THE MAGNET THAT PULLS

THE MYSTERIOUS MAGNET THAT PULLS.

When veteran Telezaire broadcaster Lukunku Nsampu asked Franco who was on stage, while pointing at the late Mayaula Mayoni, Franco responded by introducing Mayaula as a former footballer who went to Europe for higher education and then converted to be a musician.

 Lukunku: Amoni mosolo (He's seen money in music?)

 Franco: Mosolo te. Elengi! (Not money but pleasure)

Mayaula Mayoni was born in Kinshasa in 1946 and began his education in the local schools. He was a great footballer and featured for the country's team AS Vita and even the national team Leopards, which played in the FIFA World Cup of 1974. He later joined his father, who was a diplomat in Tanzania, where he trained for Yanga, and later went to Belgium, where he played professional soccer and pursued higher education. When he came back to Kinshasa, having learned the guitar, his passion for music saw him convert to becoming a musician.

He got involved with OKJ composing and performing with the band but not as a full-time band member. He composed 'nabali misere','mom', 'cheri bondowe', 'bondoki, etc. and played rhythm guitar in the recordings. His composing prowess went beyond OKJ as he composed the hit song ‘bachagrins,’  done with Nzong Nzing, ‘nasi nabali,’ done by songbird Tshalla Muana, and ‘ndaya’sang by deadly singer Mpongo Love. He passed away on 26 May 2010 in Brussels.

This is just one illustration of a professional in a different field whose love for music made him leave an inedible mark in the hearts of music lovers. Going by the words of Franco above, it wasn't well-paying, possible in comparison to other occupations, but nonetheless, there was some enthusiasm that came with it and made people get hooked on it, despite being experts in different fields.

Koffi Olomide of Quartier Latin International, for example, has a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's in mathematics. Nonetheless, he has made a name as a musician as opposed to the career path that his qualifications would've sent him to. Dr. Nico was a college tutor in Kintambo, according to his biographer, Alastair Johnston of California. However, I didn't practice that for long before quitting to pursue a career in music.

Nino Malapet, the saxman cum trumpeter who briefly appeared for OKJ in the late 1950s before crossing over to play for the Esengo-based Rock A Mambo, was equally a trained attorney who never practiced. Possibly, he'd make more money practicing law but chose to stick to his trumpet. In the latter days, he headed Les Bantous De La Capitale. Ntesa Nzitani, who joined OKJ from Grand Maquisards, was a high school teacher but chose to drop the chalk and went straight to the club to entertain. The composer of the all-time great song 'Bina na ngai na respect' later found a home in music. Mwalimu Madjo Maduley was Les Kinois's soloist in its first lineup. Nonetheless, while in Uganda with the band, he chose to remain behind as the band came to Kenya to pursue a career as a teacher.

Apart from him, many other musicians seem to have opted to be full-time musicians, even when it was evident that they had an opportunity to make a living in a different environment.

Fame would be the allure if it weren't for Mayaula's case because he already had it in football but still got involved as a musician.

Just the prospects of performing in clubs where people mingle and dance and drink as opposed to an office environment where etiquette is adhered to, or again, maybe there is a mystery that plays the magnet.

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