Madilu’s system shuts down
Aug 23, 2007
WHILE fans of Afrigo Band were mourning the death of the band’s legendary saxophonist Mansur Bulegeya, a fortnight ago, elsewhere in Congo, fans of rumba soukous music, were grieving the death of one of the pillars of Congolese music –– Madilu System.
By Joseph Batte
WHILE fans of Afrigo Band were mourning the death of the band’s legendary saxophonist Mansur Bulegeya, a fortnight ago, elsewhere in Congo, fans of rumba soukous music, were grieving the death of one of the pillars of Congolese music –– Madilu System.
According to reports from Kinshasa, in Congo, Madilu System was admitted to hospital complaining of fatigue. There were conflicting reports about the cause of his death.
It is said he also suffered from diabetes, but it is believed he died of heart failure.
Madilu left a mark not only in Congo but all over Africa.
The 57-year-old musician was born Jean de Dieu Bialu Madilu and started his music career at 19 in 1969.
His music journey saw him singing with Orchestra Symba and Orchestra Bambula, which was led by Papa Noel of Sama Mangwana Festival de Maguirsards.
At the time, he was just your average singer, dreaming of making a break one day. And that break came when he met Franco Luambo Makiadi of TPOK Jazz Band in the 80s.
The grand master (grand maitre) noticed something unique about young Madilu that stood out.
After establishing that he had a ‘system’ of singing, Franco dubbed him Madilu System, a name that stuck till he died. The two even shared lead vocals on Franco’s long story songs, Franco singing the narrative and Madilu assuming the role of the protagonist.
The first song that introduced the new TPOK Jazz singer to fans was Mamou (Tu Vois). Soon after that Madilu followed with his composition Pesa Position.
The best of all was the global hit Mario and Reponse de Mario (Mario’s Response) in 1985. Madilu trading verses with Franco in his husky tenor are among the song’s highlights. But the track that is considered to be the best of the Franco-Madilu duet was La Vie des Hommes which was released in 1986.
After the death of Franco in 1989, Madilu left TPOK Jazz and went solo. He collaborated with guitarist Shiko Mawatu, singer Nyboma Canta, bass guitarist Ngouma Lokito, lead guitarist Dally Kimoko, rhythm guitarist Lokassa Ya Mbongo, Rigo Star Felix Wazekwa and Papa Wemba yielded string hits like Stop Feu Rouge with Nyboma.
Madilu’s solo albums are L’ Eau, Pouvoir, Bonheur, Tenant du Titre and the last one La Bonne humeur, which was released a month before his death.
His fans believe La Bonne Humeur could be the best recording Madilu has ever made in his career. He had gone to Kinshasa to film videos of his new songs. He collapsed on August 10 and was taken to the University Hospital, where he died the next morning.
Over the years, Congo has produced singers with more vocal range and more force and sweeter tones than Madilu. But few of them sung with the expressiveness of Madilu or had the ability to make the character live with their voice in a popular Congolese singing style called Mbwakela.
Philly Lutaaya, Elly Wamala, Jimmy Katumba were a great loss to Uganda. Madilu System was a great loss to African music as a whole. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Okendeke malamu Madilu.
DISCOGRAPHY
Style: Rumba Soukous
Albums:
1.’Stop Feu Rouge-Voisin’
(with Nyiboma,
Pepe Kalle)
2.Sans Commentaire
3.Frere Edouard
4.Bonheur
5.Sans Rature
6.Album 95
7.L’eau
8.Pouvoir
Best Duets with Franco
Luambo Makiadi:
1. Mario
2. Reponse de Mario
3. Mamou
4. La Vie Des Hommes
5. Ofela
Popular Singles:
1.Ya Jean
2.Pie Mboyo
3.Autoroute
4.Apula
5.Nzele
WHILE fans of Afrigo Band were mourning the death of the band’s legendary saxophonist Mansur Bulegeya, a fortnight ago, elsewhere in Congo, fans of rumba soukous music, were grieving the death of one of the pillars of Congolese music –– Madilu System.
According to reports from Kinshasa, in Congo, Madilu System was admitted to hospital complaining of fatigue. There were conflicting reports about the cause of his death.
It is said he also suffered from diabetes, but it is believed he died of heart failure.
Madilu left a mark not only in Congo but all over Africa.
The 57-year-old musician was born Jean de Dieu Bialu Madilu and started his music career at 19 in 1969.
His music journey saw him singing with Orchestra Symba and Orchestra Bambula, which was led by Papa Noel of Sama Mangwana Festival de Maguirsards.
At the time, he was just your average singer, dreaming of making a break one day. And that break came when he met Franco Luambo Makiadi of TPOK Jazz Band in the 80s.
The grand master (grand maitre) noticed something unique about young Madilu that stood out.
After establishing that he had a ‘system’ of singing, Franco dubbed him Madilu System, a name that stuck till he died. The two even shared lead vocals on Franco’s long story songs, Franco singing the narrative and Madilu assuming the role of the protagonist.
The first song that introduced the new TPOK Jazz singer to fans was Mamou (Tu Vois). Soon after that Madilu followed with his composition Pesa Position.
The best of all was the global hit Mario and Reponse de Mario (Mario’s Response) in 1985. Madilu trading verses with Franco in his husky tenor are among the song’s highlights. But the track that is considered to be the best of the Franco-Madilu duet was La Vie des Hommes which was released in 1986.
After the death of Franco in 1989, Madilu left TPOK Jazz and went solo. He collaborated with guitarist Shiko Mawatu, singer Nyboma Canta, bass guitarist Ngouma Lokito, lead guitarist Dally Kimoko, rhythm guitarist Lokassa Ya Mbongo, Rigo Star Felix Wazekwa and Papa Wemba yielded string hits like Stop Feu Rouge with Nyboma.
Madilu’s solo albums are L’ Eau, Pouvoir, Bonheur, Tenant du Titre and the last one La Bonne humeur, which was released a month before his death.
His fans believe La Bonne Humeur could be the best recording Madilu has ever made in his career. He had gone to Kinshasa to film videos of his new songs. He collapsed on August 10 and was taken to the University Hospital, where he died the next morning.
Over the years, Congo has produced singers with more vocal range and more force and sweeter tones than Madilu. But few of them sung with the expressiveness of Madilu or had the ability to make the character live with their voice in a popular Congolese singing style called Mbwakela.
Philly Lutaaya, Elly Wamala, Jimmy Katumba were a great loss to Uganda. Madilu System was a great loss to African music as a whole. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Okendeke malamu Madilu.
DISCOGRAPHY
Style: Rumba Soukous
Albums:
1.’Stop Feu Rouge-Voisin’
(with Nyiboma,
Pepe Kalle)
2.Sans Commentaire
3.Frere Edouard
4.Bonheur
5.Sans Rature
6.Album 95
7.L’eau
8.Pouvoir
Best Duets with Franco
Luambo Makiadi:
1. Mario
2. Reponse de Mario
3. Mamou
4. La Vie Des Hommes
5. Ofela
Popular Singles:
1.Ya Jean
2.Pie Mboyo
3.Autoroute
4.Apula
5.Nzele