There was a beehive of activity at Maya-Maya International Airport in Brazzaville on June 28, 2023. Crowds thronged the airport, making it evident that an anticipated visitor would arrive. The Republic of Congo was filled with hope and excitement. Their revered son, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Prince Youlou Mabiala, was returning home after a long stay abroad, where he had received medical treatment. Fellow musicians, fans, family, and friends gathered at the airport long before his flight landed, following news of his long-awaited homecoming.Prince Youlou Mabiala had been in and out of several hospitals in Paris for nearly 20 years, seeking treatment after suffering a stroke in 2004. His hospitalization kept him away from musical activities during that period. Youlou Mabiala is a household name in the music-loving nation of Congo-Brazzaville and beyond, including its twin sibling, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with which it shares the mighty Congo River, locally known as Ebale Ya Zaire. His velvety voice has delivered soulful ballads for decades, both as a member of OK Jazz, led by Franco, and through his band, Kamikaze.As Franco sang in "Congo Mibale," the two Congos are essentially one entity, separated only by the great river. The musical talent that thrives in the DRC is equally present in the Republic of Congo. However, the DRC's larger size gives it an advantage, making it difficult for its smaller neighbor to compete on equal footing. Nonetheless, in the 1960s and 1970s, musicians from both sides of the river frequently collaborated, moving fluidly between Kinshasa and Brazzaville. Some bands did not strictly belong to either country and operated interchangeably. The proximity of the two capitals, the closest in the world, further facilitated this musical exchange.Gilbert Youlou Mabiala was born on March 6, 1947, in Brazzaville. He began his music career in the mid-1960s with two Brazzaville-based bands, Les Mais Blanches and Les Griots. However, it was in Kinshasa that he rose to prominence.Youlou Mabiala joined OK Jazz on August 13, 1967, after being recommended by Manola, the girlfriend of Grand Maître Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (Franco). He made an immediate impact with his composition "Obimi Mbwe," which showcased his vocal talent and established him as a valuable member of the band. His arrival created tension, particularly with Lovy Longomba, who feared that the newcomer might overshadow him as OK Jazz's leading vocalist. At the time, OK Jazz also featured another Brazzaville native, Celi Bitshou, which made Youlou's transition smoother. He quickly cemented his place in the band’s vocal section. Although Lovy remained the top singer, Youlou excelled in duets with Franco, their voices blending seamlessly in numerous recordings.In 1972, Youlou left OK Jazz alongside Celi Bitshou to join Lovy's new band, Lovy Du Zaire. Franco, feeling betrayed after mentoring Youlou, expressed his disappointment in the song "Ou est le sérieux?" However, Youlou’s stint with Lovy Du Zaire was short-lived, and he soon moved to Somo Somo, a band led by Mose Fanfan.
Later that same year, he returned to OK Jazz and recorded several hits, including "Kamikaze." However, in 1977, he left once again to form Les Trois Frères alongside fellow Brazzaville musicians Loko Massengo and Mitchel Boyibanda. This move followed the dissolution of Orchestre Ya Sosoliso, a band where Loko had been a member.Three years later, in 1980, Youlou founded his own band, Kamikaze Loningisa, which took the music scene by storm. Based in Brazzaville, the band featured a talented lineup, including Pindou, Serge Lemvo, Bola Bolite, Souza Vangu, and Kiala Don Djoli. They released numerous successful albums, including "Louflakari" and "UCB." After Franco’s death, OK Jazz suffered leadership disputes, leading Simaro Lutumba to form Bana OK. Meanwhile, Youlou’s Kamikaze Loningisa struggled to stay afloat due to a series of defections. In an effort to revive OK Jazz, Youlou recorded two albums featuring the songs "Mwana Luambo" and "Oleli Oleli."However, upon returning to Brazzaville, he faced heavy criticism for allowing Kamikaze to collapse while attempting to resurrect OK Jazz. Ultimately, he abandoned the revived OK Jazz and returned to his own band, Kamikaze, a name inspired by his earlier hit song. Naming bands after successful songs was common in the rumba scene. Other examples include Lipua Lipua, Kamale, Fuka Fuka, Shama Shama, and Makfe.After his return to his homeland, Youlou, who is married to Franco’s daughter, has been living a quiet life away from the music industry. His contributions to African music earned him an enduring place in the hearts of fans, and his hospital bills were even covered by the state as a tribute to his legacy. Youlou Mabiala remains one of the biggest names in African music.By Jerome Ogola
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