| Emeneya Djo Kester Mubiala - Joined Viva from student orchestra ‘Les Kasapards’ in 1977. Enjoyed immense popularity through many hits for Viva beginning with the song ‘Ata Nkale’ in 1977. When Wemba left for Afrisa in 1979, Emeneya was appointed ‘Chef de la Direction Artistique’ in Papa Wemba’s absence. Emeneya’s other Viva hits included 1980s ‘Dikando’ and 1981s ‘N’Gonda’ . In 1982 Emeneya lead the an exodus of musicians to form the new orchestra Victoria Eleison. He assumed full leadership of Victoria after the departure of co-founder Bipoli. Since 1983 Emeneya has retained control of Victoria Eleison, keeping the orchestra at the forefront of public interest. In 1992 he also took Victoria Eleison on a tour of Japan. Emeneya currently leads Victoria Eleison as well as undertaking a celebrated solo career under the name ‘King Kester’. | |||||||||||||
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| Esperant Djengaka - One of Viva’s first members, joining in 1976 from orchestra Tabu National. Although first Chef of Viva La Musica, he lead a defection of musicians to form Kawara Musica in 1978. He returned to Viva only after the personal invitation of Papa Wemba. Esperant enjoyed considerable success in 1979 and 1980 with his compositions ‘Mbongwana’ and ‘Beloti’ (Zairian music industry 45 of the year in 1980). Esperant left Viva in 1981 for new orchestra 7 Patrons De Langa Langa Stars. After a successful solo career spanning the mid 1980s (including 1985's La Guerre Des Stars LP with Wemba), he rejoined Viva La Musica in Paris during the late 1980s, partaking in both concerts and recorded work. Sadly, Esperant became ill and died in 1995. | |||||||||||||
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| Pepe Bipoli - Original animateur of Viva La Musica, joining in late 1976. From the start Bipoli established himself as a great favourite of the Viva fanatics, renown for his outrageous animations and dancing. Bipoli defected with Esperant and Jadot to form Kawara Musica in 1978 but returned to Viva soon afterwards. Upon his return he introduced the animation ‘ Bipoli abulungani e Vis àVis’ insuring that everyone knew he was back. He enjoyed particular success with his 1979 hit ‘Conceil Amisi’ and his 1982 hit ‘Ami Kapangala’ . With Emeneya, Bipoli co-lead the defection of musicians to form the new orchestra Victoria Eleison. However, after internal problems, Bipoli left Victoria Eleison in late 1983 for orchestra Choc Stars. Soon after, he returned toVictoria Eleison, then left again in 1984 to form his own breakaway orchestra called Véritable Victoria Principal. After the dissolution of this band, Bipoli attempted several reconciliations with Papa Wemba and Viva, but was never properly reintegrated into the orchestra, although he played the odd concert and appeared on an occasional Viva release. | |||||||||||||
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Djuna Djanana - Inspired animateur who joined Viva in 1977 after the dissolution of orchestra Isifi Melodia (formerly Isifi Lokole). Djanana enjoyed early success in Viva particularly through his songs ‘Tusol’ and ‘Zou Zou Mere Ebos’. Djanana left Viva in October 1981 to join the new orchestra, 7 Patrons De Langa Langa Stars. After the 7 Patrons dissolution in the mid 1980s Djanana left for a period with orchestra Choc Stars, later returning briefly to Langa Langa Stars. During the late 1980s he undertook a solo career, and was reintegrated into Viva La Musica after the 1992 (Nouvelle Génération) split. Djanana remains a current member of Viva La Musica - Cour Des Grands and is much respected for the catchy and entertaining animations he continues to produce. | ||||||||||||
| Fafa De Molokai - Joined Viva La Musica in 1977 from Isifi Melodia (formerly Isifi Lokole) upon its disintegration. Enjoyed success pre-1982 with notable hits such as ‘Bolingo Ya Passionat’. Remained with Viva post the 1982 Victoria Eleison split and played a key role during 1983 and 1984 with hit 45s ‘La Fille de Chance’ , ‘Djeni Ambro’ and ‘Coup Monte’. Accompanied Wemba on the orchestra’s 1987 relocation to Paris and released three LPs between 1987 and 1992, as well as retaining his place as a consistent member of the band's live line-up. Fafa left Viva in 1992 to co-form La Nouvelle Génération De La République Démocratique with whom he continued to record and perform until their final dislocation in 1998. | |||||||||||||
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Dindo Yogo - Former member of orchestras Macchi and Etumba Ya N’gwaka, who joined Viva in 1978 after being recruited by Wemba. Prior to his integration, Dindo had intended to give up playing professional music. With Viva, Dindo scored a number of hits such as the 1980 recordings ‘Sina Ndungu’ and ‘Keni Ya Bolingo’ . Dindo left Viva in 1981 alongside Esperant and Djanana to co-form the new orchestra, 7 Patrons de Langa Langa Stars. In 1985 following the dissolution of 7 Patrons , Dindo joined Zaïko Langa Langa, whom he quit in 1990, following the orchestra’ s fragmentation. Since 1990 Dindo has lead a successful solo career, as well as being a much in demand session singer (recording with Emeneya, Reddy Amisi etc). He also re-established his own orchestra - Etumba Ya N’gwaka - and on one of his last recordings shared vocals with his son, Lola Mwana. Sadly Dindo Yogo died of a heart attack in August 2000. | ||||||||||||
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Debaba - Joined Viva La Musica from folklore orchestra Kanako Shipeke Bango in 1980. Enjoyed success with a number of early Viva recordings, but particularly with the 45 ,‘Abidjan’. Part of the 1982 defection to create the new orchestra Victoria Eleison, but left Victoria in late 1983 to form another new orchestra called Historia Musica alongside Koffi Olomide and Koko Anana (later of Langa Langa Stars) and Kofi Olomide. Following the disintegration of Historia Musica in 1985, Debaba joined the orchestra Choc Stars where he remained until the early 1990s. He then established himself as a solo artist, but in 1995 announced he was retiring from the music business to begin a career as an evangelical priest. Debaba currently records CDs of religious music and undertakes concerts both in Congo and Europe. | ||||||||||||
| Maray-Maray - Joined Viva in 1980 from orchestra Ototale Zangana. Enjoyed success prior to 1982 split, then played an important part in post 1982 reconstruction of Viva through songs such as 1983's ‘Nana Effye’ and 1984's ‘Musselman’. Maray left Viva in 1984 to undertake European travel, subsequently settling in Switzerland. Upon his return to Kinshasa in 1986, Maray formed the orchestra Rumba Ray. After Wemba left for Europe in 1987, Rumba Ray absorbed number of former Viva personnel including Stino, Gloria, Ray Toshiana, Richacha etc. During the late 1980’s Rumba Ray became one of the most popular of the Kinshasa-based orchestras and, in 1989, undertook a tour of Japan. However, the orchestra imploded upon its return to Kinshasa. Maray currently lives between Switzerland, Paris and Kinshasa and, in addition to making the odd concert and recording appearance with his former Viva colleagues, is involved in studio management in Kinshasa. | |||||||||||||
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Djoli Emen Baki Mubiala - Younger brother of Emeneya Kester Mubiala (see above), Djoli joined Viva at his brother's insistence in 1981. He quit Viva in October 1982, defecting to form the orchestra Victoria Eleison. After leaving Victoria in 1985, he joined orchestra Choc Stars with whom he remained until the early 1990s. He rejoined Papa Wemba and Viva in 1990, releasing his first Viva-backed solo LP, Cadeau D'Amie, in 1991. Djoli remained with Viva La Musica post the 1992 (Nouvelle Génération) split, releasing his second solo LP, Terre Noire, in 1995, on which he is backed by musician/producer Rigo Star, and accompanied on vocals by former Choc Star, Lassa Carlito. In 1997 Djoli released his third solo LP, titled L’Amour De Ciel. In 1998 Djoli Mubiala quit Viva and retired from popular music entering upon a new phase of his career as a singer of religious music. | ||||||||||||
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Jadot Le Cambodien - Original member of Viva La Musica, joining in late 1976. Jadot defected in 1978 to Karawa Musica, with Esperant and Bipoli in 1978, but returned to Viva soon afterwards. Remained with Wemba and Viva (post 1982 Victoria Eleison split). He also helped lead Viva during the frequent absences of Wemba throughout 1983 - 1986. Remained a key member of Viva La Musica up until the band moved to Paris. Although offered the opportunity to travel to Paris for reintegration into Viva, Jadot declined, preferring to stay in Zaire. Now believed retired, the last known information on Jadot was the formation of his own orchestra called Ile le Cambodien in 1990. | ||||||||||||
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| Petit Prince - Nicknamed 'Bengali', Petit Prince joined Viva La Musica in late 1981 from the orchestra Chic Victoria. He remained with Viva until October 1982 when he left as part of the exodus to form the new orchestra Victoria Eleison. After enjoying a number of hits with Victoria, he left in 1985 to join the rival orchestra Choc Stars, with whom he enjoyed further success. He remained with Choc Stars until the band's disintegration in the early 1990s. Petit Prince is currently still involved in music and believed to be working in one of Kinshasa's many orchestras. | |||||||||||||
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| Petit Aziza (Zi Na Za) - One of Viva La Musica's original vocalists joining in late 1976, Aziza appeared on many of the band's earliest hits. He was also the first to leave Wemba, quitting in late 1977. Aziza then relocated to Europe where he enrolled in full-time University studies. After a pause of several years, Petit Aziza reappeared as a vocalist in the early 1990s, joining Zaiko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka, where he contributed to a number of the band's LPs and undertook African and European tours. After a brief period of illness, Petit Aziza died in late 1999. | |||||||||||||
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Backing musicians involved with Viva La Musica during this period included: Solo Guitar: Guitar Accompanyment: Guitar Bass: Drums: Percussion: Orchestra Conductor: |
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