Ricky Mulolo is re-engineering a revolution in Lingala music and is already seeing fruits of his labour, writes Stevens Muendo

As Soukous music began to conquer London and Paris in the late 1980s, a young Ricky Mulolo was warming up to what would one day turn as a reputable music career.

The genre’s big cats such as Kanda Bongoman, Papa Wemba, Koffie Olomide, Pepe Kale, Diblo Dibala, Madilu Systems and Loketo were leading the conquest that inspired a generation of artistes.

Just like every young Congolese upcoming artistes back then, he adored Kanda’s fast but short danceable tracks, which popularised the Kwassa Kwassa dance. He prayed that one day, he would too leave Kinshasa and make it to France.

So when the opportunity came in 2004 after turning 23, Ricky did not think twice. He packed his bags ready for London where a leading Soukous promoter was waiting to award him a lucrative singing contract. Then, there was a twist in the tale.

New deal

"I had been playing with several bands in Kinshasa when a powerful promoter acquired a visa for me and 14 other upcoming stars to move to Paris. I was excited, knowing my childhood dream had come true," the talented composer and singer said.

"We got to Dar es Salaam to connect our flight abroad as arranged. But something was a miss. The promoter was arrested for being involved in dubious businesses and we got caught in the ring. It was every man for himself. With only one pair of clothes and cash that could hardly sustain me, I decided to seek refuge in Mombasa," recalls Ricky, now leader of Idologia Musica, the leading Soukous band at the Coast.

Seeking success

It was just the other day when Ricky invited leading Mombasa-based songstress Nyota Ndogo to record a collaboration Rumba track entitled Job is Job. This follows his debut album Antation released in 2008.

The single will be the title track for Ricky’s sophomore album due to be released this month.

Even though the singer’s previous releases such as Mapenzi ya Faida and Sweet Love — now receiving playtime on the airwaves — have made him one of the most sought after stars at the Coast, Ricky admits that his current success did not come on a silver platter.

"I was born to a polygamous father and in a family where music was in the genes. I started working Werason’s soloist Kimbirungu and Koffie’s rapper Teun whom we later recorded songs with.

Creating band

"But my departure from Kinshasa to Mombasa, a strange town where I knew nobody when still limited in finances, was a major setback in my career. It took over a year before I recollected my strength to do music," Ricky quips.

With concerts coming his way with his growing popularity, Ricky put together the Idologia Musica, a 15-man band which is now the resident band at the busy Mtwapa Legends Club.

"We have been touring Europe for concerts some of which are organised by promoters working with leading Congolese singers based in France.

However, our greatest joy is derived from the fact that Kenyan fans have now embraced us as their own," Ricky says of his band formed two years ago.

"As much as Paris is the home to the best studios that recorded for the African and Caribbean markets, I believe that Soukous, which is popularly known as Lingala in Kenya, is regaining its popularity and we are out to set the pace. I am developing a centre to train artistes on Soukous music complete with a recording studio which will be set up in Mombasa," Ricky remarks.

Major revolution

According to Ricky, with the emergence of a new generation of Soukous singers, Lingala is set for a major revolution.

"It is common knowledge that Soukous music is still dominating dance floors in Eastern, Western and Central Africa.

"The swing, booty-shaking Soukous ndombolo which became popular with Awilo Longomba, Extra Musica, Wenge Musica, Arlus Mabele and Koffi Olomide is still on top. But the old beat is coming back. Soukous is set to go back to its roots," he concludes.