Georges Kiamuangana Mateta, professionally known as Verckys, was a colossal figure in Congolese and African popular music, renowned not only as a gifted saxophonist but also as a visionary music executive. Born on May 19, 1944, he first gained widespread fame after joining the legendary OK Jazz in 1963, where his energetic saxophone solos earned him the nickname "the man with lungs of steel" and were integral to many of the band's hits. Verckys, who was an early master of the flute and clarinet, had switched to the saxophone after an introduction by Isaac Musekiwa and adopted his stage name after mishearing the name of American saxophonist King Curtis. He later became Franco's private secretary in OK Jazz, learning the business side of music, which he would soon apply with ambitious success.
In a bold move that changed the industry, Verckys left OK Jazz in 1969 to found his own orchestra, Orchestre Vévé, and, more importantly, to establish Éditions Vévé, making him one of the first indigenous Africans to own a record label. This studio and label became a launchpad for a new generation of Congolese stars, including Koffi Olomide, Zaïko Langa Langa, and Empire Bakuba, and was crucial in the evolution toward the modern dance sound of soukous. He even pioneered the popular Cavacha beat. Beyond his own band, he owned and managed other ensembles like Orchestre Kiam and Orchestre Lipua Lipua. Verckys also served as president of the Union des Musiciens Zaïrois (UMUZA), succeeding his former mentor, Franco. Although his business ventures eventually eclipsed his performing career, leading to the dissolution of Orchestre Vévé, his legacy as a brilliant musician, composer, and an indispensable force in African music production remains immense. He passed away on October 13, 2022, in Kinshasa at the age of 78.