Jossart N'Yoka Longo | |
|---|---|
 Jossart N’Yoka Longo in 2024. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Jehrsy Jossart • N’Yoch N’Yoka Longo |
| Born | 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 |
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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.[1][2]
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.[3] During his long career, he composed numerous hits, including “Sentiment Awa”, “Dédé sur Mesure”, “SVP Mbey” as well as “Paiement Cash”.[4]
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.[5][6]
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.[7] He was elected PCA of SOCODA in September 2021.[8]
- ^ "Congo-Kinshasa: 56 ans d'âge, Jossart Nyoka Longo n'a pas encore dit son dernier mot!" [Congo-Kinshasa: 56 years old, Jossart Nyoka Longo has not yet said his last word!]. Laprosperiteonline.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. September 11, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "À l'Affiche ! - Le leader de Zaïko Langa Langa célèbre 50 ans de carrière et interpelle les "combattants"". France 24 (in French). March 2, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ Stewart, Gary (November 17, 2003). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. ISBN 978-1-85984-368-0.
- ^ "M'Vula N'Yoka Longo". Discogs. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ "Zaiko Langa Langa : Palmares". Archived from the original on July 14, 2003.
- ^ Messager (March 24, 2017). "Les meilleurs de l'année 1979". MBOKAMOSIKA (in French). Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ "Journal officiel de la République démocratique du Congo, 15 janvier 2016" (PDF). Journal officiel de la République démocratique du Congo.
- ^ "Elus lors de l'Assemblée Générale Ordinaire/SOCODA : Voici Nyoka Longo et ses 11 disciples du Conseil d'Administration !". Journal La Prospérité.