Family keeping Tabu Ley’s legacy alive

The family of Congolese musician and cultural icon Tabu Ley Rochereau will hold a series of events in Kinshasa to mark the second anniversary of his death. 

For his fans around the world, it will be a moment to reflect on the life of a man whose name is synonymous with the best in modern African music. He is remembered for mega hits like Mokolo Nakokufa, Savon Omo, Maze and Muzina.

US-based producer Mekanisi Modero told Lifestyle in a telephone interview that a memorial service in his honour.

“Despite no major concert having been planned for him in Kinshasa, family members will attend a church service and a family gathering in the evening,” he said.

Tabu Ley, who was once a provincial minister of Culture, is still recognised by the DRC government for his role in the promotion of culture.

Arguably one of the best singers of our times, his style was immortalised by fellow Congolese musicians such as Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide, Ferre Gola and the late Emeneya King Kester.

Modero said plans are underway to have an end-of-year reunion and music extravaganza for Tabu Ley’s Afrisa International Band in Las Vegas, US, on December 31.

“We have been working on an album incorporating US and Paris-based former members of the band, which will be ready in the new couple of weeks,” he said.

The tribute album will feature tracks from 1966-95, including Kaful Mayay and Micheline, and Modero’s new composition titled Ma–Fille.

Modero hopes to team up with Paris-based  solo guitarist Dino Vangu, and singers Habiba, Lo Benol, Deffard Lukombo and Wawali Bonane. They are hoping to bring in Kinshasa-based diva Mbilia Bel, who in the 1980s, was a prominent member of the Afrisa — and is the mother of Tabu Ley’s daughter Melodie.