The super vocalist of the defunct legendary African Rhumba music group Orchestra Super Mazembe Kasongo wa Kanema is dead.
The Rhumba legend who was originally from Congo was the lead singer in the Orchestra Super Mazembe band.
Kasongo wa Kanema collapsed and died at his Lang’ata home in Nairobi, Tuesday evening.
A close friend of his and fellow musician, Longwa Disco shared that he received the sad news of confirmation of the passing of Kasongo wa Kanema from his children, Morris and Chantal. The late Kasongo was among the last three surviving band members of the Super Mazembe band that had ten members.
Kasongo wa Kanema will be remembered for his contribution to the timeless African Rhumba music that everybody can still listen to this day. He was also heavy on charity filled with a philanthropic heart.
Through his foundation, called Watoto Foundation, he helped a lot of disadvantaged children through feeding programs and of course, through music.
He was the father of Camp Mulla’s member, Shappaman who took to social media to break the sad news of Africa losing yet another talented and gifted musician.
Shappaman promised his old man that he won’t let him down as he shared a picture of his young self together with his father, Kasongo wa Kanema.
“I love you man. I will never let you down” Shappaman shared on Instagram.
Prior to his sudden death, Kasongo had a successful operation as a result of appendicitis he suffered.
Kasongo was part of an elite group of Congolese musicians who relocated to Kenya in the early 1970s, under the tutelage of the legendary Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga, in search of greener pastures when Kinshasa held little promise for the many bands.
In Orchestra Super Mazembe’s prime, their music was heard across the globe and has established a loyal fanbase across most countries in Africa if not all.
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The Orchestra Super Mazembe band was known for numerous hit records like ‘Kassongo’, ‘Shauri Yako’, ‘Loboko’, ‘Mukala Musi’, ‘Kayembe’, ‘Longwa’, ‘Okova’, ‘Mbanda Ya Mobange’ and so many others.
Kasongo leaves behind his Kenyan wife and six children.
Prior to his untimely sudden death, Kasongo wa Kanema was in the process of recording his new 10 track studio album in nothing but in the Rhumba genre which was in Swahili, Lingala, and French.
Listen to Orchestra Super Mazembe’s ‘Shauri Yako’ timeless hit song below
He was recording the yet-to-be-named studio album in his popular Watoto Studio in Nairobi’s Yaya Centre. Kasongo planned on selling the studio album exclusively online.
The studio was run by one musician by the name of Maranata when Kasongo was in and out of the hospital.
Kasongo will be laid to rest at Langata Cemetery a place where most Congolese musicians have been buried.
Below, listen to the hit song ‘Kassongo’ that the band was known for which Kasongo Wa Kanema that Kasongo wa Kanema wrote. He was also a guitarist, singer and a respected songwriter.
