Orchestra Super Mazembe was a popular band based in Kenya

Kenya

Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...

 playing Lingala (Soukous

Soukous

Soukous is a dance music genre that originated in the two neighbouring countries of Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa...

) music. The band had roots in Super Vox, a band formed in 1967 in Zaire

Zaire

The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...

 and led by Mutonkole Longwa Didos. The band moved to Nairobi

Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...

 in 1974 and changed its name to Orchestra Super Mazembe.

Their biggest hit was "Shauri Yako", a cover song originally performed by Nguashi Ntimbo and Festival Du Zaire. Other popular songs included "Samba", "Bwana Nipe Pesa" and "Kassongo". The group was disbanded in 1985.

Super Mazembe is considered as one of the golden era of Kenyan Lingala music acts alongside Les Mangelepa

Les Mangelepa

Les Mangelepa is a musical group from Kenya. It is considered as one of the golden era of Kenyan Lingala music acts alongside Super Mazembe, Baba Gaston and Samba Mapangala....

, Baba Gaston and Samba Mapangala

Samba Mapangala

Samba Mapangala born in Matadi in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. He spent early 70's with various bands in Kinshasa, before moving to Uganda in 1975 where he and some other Congolese musicians formed the Les Kinois band. They moved to Nairobi in 1977. He formed a new band, the...

.

Band members

Like many East African and Congolese groups, Super Mazembe experienced constant line-up changes.

Original lineup :

• Lovy Longomba (vocals) - Left the band in 1981 and formed groups "Super Lovy" and later "Bana Likasi". He died in 1996. Lovy is son of Vicky Longomba
  Vicky Longomba
  Vicky Longomba was a singer and a founding member of Tout puissant OK Jazz, a Congolese rumba group.He later formed his own group, Lovy du Zaire....
  
   and brother of Awilo Longomba
  Awilo Longomba
  Awilo Longomba is a Congolese musician who was a drummer in Viva la Musica, Stukas, Nouvelle Generation and Loketo. In 1995, he finally quit drumming for singing and released his first album Moto Pamba with help from Shimita, Ballou Canta, Dindo Yogo, Dally Kimoko, Sam Mangwana, Syran Mbenza and...
  
  , both famous Congolese musicians. Lovy's sons Christian and Lovi have formed Longombas
  Longombas
  - Career :The group consists of Christian and Lovi Longomba, who are twins. They are from musical family; their father Lovy Longomba was a member of Super Mazembe, while their grandfather Vicky Longomba was a member of TPOK Jazz. France-based Congolese musician Awilo Longomba is their uncle .The...
  
  , today a popular hip hop group in Kenya.
• Kassongo Wa Kanema (vocals) -Left the band in early 80'a and joined Orchestra Virunga.
• Atia Jo (Frederick Mulunguluke Mwanza) (bass guitar) -Died 2006
• Bukasa wa Bukasa "Bukalos" (lead guitar) -Died 1989'
• Rapok Kayembe Miketo (guitar) -Died 1991
• Komba Kassongo Songoley (guitar) -Died 1990
• Mutonkole Longwa Didos (vocals)-Died 1999
• Fataki Lokassa -deceased
• Lobe Mapako -deceased
• Talos -deceased
• Dodo Dorris

Some of the later members:

• Loboko Bua Mangala (guitar)
• Kilambe Katele Aley (vocals)
• Mwanza wa Mwanza Mulunguluke (bass guitar)
• Kitenge Ngoi wa Kitombole (drums)
• Musa Olokwiso Mangala

Albums

• Mazembe (1980)
• 10th Anniversary (1981)
• Double Gold (1982)
• Kaivaska (1982) — Virgin Records
  Virgin Records
  Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
  
  
• Wabe-Aba (1984)

Compilations

• Their Greatest Hits (1986)
• Maloba D' Amor (1990) — DiscAfrique
• Hits of Mazembe vol. 4
• Giants of East Africa (2001) — Earthworks/Stern's Music

External links

• http://www.afropop.org/explore/band_info/ID/311/Super%20Mazembe/
• http://www.muzikifan.com/shika.html