Jossart N'Yoka Longo

Jossart N'Yoka Longo ONH (September 7, 1953) is a Congolese singer, songwriter and producer. After starting his career within Bel Guide National in 1969, he became the third member, after Papa Wemba and Félix Manuaku Waku, of the legendary group Zaïko Langa Langa, of which he later established himself as the main leader.

Jossart N'Yoka Longo ONH
Jossart N’Yoka Longo in 2024.
Background information
Also known as	Jehrsy Jossart • N’Yoch N’Yoka Longo
Born	(1953-09-07) September 7, 1953 Kinshasa, Belgian Congo, now Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genres	Congolese rumba
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, dancer, producer
Years active	1967–present
Labels	ProZal
Member of	Zaïko Langa Langa

His first song released, “La Tout Neige”, in 1970, was a great success and peaked in the Zairian charts for many weeks from August 1971. During his long career, he composed numerous hits, including “Sentiment Awa”, “Dédé sur Mesure”, “SVP Mbey” as well as “Paiement Cash”.

In 1982, he became one of the founders of the ProZal label, abbreviation of Production Zaïko Langa Langa, which ensures the production of the ensemble he directs.

In total, Jossart N'Yoka Longo participated vocally in 31 out of 33 official Zaïko Langa Langa studio albums, and published more than fifty singles during the 1970s and early 1980s. Two of his songs, “Nalali Pongi” and “Sentiment Awa”, were voted "Best song of the year" by the Zairian press, in 1976 and 1979 respectively.

As leader of Zaïko Langa Langa, he has performed on numerous international stages in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, including the Zénith de Paris, the Elysée Montmartre, the Bataclan, the Cirque d’Hiver or even La Madeleine.

Already a confirmed legend and a mythical character in Congolese music, he was decorated in December 2015 by former President Joseph Kabila in the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba as a Knight. He was elected PCA of SOCODA in September 2021.

Early life and career

Early life

Jossart N'Yoka Longo, born on September 7, 1953, in Léopoldville, now known as Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to Élisabeth Saka Mayamba and Daniel M'Vula Malembe.

He is the second and last child of this family. His older sister was named Albertine Longo. Jossart is a French acronym, "José will be an artist." He completed his secondary education at Albert Ier College.

Jossart grew up in the Ndjili commune. He had no intention of becoming a musician and was close to many priests. He appreciated the music of the young group Los Nickelos, which influenced him and his future Zaïko orchestra colleagues.

Jossart N'Yoka Longo began his musical activities by singing in a parish before joining the young group Bel Guide National in 1967, which dissolved in 1969 after administrator D.V. Moanda was impressed by the voice of a young visitor during a rehearsal, a certain Jules Shungu Wembadio, later known as Papa Wemba. The latter performed Tabu Ley Rochereau's song "Adios Théthé," accompanied by Manuaku on the guitar. The next day, on December 24, during a meeting, the administrators of Bel Guide decided to dissolve the group and form a new one, keeping Jules and selected members from the newly disbanded group, including N'Yoka Longo and Félix Manuaku Waku. They then created the Zaïko Langa Langa group. Tabu Ley was the “godfather” of the new structure. Zaïko later embodied a whole generation and left several trademarks, including the current "sebene" style, also called the dancing part.

1969–now: Zaïko Langa Langa

N’Yoka Longo in 1979.

On March 24, 1970, N'Yoka Longo was one of the singers who performed at the first concert of Zaïko Langa Langa at the Dancing Hawaï in Kinshasa, and he released his first song, "La Tout Neige," in 1970, one of the early hits of the group.

In 1971, when President Mobutu launched the Authenticité, Jossart renamed himself N'Yoka Longo M'Vula, taking the name "Longo" from his sister's name.

In 1973, Zaïko Langa Langa was named "Best Orchestra of Zaïre 1973" for the first time, and again the following year. N'Yoka Longo's older sister passed away in 1973 at the age of 22.

The Zaïko orchestra released their second album, titled "Plaisir de l'ouest Afrique," in 1976, recorded in Accra during their tour in Ghana under the direction of Henri Bowane. N'Yoka Longo wrote the songs "Ma," "Bomuana," and "Saloti."

Jossart expressed his sadness over this difficult experience in the song "Nalali Pongi" (released later in 1976), which was awarded "Best Song of the Year" in 1976 and earned the group the title of "Best Orchestra of the Year."

In 1977, he was selected, along with Likinga Redo, Manuaku Waku, and Mbuta Mashakado, to join the National Orchestra of Zaïre (ONAZA), where he had the opportunity to sing with Tabu Ley Rochereau and participate with them in the Second World Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) held in Lagos, Nigeria. His song "Nalali Pongi" was added to the orchestra's repertoire.

N'Yoka Longo recorded a second version of the song "Sentiment Awa" in 1979, which earned him the second position in the ranking of best authors of the year. The group was ranked as the fourth-best group of the year. In September 1981, the group faced another defection when Evoloko Jocker, Bozi Boziana, and many others left to create the Langa Langa Stars.

The third LP of Zaïko Langa Langa, "Gitta présente le Tout-choc Zaïko Langa Langa," was released in 1981. N'Yoka Longo composed two songs, "Mobembo" and "Confiance." In the following album, "Tout Choc," released in 1982, he composed "Amour Suicide."

These two albums were recorded in Brussels in 1980 before the creation of Langa Langa Stars and the group's separation from their producer Verckys Kiamuangana in 1981. The fifth album of the group (also the first double album) was recorded before the contract rupture but was released in September 1982 under the title "Nkolo Mboka," in which Jossart recorded the hit "SOS Maya."

During the official presentation of the album on October 30, 1982, Animation [atalaku(s)] was inducted for the first time in modern Congolese music. This phenomenon became widespread in other African musical genres, including coupé-décalé. Its introduction is credited to the group, and particularly to N'Yoka Longo.

After the death of D.V. Moanda in January 1984, Jossart N'Yoka Longo became the leader of the Zaïko Langa Langa group, succeeding Teddy Sukami, who began his solo career in 1981.

N'Yoka did not participate vocally in the tenth album of Zaïko, "On gagne le Procès," released in 1984. Alongside Matima, he artistically directed the group.

In the two albums released by the group in 1985 ("Zaïko Eyi Nkisi" and "Tala Modèle Echanger"), N'Yoka Longo respectively composed the songs "SVP Mbey" and "Daïd'ano."

Three albums were released in 1986. Jossart composed the song "Paiement Cash" in the album "Pusa Kuna...Serrez ! Serrez !"

N'Yoka Longo was part of the group members who went on a Japanese tour in October 1986, during which they recorded their 16th album titled "Nippon Banzai." Jossart wrote two covers in the medley: "SVP Mbey" and "Sentiment Awa."

In early 1987, a leadership war broke out among the administrators of Zaïko, leading to a split of the group into two factions in May of the following year. The new faction, which included a significant percentage of the original core members, formed the group "Zaïko Langa Langa Familia Dei," led by Bimi Ombale, Bakunde Ilo Pablo, and Lengi Lenga.

On N'Yoka Longo's side, with eight remaining musicians, recruitment began to rebuild the Zaïko Langa Langa flagship. Many controversial interviews with music journalists took place, in which Jossart and his former colleagues exchanged jibes.

Before this split, in December 1987, the album "Subissez les Conséquences" was released, in which N'Yoka Longo participated vocally but did not write any songs.

The following year, Jossart and his group recorded their 18th album, "Jetez l'éponge," in Brussels, following the concept of "Nippon Banzai," in which he wrote two covers: "SOS Maya" and "Pa Oki."

From 1991 to 1993, Jossart N'Yoka Longo was appointed as the director of Soneca, Zaire’s Society of Editors, Composers, and Authors.

In 1992, he was arrested alongside Koffi Olomidé after being summoned to the Attorney General's office in Kinshasa for obscene performances in their songs. They were released three days later and resumed their musical activities.

Between 1990 and 1991, Zaïko Langa Langa released two albums: "Içi ça va ! Fungola motema" and "Jamais sans nous." N'Yoka Longo composed "Dédé," a song that quickly became famous and was remixed in the next album, "Avis de Recherche," in 1995. The song "Zekira" was also written by him, along with "Nzete ya Mbila," "Molingano," "Mukaji," and finally, a version of "Amour suicide." This album was supposed to be N'Yoka Longo's first solo album.

That year, the group went on a two-year European tour. During the tour, they produced the albums "Sans Issue" in 1996 and "Backline Lesson One" in 1997.

On October 2, 1998, their 24th album, "Nous y sommes," was released, containing seven songs, with two of them composed by N'Yoka Longo: the covers of "Paiement Cash" and "Amando." The purpose of the album was primarily to showcase the capabilities of the new group members.

At the end of 1999, the album "Poison" was released with 10 songs, and N'Yoka Longo was credited as the author of two: "Liloba" and "Tonton Ben B."

In 2001, the maxi-single "Feeling" was released, he composed two songs out of three.

2002–2009: Zenith Paris concert and European tour

On September 7, 2002, on the occasion of his 49th birthday, Jossart N'Yoka Longo led Zaïko Langa Langa to the stage of the Zénith Paris, where they gave a sold-out 5-hour concert. This marked the beginning of another European tour for the group, but it also initiated a seven-year period during which the group was stuck in Brussels due to legal document issues.

In November 2003, he was arrested in Belgium for possessing counterfeit visas but was later released on bail by the Congolese government.

During the seven-year period in Europe, while performing one concert after another, three albums were released: "Euréka," "Empreinte," and "Rencontres."

In "Euréka," he composed two songs: "Eza Nga!" and "Ngoma."

In "Empreinte," released on December 3, 2004, he wrote four songs: "Qui dit mieux," "Jusqu'où" (in a duet with Sam Mangwana), "Les 19 minutes de Ngwasuma," and a version of "Nzete ya Mbila" (with the daughters of Zaïko’s former sponsor, Gustave Bongo).

For the album "Rencontres," released on September 7, 2007, N'Yoka Longo invited some of his former colleagues, including Beniko Zangilu Popolipo, guitarist Bopol Mansiamina, Malage, and one of his influences, the singer Tony Dee Bokito, a former member of Los Nickelos. This album did not receive as much promotion as the previous ones and went relatively unnoticed. He composed the song "Amour pluriel" in this album.

After this extended period, Jossart N'Yoka Longo decided to return to Kinshasa. He went back in February 2009 with only eight musicians, as a significant portion of the original group composition at the beginning of the tour had remained in Europe and subsequently formed a short-lived group called "Les Stars de Zaïko."

2009–2019: Return to Kinshasa and “Bande Annonce”

In July 2010, N'Yoka Longo received new musical instruments from the governors of Kinshasa and Brazzaville after Zaïko Langa Langa was crowned the "Best Orchestra of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Two Congos."

On August 6, 2011, N'Yoka Longo and Zaïko Langa Langa returned to the music scene with a new album titled "Bande Annonce," for which he was credited as the composer of all the songs, except "Eka," composed by Tony Dee. The album was a great success, and the dance "Mukongo ya Koba" ("the turtle's back" in Lingala) was awarded the "Best Dance" at the ninth edition of the Muana Mboka Trophy.

On August 2, 2014, they released the EP "Sisikaaaaaahh! Moto na moto na...," a remix of "Bande Annonce," following the popularity of their dance "Maman Siska" with an additional track and a bonus track added to the original list. The album was produced by Dios Mena and distributed by Prozal. The lead single, "Susu Atambuli Yenga", achieved significant success in Kinshasa.

From October 2018 to April 2019, the group embarked on a tour in the United States and Canada.

2019–now: Zaïko Langa Langa's fifth decade

On September 7, 2019, the album "Sève" was released in honor of the festivities for the 50th anniversary of the group. Jossart N'Yoka Longo composed seven tracks on the album, including "Système ya Benda," "Yaka M," "Alita wanyi," "Sielumuka," "Ambiance Eyenga," and cover versions of "Amour pluriel" and "Boh."

After more than ten years of absence from European stages, N'Yoka Longo and Zaïko Langa Langa performed at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels on February 29, 2020, to celebrate the group's golden jubilee.

Personal life

N'Yoka Longo has fathered 9 children, all from marital relationships. He is currently married to Nelly Mbiya.

Discography

With Zaïko Langa Langa

• Non Stop Dancing (1974)
• Plaisir de l'Ouest Afrique (volumes 1 and 2) (1976)
• Gitta Production présente le Tout-Choc Zaïko Langa-Langa (1981)
• Tout choc (1982)
• Nkolo mboka (volumes 1 and 2) (1982)
• La tout neige, Christine & Nalali mpongui (1983)
• L'orchestre de tous les âges (1983)
• Muvaro / Etape (1983)
• Zekete Zekete 2è épisode (1983)
• On gagne le procès (Artistic director) (1984)
• Tout-choc Anti-choc Zaïko Langa Langa en Europe (1984)
• Zaïko eyi nkisi (1985)
• Tala modèle échanger (1985)
• Eh Ngoss ! Eh Ngoss ! Eh Ngoss ! (1986)
• Pusa kuna... Serrez serrez (1986)
• Nippon Banzai (1986)
• Papa Omar (1987)
• Subissez les conséquences (1987)
• Jetez l'éponge (1989)
• Ici ça va... Fungola motema (1990)
• Jamais sans nous (1991)
• Avis de Recherche (1995)
• Sans Issue (1996)
• Backline Lesson One (1997)
• Nous y sommes (1998)
• Poison (1999)
• Feeling (2001)
• Euréka ! (2002)
• Empreinte (2004)
• Rencontres (2007)
• Bande Annonce (2011)
• Sisikaaaaaahh! Moto na Moto na... (2014)
• Sève (2019)

References

• Nyoka Longo: The Charismatic Leader of Zaiko Langa Langa