From Bel Guide National to Zaïko Langa Langa

A band of young musicians called Bel Guide National had been active since 1967. This orchestra included N'Yoka Longo, Félix Manuaku Waku, Enoch Zamuangana, Teddy Sukami and Gégé Mangaya as musicians, and also D.V. Moanda as administrator. A year later, on December 23, 1969, a young man named Jules Shungu Wembadio (whose artistic name was Jules Presley), a friend of the Mangaya cousins, approached a rehearsal of Bel Guide and sang accompanied by Manuaku on guitar.^[14] Moanda, impressed by Jules' performance, then decided to dissolve Bel Guide to form a new ensemble by keeping Wemba and some members of the team.

On the next day, December 24, around 3:00 p.m,^[14] a meeting took place in the home of the Mangaya family, in 10 Avenue Popo Kabaka,^[15] where D.V. Moanda, Henri Mongombe, Marcellin Delo and André Bita formed Zaïko Langa Langa, with Jules Shungu, Manuaku Waku, Jossart N'Yoka^[16] and Teddy Sukami as co-founders. On the following days, several musicians joined the band, including Matima Mpiosso, Siméon Mavuela and Evoloko Jocker.

On March 24, 1970, Zaïko Langa Langa played their debut concert in the Bar Dancing Hawai,^[17] and later that year, they recorded songs for Polydor Records and other Congolese labels and released the single "Mosinzo Nganga/Pauline". The tracks were respectively composed by Teddy Sukami and Jules Presley Shungu. Jossart also released one of his first compositions "La Tout Neige" as a standalone release.^[18]

Influenced by youngster band Los Nickelos, the musical style of the latter was highly remarkable in Zaïko's first songs. The group was divided into two sections, typical and pop: Jules Shungu Wembadio, Jossart N'Yoka Longo, Antoine Evoloko Bitumba, Siméon Mavuela, Pierre Nkumu, Mashakado Nzolantima on vocals (the latter two from the pop section), Félix Manuaku Waku, Enoch Zamuangana, Teddy Sukami, Damien Ndebo and Zéphyrin Matima Mpioso on guitars (the latter from the pop section), Beaudoin Mitsho on drums and Ephraim on congas. Still in 1970, precisely in March, drummer Bimi Ombale joined the pop lineup of the band. At the time, the band was located in the Kinshasa's Kasa-Vubu commune.^[19]

First line-up changes and innovations

One of Zaïko's first innovations was the removal of the horns section in their songs, contrary to TPOK Jazz. The appearance of the band emerged the third generation of Congolese music (first generation included Wendo Kolosoy, Adou Elenga, Antoine Kasongo and others; second generation included TPOK Jazz and l'African Jazz).^{[20][21][22][23]}

During the years 1971–74, Zaïko Langa Langa proliferated, issuing over fifty singles. In 1971, Ombale was interested in singing, but not all the members wanted him to sing, which caused a dispute. Disappointed following this, he left the group to join Tabou National.^[19][24] However, some months later, he rejoined the orchestra. New additions to the band lineup this year were: bassist Muaka Mbeka, nicknamed Bapius, percussionist Belobi Ng'Ekerme, nicknamed Meridjo, and vocalist Efonge Isekofeta, known as Gina wa Gina. All of them joined in early 1971.^[19]

Not long after his arrival, Bapius established a style of bass playing named trombone or also kindobika that differed from the band's influences. According to himself, he was inspired by traditional Kongo music and also the dances he performed as a boy scout.^[25] Efonge also shines after his song "Consolation", published in 1972, becomes a hit. Meridjo switched from congas to drums, after Ombale's departure.^[26] The soloist of the pop section, Mbuta Matima, switched to the typical section. At this time, Zaïko Langa Langa became one of Zaïre's top bands and Jules Presley changes his stage name to Papa Wemba.^[19]

First awards and Plaisir De L'Ouest Afrique

Zaïko Langa Langa joined Verckys' emblematic label, les Éditions Vévé. In 1973, during a trip from Pointe-Noire to Kinshasa by train, the members of Zaïko sang accompanied by Meridjo who had drumsticks. Evoloko proposes the idea to the latter to imitate the sound of the train with the snare drum. Belobi pioneered the idea and gave birth to the cavacha,^[27] the most widely used drum (snare and hi-hat) beat in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Oncle Bapius, "Mbeya Mbeya", composed by Evoloko in 1973, is one of the first songs to include the cavacha beat.^[25]

For the first time in its existence, Zaïko Langa Langa was awarded by the Association of Music Chroniclers of Zaire as "Best Orchestra of Zaire", later that year. Evoloko Jocker emerged as arguably the band's most popular member, credited with inventing a dance craze also named cavacha, that swept East and Central Africa during the seventies.^[28][29]

In mid-1974, Meridjo was arrested and imprisoned in Ekafela Prison with a 21-month sentence. After this incidence, Bakunde Ilo Pablo, drummer of the group Chem Chem Yetu, joined to replace Belobi during his absence. Not long after his integration, he achieved a high level of success following the release of two of his compositions, "Ndonge" and "Ando", as singles. In this same period, Bozi Boziana integrates the composition of the group to replace Gina Efonge, who had depression.^[19]

In September 1974, Zaïko Langa Langa took part in the Zaire 74 music festival, alongside TPOK Jazz, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Orchestre Stukas, James Brown and many other American musicians. Their performance lasted 45 minutes.^[30] In the same year, Zaïko Langa Langa's debut LP was released entitled Non Stop Dancing, containing six songs, including the hits "Eluzam" and "Mbeya Mbeya".^[31]

In December 1974, Zaïko Langa Langa survived its first split. Papa Wemba, Evoloko Jocker, Bozi Boziana and Mavuela Somo left and formed Isifi Lokole.^[1][32][33] Years later, this formation also separated and gave birth to Yoka Lokole, which also separated and emerged Viva La Musica in December 1976. They received two awards that year: Best Orchestra of Zaire and Best Star of the Year (Evoloko Jocker). "Mizou" was one of the band's debut singles, which premiered in early 1975. To fill the void left by the members of Isifi Lokole, singers Likinga Redo and Lengi Lenga Nsumbu joined the group.^[34] Mbuta Mashakado changes from pop section to typical. In the second half of 1975 the singles "Eboza", "Yudasi" and "Elo" were issued. The latter was very successful when it was released, as well as the two others.^[35]

In late 1975, under the production of prominent guitarist Henri Bowane, Zaïko Langa Langa embarked on a month-and-a-half-long tour in Ghana,^[36][37] where they recorded their second LP and first double album, titled Plaisir De L'Ouest Afrique, at Studio Essiebons. Plaisir De L'Ouest Afrique was later remastered and reissued as Zaire-Ghana in 1993. In 1976, Félix Manuaku Waku joins Ray Lema, Bopol Mansiamina and many others to form an offshoot band, Les Ya Toupas du Zaïre.^[38][39] After ensemble returned to Kinshasa, Mashakado departed from the band to join Yoka Lokole, while Gina Efonge made a triumphant return after overcoming depression (although he left in 1977 to established his band T.P. Libanko). Meridjo Belobi rejoined Zaïko Langa Langa following his release from prison.^[40]

FESTAC 77 participation and tenth anniversary

Bozi Boziana and Mbuta Mashakado have reintegrated into Zaïko, after the failure of Yoka Lokole. Manuaku Waku, N'Yoka Longo, Likinga Redo and Mashakado were selected by Tabu Ley Rochereau to join the National Orchestra of Zaire (ONAZA).^[41][42][43] They participate as band members at FESTAC 77 in Lagos.^[41][44][45]

After brief stint, Belobi signs his comeback with Zaïko Langa Langa with the release of the single "Sangela". Upon his return, he plays alternately with Pablo.^[46][47][48] Boziana also garners recognition with the release of his critically acclaimed hit singles, including "Diana Ya Mama", "Bibichana" and "Toutou". In early 1978, Zaïko Langa Langa recorded several songs at the RENAPEC studio in Kinshasa. These songs were released as standalone songs throughout the year, including "Pacha Labaran", "Mystère", "Likamuisi" and "Belingo" (a new version of "Ndendeli"). Members of Zaïko Langa Langa were included in Mobutu Sese Seko's MPR delegation to travel to Europe, marking the first time they had gone there.^[19]

Teddy Sukami created an offshoot band called Les Casques Bleus.^[49] The band lineup had included Lengi-Lenga and Yenga Yenga Junior. The latter joins the group Zaïko Langa Langa as Likinga's understudy, since they have extremely similar voices. Sukami released the song "Bongo Bouger" with this group in June 1978. The single was certified gold by SONECA.^[49][35]

Zaïko Langa Langa recorded N'Yoka Longo's hit "Sentiment Awa" for the first time towards the end of the year. Evoloko Jocker rejoined the band after the failure of Isifi Lokole.^[50] In December 1979, Zaïko Langa Langa celebrated 10 years of existence. In early 1980, a concert honouring the tenth anniversary took place at the Palais du Peuple in Kinshasa.^[50]

Manuaku's departure, from Gitta Production Présente Le Tout-Choc Zaïko Langa Langa to Nkolo Mboka

During the first trimester of 1980, Manuaku's hit "Obi" was released.^[51][50] In September 1980, a mass revocation of many members, led to several disputes between Manuaku Waku and other members of the group. He left with Cheikdan Mbuku, Mbuta Sanza, Otis Mbuta and Djudjuchet Luvengoka to form Grand Zaïko Wawa. Months later, towards the end of the year, singer JP Buse, soloists Petit Poisson Avedila and Roxy Tshimpaka joined the band.^{[51][52][53][54]} They also released the hit "Fièvre Mondo", composed by Evoloko Jocker, which was awarded Best Song of the Year 1980.^[51][55] Apart from this song, the singles "Solomo", "Viya" and "Crois-Moi" were also issued.

Zaïko Langa Langa's third LP, entitled Gitta Production Présente Le Tout-Choc Zaïko Langa Langa, debuted in 1981, containing four songs. It was recorded during an exhaustive 8-song session at Studio Igloo in Brussels.^[56] In September of that year, a faction led by Evoloko Jocker, including Bozi Boziana, splintered from the ensemble to form Langa Langa Stars with the backing of producer Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta.^[57][58] Meanwhile, internal tensions brewed, leading to a rift with Verckys, who took back the instruments he had previously lent to the group in the middle of a concert at the Ciné Palladium in Kinshasa, later called Cinémax. Zaïko Langa Langa was inactive for a nine-month hiatus, bereft of both instruments and financial sustenance.^[57]

The four remaining tracks from the Studio Igloo session were released in 1982 on the band's fourth LP, titled Tout-Choc.^{[61][62][63][64]} Despite these adversities, the band's main songwriters composed several tracks to appear on the band's fifth album. In mid-1982, they managed to tour Europe and recorded the songs prepared in Kinshasa in Brussels. Their fifth LP, a double album named Nkolo Mboka, debuted in September 1982.^[61][62][65]

During the official presentation of the album on October 30, 1982, on the televised program Variété Samedi Soir, spectators witnessed the pioneering inclusion of atalaku (also called "animators") in contemporary Congolese music.^[66][67] The atalaku Nono Monzuluku and Bébé Mangituka as well as the percussionist Djerba Mandjeku Makale joined the group, coming from the traditional group Bana Odéon, based in Kintambo, where the animation originated. Over the next few decades, almost every band on the Congolese music scene introduced animators as members.^[68]

From Muvaro to Nippon Banzaï

Zaïko Langa Langa's eighth studio album, Muvaro, was recorded in early 1983 at Studio I.A.D. in Brazzaville. The eponymous song, composed by Lengi Lenga, was a great success.^[69][70] The melodious sebene of the song was played by Beniko Zangilu Popolipo.^[69] The latter was recruited to replace Roxy Tshimpaka, who had previously left in 1981 with Evoloko and was one of the "7 patrons" of Langa Langa Stars. Popolipo also came from the offshoot.^[69][71]

The band's next LP, entitled Zekete Zekete 2ème Episode, was also released in 1983, precisely in the month of August. It was recorded in Paris during another European tour.^[72][73][74] This album becomes the first to have animateurs. The name of the album is taken from the band's flagship dance at the time, the zekete zekete.^[73][75][76]

D.V. Moanda died on January 10, 1984, at age 36. Until 1987, an annual concert was played in tribute to the founder of the band. Still in early 1984, the singer Likinga Redo was arrested in Grandola in Portugal^[77] for drug possession.^[78] After mourning Moanda, a promoter from Gabon, Gustave Bongo (said to be related to Omar Bongo), proposed to the administrators of the band to sponsor the band. Singer Dindo Yogo also joined the band in the same year.

Zaïko Langa Langa's tenth studio album, named On Gagne le Procès, was released in June 1984.^[79][80][81] It was issued on CD in 1992 by Sonodisc as L'Authéntique Zaïko Langa Langa.^[82] The next album, entitled Le Tout Choc Zaïko Langa Langa en Europe, was also published in 1984.^[83] During European tours of the band, albums were recorded in Europe, precisely in Brussels. The next year, another two LPs were released, including Zaïko Eyi Nkisi, which included the third version of "Etape", as well as Dindo Yogo's acclaimed hit, "Mokili Échanger", retracing the musical career of the latter and also a little part of Zaire's political history. Bongo bought Zaïko's headquarter, the Ma Elika Bar, reformed and renamed it N'Goss Club.^[84] They were finalists in the Prix Découvertes RFI in 1986 as "second Afro-Caribbean group behind Kassav".

In October 1986, Zaïko Langa Langa traveled to Japan to perform shows in universities around Tokyo, as part of a festival, as well as many concerts in Osaka and Sapporo.^[84] The tour was named Nippon Banzai. The name was also used for the band's sixteenth LP of the same title, a medley of Zaïko's older songs. It remains one of the most classic Congolese albums.^[84]

Subissez les Conséquences and 1988 major split

In December 1987, the group's eighteenth album was released, entitled Subissez Les Conséquences. A two-day concert in the Palais du Peuple also took place in the same month to celebrate the group's 18th anniversary with guests such as Papa Wemba, Evoloko Jocker, Mavuela Somo and Félix Manuaku Waku.^[85]

At this time, tensions were high within the orchestra, due to leadership issues, salary and unpaid royalties. On May 6, 1988, more than eleven members of the band left, including Ilo Pablo, Bimi Ombale and Lengi Lenga, who also were the headliners of a new group. Zaïko Langa Langa Familia Dei was born. Likinga, who served his sentence in Portugal, joined the group for a short period. A quarrel between Zaïko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka and Zaïko Langa Langa Familia Dei was triggered after this split. The war was also notable in the early records of both factions after the split.^[86][87][88]

Zaïko Langa Langa released their nineteenth LP, entitled Jetez l'Éponge, in December 1989, a medley to introduce the new members of the band.^[89][90]