Honoré Monzuluku Mombele (1 January 1960 – 10 January 2024) known professionally as Nono Monzuluku, was a Congolese composer and musician. He made significant contributions to Congolese music, particularly through his role as an atalaku in the influential band Zaïko Langa Langa.[1]
Nono Monzuluku | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Honoré Monzuluku Mombele |
| Born | January 1, 1960 Léopoldville, Belgian Congo (modern-day Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| Origin | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Died | January 10, 2024 (aged 64) Le Blanc-Mesnil, France |
| Genres | Congolese rumba |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Shaker |
| Years active | 1982–2024 |
| Formerly of | Zaïko Langa Langa |
Early life and career
editEarly life and musical beginnings
editMombele was born on January 1, 1960, in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was then the Belgian Congo (and was later the Republic of the Congo, then Zaire, and is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). His musical journey began as a member of the folk group Bana Odéon,[2] which included members such as Ditutala Mbuesa, Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku (congas).[3] However, he gained widespread recognition after joining Zaïko Langa Langa, one of the most influential bands in African music history, in August 1982, alongside his colleagues Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku.[3] Alongside his colleagues Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku, Mombele played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Zaïko.
Innovation
editNono Monzuluku Mombele made history as the first atalaku in modern Congolese music, pioneering the role alongside Bébé Atalaku.[4] Atalakus sing during the sebene section of a Congolese rumba song, providing energetic chants often imbued with significations or morals, while playing percussions such as shakers (before 1982, small animations were performed by the vocalists of a band). Mombele and his contemporaries introduced innovative chants and percussive elements during this section, adding depth and energy to Zaïko Langa Langa's performances.[4]
Later career
editMombele's tenure with Zaïko Langa Langa spanned over three decades, during which he participated in numerous albums and toured all around the world. Notable albums featuring Mombele include Zekete Zekete 2e Episode, Nippon Banzai, Jetez l'éponge, and Avis de Recherche. He left the band in 2008 and then settled in Paris.[1] Nono Monzuluku embarked on a solo venture in October 2021 with the release of his first and only single, "Mosisa", a 25-minute medley containing a big part of his animations. It is the longest "générique" recorded by a Congolese artist.[5]
Death
editNono Monzuluku died on January 10, 2024, in Le Blanc-Mesnil, France, due to previous health complications that caused hypertension. Three months later, his body was repatriated and buried in Kinshasa.[1]
Legacy
editHis contributions helped boost the popularity of the atalakus within Congolese bands (leading to the apparition of other atalakus such as Djuna Mumbafu, Roberto Ekokota, Bill Clinton Kalonji...) and also throughout Africa. A notable example is DJ Arafat in Ivory Coast, who gained wide recognition as an atalaku.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Musique: décès mercredi en France de l'animateur congolais Nono Atalaku" [Music: death of Congolese presenter Nono Atalaku on Wednesday in France]. ACP (in French). 10 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Rédaction (2017-12-26). "Les " Atalaku ", qui sont-ils réellement ?". Arts.cd (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ a b White, Bob W. (1999). "Modernity's Trickster: "Dipping" and "Throwing" in Congolese Popular Dance Music". Research in African Literatures. 30 (4): 156–175. ISSN 0034-5210. JSTOR 3820759.
- ^ a b Tsiehela, Guy Francis (21 November 2020). "Musique: les Atalakus et Vous" [Music: the Atalakus and You]. www.adiac-congo.com. Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Akeks, Djo (10 January 2024). "Ancien de Zaiko, Nono Monzuluku Mombele est décédé en France" [Former Zaiko, Nono Monzuluku Mombele died in France]. Factuel.cd. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ Tsala, Boni (11 January 2024). "La musique congolaise en deuil : Nono Atalaku, le célèbre animateur et " sauveur " de Zaïko est décédé" [Congolese music in mourning: Nono Atalaku, the famous host and "savior" of Zaïko has died]. www.digitalcongo.net (in French). Kinshasa, democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Victoria, Malika (12 January 2024). "RDC: Nono Monzuluku, le précurseur des "Atalaku", est décédé" [DRC: Nono Monzuluku, the precursor of Atalaku, has died]. Afrique-sur7.ci (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-03.