastures and for a new shell he changed his named from Lokassa to Lokassa Ya M’bongo ,The Money Man.
While in Togo he work closely with some of the artists namely Quatre Etoiles nyboma Mwan Dido,Syran M’Benza and others.
In 1982 All-stars again made a re-union, Lokassa Ya M’bongo joined with Mandjeku, Mangwana and Moya and produced a bang namely OwnBonne Anne.
Like any other artist Lokassa Ya M’bongo didn’t just settle there in the band he moved in Paris, France in such of a niche and found a space as a session player and he recorded with Abeti, Kanda Bongo Man and Pepe Kalle.
Miraculously Soukous Star was born in 1989 and producer Ibarahima Sylla and Congo-Brazzaville Singer Ballou came on bench.
Also singer Lokassa Ballou, Guitarist Dally Kimoko, Singers Lukombo Shimita,Yondo Kusala and Neil Zitany they al formed Soukous Star.
For over 30 yrs as a musician Lokassa Ya M’bongo has recorded in the World Guinness Book as the best Guitarist in the world.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Kenya’s political compass in dilemma: Why the country must recalculate its route before it is too late
- Leading change through community, advocacy & compassion
- KEBS wins regional trade award at East Africa construction ceremony
- Maasai man reclaims his roots as DNA result confirms 100pc Kenyan heritage
- ICC member states dismiss prosecutor Khan over serious misconduct
About the Author
Aoma Keziah