Nyboma Mwandido was the star musician at the center of several musical galaxies. Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua, and Les Kamale were household names in the entire 1970s, and he was the central pillar and the star attraction of these bands.

With the shockwaves of the pacy cavacha reverberating across the DRC and the whole of Africa, Nyboma became the much-sought-after voice, especially after being crowned Congolese Singer of the Year in 1974, following the success of his song "Kamale." Kamale is a Malian word that means "best friend," according to Nyboma.

In an online debate on who was the all-time greatest singer, Nyboma's name featured prominently alongside the names of other singing superstars like Grand Kalle, Tabu Ley, Vicky Longomba, Chanel Kazadi, Josky Kiambukuta, and others.

So good was Nyboma that in the mid-1970s, Franco lured him, both directly and through emissaries, to join his band, OK Jazz, but Nyboma politely declined the overtures.

Born on 24th December 1952 in Nioki, the river town described as mboka mabaya (the town of timber) by Ndombe Opetum in his hit song Voyage na Bandundu, young Nyboma was bitten by the musical bug early in life and began singing in the local church choir.

He had his very first engagement as a professional musician in 1968, performing for Baby National while he was a 16-year-old. The band was owned by Freddy Mulongo. He also had another stint with Negro Success the year that followed, but he did not quite leave a mark there.

It was only when he joined Orchestre Bella Bella that he found a footing that catapulted him to fame. Bella Bella was a group led by the Soki brothers. The group was created in 1969 and signed for Editions Veve in 1970.

The youthfulness and charisma of Soki Vangu meant that the band soared higher and even threatened to depose big names like Tabu Ley, Franco, and Nico from the apex of Congolese music in terms of popularity.

The band had a pool of young but very talented musicians, among them bassist Shaba Kahamba, solo guitarist Kinzunga Ricos, and Pierre Bisikita, among others. They were undoubtedly headed for glory, and Nyboma, a.k.a. Canta Danos, had landed in the right place.

The team released hits like Mayanga, Nakweya Ndeke, Lipua Lipua, and Mobali Amemeli Voyage. Backed by Emile and Maxime Soki, Nyboma became the outfit’s star attraction when the band split, with one group forming Bella Mambo, singer Mulembu Tshibau was brought in to replace Emile in his formation with Nyboma.

Prof. Larry Gumbe, a music enthusiast who is very knowledgeable about Congolese music, describes Nyboma's success in the era as phenomenal. Nyboma became a household name even in Nairobi.

In March 1973, Bella Bella parted ways with Verckys’ Editions Veve. This was when Nyboma and other musicians — Pepe Kalle, Kinzunga Ricos, Mbudi Malanda, Kayembe Zeus, Pierre Bisikita, and others — created Orchestra Lipua Lipua.

Their very first album included the song Kamale, which was a big success. The other songs were Mombasa and Nkotela, and many others. It is worth noting that when Nyboma created his own band in 1975, he named it Orchestra Les Kamale after the hit song he did with Lipua Lipua. The band Lipua Lipua itself had also found a name from the song Lipua Lipua, which Nyboma and the team did at Orchestra Bella Bella. The song Lipua Lipua was composed by Mulembu. According to Nyboma, the song was themed on unfaithfulness in relationships.

Within just two years, another walkout happened, with Nyboma leading the rebels into a new band, Orchestra Les Kamale, leaving Lipua Lipua in the hands of Vata Diantima, who had been recruited from Vox Africa. The lineup for the old Lipua Lipua thus changed to include soloist Santana Mongoley, Paul Nzaya Nzayadio, Dona Mobeti, Benazo Mbuta, and Lusuama Aspro.

Les Kamale released their songs under their own record label, known as Fuka Fuka. Nyboma went ahead and recruited new members to replace those who left. Among them was young and very talented solo guitarist Dally Kimoko.

It is with this team that Nyboma did the hit songs Ayidjo, Andoya, Masuwa, and many others.

In 1982, in Paris, Nyboma teamed up with guitarist Syran Mbenza, singer Wuta Mayi, and rhythmist/bassist Bopol Mansiamina to create Le Quatre Étoiles (Four Stars). The quartet did several recordings under the sponsorship of promoter Sylla.

Nyboma has also had numerous collaborations with many other musicians, among them Pepe Kalle, Madilu, Tabu Ley, and Faya Tess. He also did several songs with Kekele Transcontinental, a Paris-based band created by a grouping of several superstars of the 1970s and 1980s. Some of these songs became award-winning hits.

Armed with a golden voice, a charming smile, and a composing prowess, Nyboma has worked his way into the hearts of many music lovers.

By Jerome Ogola