 |
| |
 Awilo
Longomba was born in Kinshasa (formally, Léopoldville).
His father was from the Mongo region of the Ecuador
and his mother was also from the Ecuador region
of Ngombe and Congo Brazzaville. His father, Vicky
Longomba, was the famous lead singer and founder
of “Tout puissant OK Jazz” during the
golden age of Congolese rumba, had a big influence
on our artist. Since childhood, Awilo spent every
waking moment in the music scenes attending his
father’s rehearsals. Very quickly his passion
for music grew, and instead of going to classes,
he started drumming for various groups of Kinshasa,
including “l’orchestre de Lita Bembo.
He joined the orchestra “Viva La Musica”
led by the great Papa Wemba as a drummer, and Awilo
had his real first taste of live performance on
his first international tour in Europe and to Japan
in 1985 and 1986.
|
As the fever he caught during his tour grew stronger,
he decided to pursue his artistic carrier and moved
to France. His reputation as one of the best drummers
in France spread very quickly. This allowed him
to collaborate on numerous records and toured worldwide
with several African artists such as Tshala Muana,
Oliver Ngoma, Kanda Bongo Man just to name a few.
But Awilo’s ambition didn't stop there. In
1992 he decided to leave “Viva La Musica”
and formed his own group “La Nouvelle Génération”
of which he became the leader. This new band became
very popular in Europe and produced several albums.
|
| |
 In
1995, the career of Awilo, the singer, took off
and he left “La Nouvelle Génération”.
He released his first solo album “Moto Pamba”
in which, he was the composer, the lead singer and
of course the drummer. The Techno-Soukous star was
born. His success couldn’t be ignored! He
finally put the drums down and decided to concentrate
on his singing and started touring in East Africa
and in Europe. This first CD land him the “Best
Central Africa Artist Awards” at the KORA
AWARDS 1996 and 1997 (All Africa Music Awards, held
in Sun City, South Africa)
Since then, it has been non-stop for Awilo. His
second round in the studio validated his popularity.
He released “Coupe Bibamba”, in 1998
with the collaboration of Jocelyne Bérouard.
The controversial title cut “Coupé
Bibamba” that denounces poverty in Africa
with catchy song lines: Comment tu t'appelles? Je
m'appelle... Coupé Coupé Bibamba!
The title hits the number 1 spot on the African
and European charts very quick and stayed for several
weeks. Several titles from the same CD followed.
|
|
 |
 Mondongo
2003 |
| |
 Kafou
Kafou
2000 |
| |
 Coupe
Bibamba
1998 |
| |
 Moto
Pamba
1995 |
| |
 Kafou
Kafou DVD
2003 |
| |
 Coupe
Bibamba DVD
2003 |
|
|
|
In July 2000, Awilo released his third CD “Kafou
Kafou” this CD sent him back to the KORA 2001 where
Awilo was recognized for his outstanding contribution
to African music and received “Judges Special Awards”
during the KORA 2001.
Awilo is the MOST WANTED Congolese artists on the African
continent and Europe. He has toured in African counties
such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso,
Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Zambia,
Gabon, Mali etc...). Awilo also has toured in Europe (Switzerland,
Belgium, Great Britain etc…) as well as the United
States.
His talent received notoriety when Sony music requested
a remix funk version of his "Coupé bibamba"
with James D-Train to be included in the compilation "Tribute
to the Funk" released in June 2003 and became a summer
hit. The remix will also be included in “African
Dance Floor” compilation. Awilo also performed at
Zenith concert hall in Paris with other American artists
(Jocelyn Brown, Anita Ward, Imagination…) who were
part of the compilation.
Awilo has once again demonstrated his talent by producing
his latest CD “Mondongo”. It is an electrifying
blend of kompas, rumba, R&B and soukouss... with the
collaboration of other great African artists such as Lokua
Kanza, "Mondongo" is a guaranteed success!.
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Search |
|
|
| |
| |
 |
Shopping
Cart |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Customer
Service |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
