He died four years ago but fond memories of his prowess in musical extravaganzas continue to make Africa proud. His music, recorded in cassettes, singles, and albums during the days of turntables and record players, is still widely loved.
This is the late Congolese composer, singer, and guitarist Bopol Mansiamina, who died on November 7, 2021. He died aged 72.
At the turn of the century, all his songs were transferred to digital platforms and uploaded to YouTube, where they continue to attract audiences across the world. They remain popular and are still played on many radio stations across the region and continent.
His songs, which have lasted for decades, have made many DJs young and seasoned artists proud and popular. And young local artistes still perform Mansiamina’s songs as covers.
One of the Kenyan bands inspired by this tradition is the Vits Band, under the leadership of renowned Nakuru-based music teacher Thomas Mokaya.
“Our copies cannot match the originals. They can never be exactly the same, but we are happy to give our best when performing songs from different musicians. We only try to fit into the shoes of the original artists, even with less sophisticated instrumentation,” says Mokaya.
He describes Mansiamina’s songs as both educative and lyrically rich.
Mansiamina first made a name for himself with his original band, Orchestra Mode Success, before helping form Orchestra Four Stars in the late 1980s alongside Syran Mbenza, Wuta Mayi, and Nyboma Mwandido - all of whom are still active today while living abroad.
He produced some of the most memorable songs that continue to resonate with both younger and older generations of fans.
Some of his notable tracks with Orchestra Mode Success include Because of No Money, Pitie, Manuela and Fausta Mare. With Orchestra Four Stars, Mansiamina had popular numbers such as Hellena and Emphant Bamileke.
His tenure with Four Stars, however, did not last long before the members went their separate ways.
“He was a complete and talented musician whose music and lyrics remain vivid and sweet to rhumba fans in their original form. His songs still boom across discotheques in Kenya, Africa, and Francophone countries around the world,” says Rhumba enthusiast Jacob Owiyo.
Mansiamina’s peer Mwandido described Mansiamina as a complete musician and a comrade in the industry.
“We used to perform together on various occasions, often addressing topical and educative issues in society,” said Mwandido from Paris.
He was considered a rank just below the legendary rhumba maestros Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi and Tabu Ley Rochereau of Afrisa International.
With a wide range of popular hits, he collaborated with the likes of Lokassa Ya Mbongo and Ballou Canta on various projects. Lokassa and Mansiamina are often regarded as two of the best rhythm guitarists Africa has ever produced.
Paris-based Wuta Mayi said he had gone solo both before Mansiamina’s death.
“We had gone solo before Mansiamina’s death. But whenever we had something in common, we would reunite under the auspices of Orchestra Kekele. Here, we don’t have a leader but work in the spirit of unity while keeping the fire burning,” said Mayi, speaking in French and Lingala through interpreter Mafwala Komba.
Mayi, a product of T.P. OK Jazz Band of Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, met Mansiamina while seeking greener pastures abroad.
“We cherished our days at Four Stars and produced some of the best songs loved globally before we went our separate ways,” said Mayi.
One of the group’s most notable songs, Emphant Bamileke (1984), composed by Mansiamina, featured all four members.
Orchestra Virunga band leader Samba Mapangala describes Mansiamina as an astute singer. “We admired him in his heyday when he performed alongside some of the most experienced artists in the rhumba industry,” said Mapangala from Maryland, USA, where he has lived for over two decades.
In the words of former Four Stars singer Wuta Mayi: “Franco and Bopol were legends of the same generation, but of different capacities.”
