The Ambassadors of Rumba music

The Ambassadors of Rumba music.

KEKELE

This is a group of 5 veteran Congolese musicians who have come together with the main aim of keeping the old Rumba music alive:

1. Boumba Massa - a well-known singer of the 70s who worked with the late Vicky Longomba.
2. Syran Mbenza - a veteran guitarist and composer of the 4 Etoile group.
3. Nyboma Mwandido - a singer whose career started in various popular bands of the 70s.
4. Wuta Mayi - a former TP Ok Jazz singer and member of 4 Etoile.
5. Loko Masengo Djeskain - a former member of the group Trio Madjesi.

The idea of forming this super Rumba group came from a well-known African music producer, Ibrahima Sylla (who died in 2013), the owner of the music label Syllart Records. He hails from Senegal but worked in Cote d'Ivoire before settling in Paris. He was the producer responsible for discovering and exposing most of the Congolese musicians who had taken refuge in West Africa in the 1970s, taking them to Paris and launching their international reputation.

Under Ibrahima Sylla, the Kekele group released their debut album titled "RUMBA CONGO" in 2001, containing reworkings of old Rumba hits. Their second album, "CONGO LIFE," was released in 2003, featuring Papa Noel and Rigo Star on guitar, amidst tours of the USA. In 2006, they released "KANAVANA (Kinshasa and Havana)," their third album, which featured Papa Noel, Madilu System, Mbilia Bel, and Manu Dibango. This album explores the old connection between Rumba music of Congo and Cuba.

Kekele, which means a certain creeper plant in Congo, has performed numerous tours and concerts in the USA, UK, Canada, and several music festivals in the Caribbean. KEKELE is the second successful venture of Ibrahima Sylla after he formed the super African Salsa group AFRICANDO.

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