Zaïko Langa Langa is a Congolese rumba band formed in Kinshasa, in December 1969.[1] Established by D.V. Moanda, Henri Mongombe, Marcellin Delo and André Bita, the band evolved from the Orchestre Bel Guide National, which is seen as Zaïko's predecessor.[2]
By 1973, Zaïko Langa Langa was heralded as the trailblazer of the third generation of Congolese rumba due to their innovative approaches, diverging from the heavily orchestral and horn-driven sounds of their predecessors.[11][12][13][14][7] Their infusion of modern elements into traditional rumba revitalized the genre, setting a new standard and solidifying their status as innovators in popular Congolese music.[15][16][17]
The band's discography boasts numerous acclaimed records and chart-topping singles, including "Mosinzo Nganga," "La Tout Neige," "Mbeya Mbeya," "Eluzam," "Fièvre Mondo," "Pa Oki," and "Sentiment Awa."[16] Notable albums such as Nippon Banzai (their most commercially successful work), Jetez L'Éponge, and Zekete Zekete 2e Épisode were released in the 1980s.[16][18][19][20] In the 1990s, Zaïko Langa Langa sustained their success with albums like Ici Ça Va… Fungola Motema, Jamais Sans Nous, and Avis De Recherche.[16] Their dedication to mentoring young musicians and attention to fashion has garnered a significant youth following.[9]
Etymologically, according to the band's co-founder D. V. Moanda, the name Zaïko has its roots in the name of a band of Belgicains (Congolese students based in Belgium) which was called Zaïco and firstly meant "Zaïre du Kongo".[21] According to Marie-Louise Mumbu, a Paris-based Congolese journalist, Zaïko is a contraction of "Zaïre ya bankoko," a Lingala colloquialism meaning "the Zaire River of our ancestors."[22] This etymology references the exploration era and Diego Caô, the explorer credited with discovering the Zaire River, now known as the Congo River. The name Zaïko honors the band's cultural lineage and ancestral heritage.[22]
"Langa Langa" was given by Papa Wemba. It is a medicinal plant that brings luck.[21] According to the band's website, it means "marvelous" or "almighty".[23]
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.[24] 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,[24] a meeting took place in the home of the Mangaya family, in 10 Avenue Popo Kabaka,[25] where D.V. Moanda, Henri Mongombe, Marcellin Delo and André Bita formed Zaïko Langa Langa. 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,[26] 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.[27]
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.[28]
1971–1976: Rise and first tour
Performance in 1971. From left to right: Beaudoin Mitsho, Meridjo Belobi (behind), Enoch Zamuangana (behind), Teddy Sukami, Papa Wemba, Damien Ndebo (behind), Evoloko Jocker, Félix Manuaku Waku
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).[29][30][31][32]
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.[28][33] 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.[28]
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.[34] Efonge also shines after his song "Consolation", published in 1972, becomes a hit. Meridjo switched from congas to drums, after Ombale's departure.[35] 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.[28]
First awards and Plaisir De L'Ouest Afrique
Zaïko Langa Langa joined Verckys' emblematic label, les Éditions Vévé. In 1973, during a trip from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire by train (the band's first trip outside Zaire), the members of Zaïko sang accompanied by their drummer Meridjo Belobi 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,[36] 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.[34]
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.[37][38]
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.[28]
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.[39] 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".[40]
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][41][42] 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.[43] 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.[44]
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,[45][46] 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. They also toured in Togo as part of the same tour.
In 1976, Félix Manuaku Waku joins Ray Lema, Bopol Mansiamina and many others to form an offshoot band, Les Ya Toupas du Zaïre.[47][48] 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.[49]
Zaïko Langa Langa performing in Kinshasa, ca. 1979
1977–1979: Pre-golden era
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).[50][51][52] They participate as band members at FESTAC 77 in Lagos.[50][53][54]
Numerous singles were released in early 1977, including Bimi Ombale's "Ima," in which Manuaku Waku uses the Bouzouki for the very first time in Congolese rumba, another innovation credited to the band. The instrument was later stolen and never seen again.[21]
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.[55][56][57] 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").
In mid-1978, Zaïko Langa Langa had made its first European tour, accompanied by a JMPR delegation.[28]
Teddy Sukami created an offshoot band called Les Casques Bleus.[58] 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.[58][44]
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.[59] 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.[59]
1980–1989: Golden decade
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.[60][59] 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.[60][61][62][63] They also released the hit "Fièvre Mondo", composed by Evoloko Jocker, which was awarded Best Song of the Year 1980.[60][64] 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 during the VISA 80 European tour launched by Franco Luambo, which was a third tour in the zone for the band.[65] 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.[66][67] 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.[66]
During his time with the band, Nono Monzuluku was a pioneer of atalaku (animator).[68][69]
The four remaining tracks from the Studio Igloo session were released in 1982 on the band's fourth LP, titled Tout-Choc.[70][71][72][73] Despite these adversities, the band's main songwriters composed several tracks. In late 1981, they managed to embark their another tour in Europe for some months and recorded new material. Their fifth LP, a double album named Nkolo Mboka, debuted in September 1982.[70][71][74]
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.[75][76] 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.[77]
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.[78][79] The melodious sebene of the song was played by Beniko Zangilu Popolipo.[78] 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.[78][80]
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.[81][82][83] 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.[82][84][85]
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[86] for drug possession.[87] 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.[88][89][90] It was issued on CD in 1992 by Sonodisc as L'Authéntique Zaïko Langa Langa.[91] The next album, entitled Le Tout Choc Zaïko Langa Langa en Europe, was also published in 1984.[92] During European tours of the band, albums were recorded in Europe, precisely in Brussels. The next year, the band embarked on a Canadian tour. 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.[93] They were finalists in the Prix découvertes RFI in 1986 as second Afro-Caribbean group behind Kassav.[94]
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.[93] 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.[93]
In December 1987, the band's eighteenth album was published, entitled Subissez Les Conséquences. A two-day concert in the Palais du Peuple also took place in the 26 and 27 of the same month to celebrate the group's 18th anniversary with guests such as Papa Wemba, Evoloko Jocker, Mavuela Somo and Félix Manuaku Waku.[97]
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.[98][99][100]
Zaïko Langa Langa released their nineteenth LP, entitled Jetez l'Éponge, in December 1989, a medley to introduce the new members of the band.[101][102]
1990–1999: Ici ça va...Fungola Motema to Poison
In 1990, Zaïko Langa Langa became the headliner of concerts in French halls, notably the Maison de la Mutualité. During the tour they recorded their twentieth album, Ici ça va...Fungola Motema, which contained six songs, including "Exil" composed by Adamo Ekula.[103] Described by the Beat Magazine, an Australian tabloid-sized music publication, as characterized by "spirited choral vo-cals, good hooky melodies and vibrant, spin-ning and tortuous solo guitar passages", the album gained significant recognition, with "Exil" winning the accolade of Best Song of the Year.[104][103]
The following year, 1991, Zaïko Langa Langa prepared their next album Jamais Sans Nous. The album had included the hit "Dede" composed by Jossart N'Yoka Longo.[105] They then begin another tour between Paris, Belgium, Switzerland, England, Spain, and Portugal.[106]
After the tour, they stay in Kinshasa for three years and prepare N'Yoka Longo's debut solo studio album, Avis de Recherche.[107] At the same time, they performed many concerts, notably a double-headline show (duel concerts) against Wenge Musica in the Intercontinental Hotel of Kinshasa (now Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hôtel), which they won,[108][109] and also a two-day reunion concert of the Langa Langa clan on 15–16 November 1993 with Papa Wemba and the members who had previously splintered to form Zaïko Langa Langa Familia Dei. Apart from those concerts, Zaïko Langa Langa also performed concerts across East Africa.[110][111][112][113] In February 1995, after arriving in Paris to record their next album, they played a double-headline concert with Pépé Kallé at Aquaboulevard Paris. Eventually, on 31 May 1995, Avis de Recherche was released. The album was a great success and was featured in the French weekly cultural and television magazine Télérama.[114][115][116] The success of Avis de Recherche also allowed Zaïko Langa Langa to embark on another European tour for a year and a half.[117][118]
Upon their return to Kinshasa, Zaïko Langa Langa obtained lucrative contracts with Castel Beer in 1997. They also recruited young musicians to rejuvenate their lineup. Their new album, Nous y Sommes, released on 2 April 1998, was recorded at a popular local studio in Kinshasa, N'Diaye, which also produced the record.[119] The ensemble arrived in Paris in 1999, they performed at the Cannes Film Festival in May, then they recorded the album Poison, which was released towards the end of 1999.[120][121] Shortly before the recording of the album, three eminent members—Meridjo Belobi, Oncle Bapius, and Modeste Modikilo—seceded from the ensemble to establish Zaïko Langa Langa Universel.[122][123][124] Despite this, Zaïko Langa Langa continued to tour internationally, performing in Paris and the Benelux. During this time, a documentary was made about Zaïko Langa Langa, titled Zaïko Langa Langa, le goût du travail bien fait, directed by Yves Billon.[125][126][127]
2002–2009: Zenith concert and Brussels headquarters
On 7 September 2002, Zaïko Langa Langa performed in the mythic arena Zenith Paris. More than 6,000 fans attended and considered it as the renaissance or rebirth of Zaïko. As early as 1988, Zaïko, 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.[128][129][130] Zaïko spent 6+1⁄2 years in Europe (2002–09). They became based in Brussels, Belgium but still toured around Europe. During that time, they released three studio albums: Euréka!, Empreinte, Rencontres.[130] The latter featured former members of Zaïko Langa Langa and associated acts of the band including Tony Dee.[128][130]
2010–2018: Successful comeback
In 2009, Zaïko Langa Langa returned to Kinshasa after a period of dislocation, during which the majority of its members remained in Europe. Upon their return, the group consisted of only eight musicians, but they had a reserve team called Les Ganers, which has now become the main team.[131] On August 6, 2011, they released the album Bande Annonce,[132] which became immensely popular. As a result, on August 24, 2011, their dance "Mukongo ya koba" (in French: "the back of the turtle") won the "Best Dance" award at the ninth edition of the Muana Mboka trophy, celebrated at a large hotel in Kinshasa.[133][134][135][136] In December of that year, the album topped the 2011 Congolese Hit Parade.[137][134][135]
On August 2, 2014, Zaïko Langa Langa released the album Sisikaaaaaahh! Moto na moto na... after the popularity of their Maman Siska dance.[138]
After their international tour, Zaïko Langa Langa performed two concerts in Kinshasa in July 2019, at the Kinshasa's performing arts theater Show Buzz and Chez Ntemba, during which they announced the release of their new double album, Sève, in honor of their 50th anniversary.[140][141] Initially slated for a July 2019 release,[141]Sève made its debut on 7 September.[142][143] The album was mainly produced in Kinshasa by the band's personal production label, ProZal, and mixed in France by the Parisian record label Quart de Lune.[142][143] It consisted of fourteen tracks, with a predominant blend of Congolese rumba.[142][143][144] The accompanying music videos for "Sielumuka Ngwasuma" and "Ambiance Eyenga" premiered on 28 December 2019 and 28 January 2020, respectively.[145][146]Jossart N'Yoka Longo's composed track "Système Ya Benda" was released on 23 August 2020. The song denounces the negative values prevalent in modern Congolese society, such as poisoning, duplicity, envy, and ingratitude.[147]
After more than ten years of absence on the European stages, N'Yoka Longo and Zaïko Langa Langa perform at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels on February 29, 2020, to celebrate the band's Golden jubilee.[148][149] Starting from the late 2000s, a group of opponents of ex-president Joseph Kabila, the Combattants, have boycotted performances by Congolese artists, accused of being close to the Government.[150][149] On the day of the concert, about forty of them were present outside the hall, but they failed to cancel the performance.[148][151]
On May 16, 2024, Zaïko Langa Langa gave a performance at the Clapham Grand hall in London. On May 19 and June 14, they proceeded to headline two umpteenth sold-out events at the Salle de la Madeleine in Brussels.[152][153]
Musical style and development
Zaïko Langa Langa is considered one of the most innovative and influential groups in African music. In their debut, they begin by removing the brass instrument sections and replacing it with "cri(s)" which has become known since 1982 as animation. In 1973, they introduced the snare and hi-hat rhythm Cavacha, created by the band's drummer at the time, Meridjo Belobi, during a train journey to Pointe-Noire.[36]
The guitar style used by the guitarists of Zaïko Langa Langa, the third and other generations of Congolese music was a concept of Félix Manuaku Waku, the band's first soloist. He claimed to have revolutionized Congolese music by creating the third school apart from those of Nico Kasanda and Franco Luambo.[154]
Bassist Oncle Bapius, for his part, created his style of bass (which he called Kindobika or trombone) which was also heavily used by other musicians. He claimed to have created this style by mixing Kintueni (neo-traditional music of the Yombe tribe) and sounds he listened to when he was a boy scout.[34]
Influences
Zaïko Langa Langa's early influences include Tabu Ley Rochereau and Los Nickelos. The band's early songs undoubtedly reflect this. This helped them later develop their own sound.[16]
Awards and accolades
Zaïko Langa Langa has been honored with the Best Orchestra of Zaire award on five occasions by the Association of Music Critics of Zaire, in the years 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979, and 1992. Evoloko Jocker was awarded Best Star of Zaire in 1974 (Eluzam) and 1980 (Fievre Mondo). Songs by individual members of the group received recognition for Best Song, with Evoloko Jocker receiving the award in 1974 and 1980, Jossart N'Yoka Longo in 1976 and 1979, and Adamo Ekula in 1991.[155] In 1979, N'Yoka Longo was elected Second Best Songwriter, with the top position being awarded to guitarist Mayaula Mayoni for his composition "Sentiment Awa".[156]
In 1977, N'Yoka Longo, Likinga Redo, Mbuta Mashakado, and Félix Manuaku Waku were chosen to join the National Orchestra of Zaire (ONAZA) and participated in FESTAC 77 (World Festival of Black Arts) in Lagos, Nigeria.[157]
Notably, in 1986, Zaïko Langa Langa secured the second position in the RFI referendum, closely following the Caribbean group Kassav.[46][155] In 1987, Zaïko Langa Langa earned the Georges Delerue Award for Best Music at the Flanders International Film Festival in Ghent for their musical contributions to the film La Vie est Belle with the songs "Muvaro" and "Sandra Lina".[158] Their participation in the Cannes Film Festival took place in May 1999, and in 2000, Zaïko Langa Langa was acclaimed as the best orchestra of the century in modern Congolese music.[155]
Significantly, the dance "Mukongo ya Koba" was bestowed the Best Dance award at the ninth edition of the Muana Mboka Trophy in August 2011. Moreover, in April 2014, Zaïko Langa Langa was honored with the Honor Award at the 14th edition of Kundé d'Or in Ouagadougou.[159] During the first edition of the Pool Malebo Music Awards in October 2019, Zaïko Langa Langa received a nomination in the Best Orchestra category, while N'Yoka Longo was nominated for Artist of the Decade.[160]
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^"Nyoka : Je ne sais pas comment Bimi a pu s'acheter une Mercedes". L'As des as. 1988.
^"Le conflit continue entre Ilo Pablo et Nyoka Longo". L'As des as. 1988.
^Yunduka, Karim (9 October 2020). "50 ans d'existence: Zaïko Langa Langa renaît de ses cendres" [50 years of existence: Zaïko Langa Langa rises from its ashes]. www.adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
^Masela, Nioni (14 April 2014). "Zaïko Langa Langa: 44 ans de scène, ça se fête!" [Zaïko Langa Langa: 44 years on stage, it’s worth celebrating!]. www.adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-04-19.