THE SOUKOUS GIANT

November 27, 2024 - 04:27 PM

'Eza bolingo, eloko mosusu te',

Mfumu Kimbangu, a rumba music aficionado and a radio presenter with Kenya's state broadcaster sang this line to this writer with a heavy baritone, mimicking the voice of Djouna Mumbafu of Empire Bakuba, in response to the question on the position of the band, in Congolese music.

Mfumu went ahead and explained how Pepe Kalle who died on November 29th, 1998, revolutionized Congolese rumba, and gave it a whole new direction, resulting in a high-tempo soukous sub-genre, that came to define the fifth generation of Congolese music. 

In fact, according to him, this was the very first deployment of an atalaku in Congolese music, an aspect that came to define the music, even in subsequent generations, like in the fifth generation, where a band is as its atalaku, a world that's ruled by Bill Clinton, Tutu Kalounji and others.

This conversation propped up in a Nairobi hotel in 2018, where this writer was engaging the broadcaster in discussing the final details of a Tabuley's 5 fifth anniversary, which was to happen in the city hotel. 

Standing six feet tall, Pepe Kalle was big. His stage performances were iconic. His showmanship was further enhanced by his team, comprising Tumba Ayila, also known as Emoro, a dancing midget who was the exact opposite of Pepe, in physique.

The solo strings were massaged by Doris Ebuya, an extremely talented guitarist, and Kinanga Nanzao aka Kinanga Boeing. The soothing voice of Matolu Dode also known as Papy Tex and Dilu Dilumona, harmonized with the voice of the Grand Pepe, to bring out the best of Empire Bakuba. 

It has been 28 years into his death and the shadow of Pepe Kalle, born Jean Baptiste Kabasele Yampanya, who coincidentally was born on 30th November 47 years earlier, died. Pepe Kalle who Joseph Kabasele mentored, began his career with African Jazz in 1967, then a very young teenager of school-going age. 

Alongside Papy Tex, who describes him as an important pillar, one whose demise left the band staggering with no option but to crumble, Pepe's first assignment in the studio was the recording of the song 'Pardon Papi' composed by Papi Tex, while both were under the tutelage of Grand Kalle.

However, it was at the Veve studios affiliated bands of Bella Bella and Lipua Lipua that Pepe Kalle's musical star glowed bright enough to attract the attention of the music world to this singing sensation. Alongside Papy Tex, whose musical journey seemed conjoined to that of Pepe, the duo had also had a sojourn in another outfit known as African Choc.

Empire Bakuba came into existence in 1972, with Pepe Kalle, Papy Tex, and Dilu Dilumona as its core members. This was during the Cavacha wave that was sweeping across the country with rumba taking a new direction. Bands such as Zaiko were slowly discarding the saxophones and in their place, employing the guitar sebene, which worked well for performances. 

The band soared high throughout the 1970s and when the 1980s came, it was among the top bands in the country, even winning a 1982 award as the best. By the time of Pepe's death, the band's discography was swelling beyond the 300-song mark, with songs like Tika Makanisi being one of the most sought-after songs. 

In his latter days, he incorporated several other musicians, singer Nyboma, guitarist Beniko Popolipo, and Lokassa, and recorded some of his most popular hits. 

Although it has been 26 years since his demise, his music remains evergreen in the minds of his fans and this is evidenced by the fact that many programs are planned to mark this event, both in Paris and his country, Kinshasa. Although long gone, Pepe is still here with us through his music.

By Jarome Ogola

Jabulani Radio Livestream


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See also

LOKASSA YA M'BONGO

LOKASSA YA M'BONGO

KASONGO TRENDS

KASONGO TRENDS

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