Orchestre Yoka Lokole

The Yoka Lokole were a soukous musical group from Kinshasa (today's Democratic Republic of the Congo) founded by [a132739] and others in 1975, belonging to the family of musical groups known as Clan Langa-Langa. The name "Yoka Lokole", in lingala, means "listen to lokole"; lokole is a traditional drum from the Congo River region. The singers of Yoka Lokole were referred to as Fania All-Stars of Zaire. The Yoka Lokole group was born from a split of the Orchestre Isifi. In November 1975, Papa Wemba, Mavuela Somo and Bozi Boziana left Isifi due to disagreements with Evoloko Jocker. Two other members of the group followed: Shora Mukoko and percussionist Otis-Koyongonda. In March 1976, the vocal section of Yoka Lokole (the "Fania All-Stars") was enriched with a new element, Mbuta Mashakado. Shortly afterwards the singer and showman Luambo Issa (from the [a2196182] of Lita Bembo) joined the Yoka Lokole. In December 1976 Papa Wemba entered into conflict with the duo Mavuela-Mashakado. There followed a dispute over the use of the name "Yoka Lokole" between Wemba (who had promptly enlisted a new formation of musicians) and Mavuela. In February 1977, Papa Wemba ended the dispute by changing the name of his new group to [a1642954]. In early 1977, Yoka Lokole lost two members, the Syriana guitarist and drummer Otis Koyongonda, who joined Viva La Musica. In their place came the singer Kanza Bayone (from the [a1479592]), the rhythmic guitarist Sec Bidens and the Gabonese guitarist [a5742827] called "La Gabonnia". The group went into decline and the first to leave was Bozi Boziana along with Gina Efonge who then went to the [a401394] in June. Mashakado in August decided to join Boziana entering the new Zaiko Langa Langa formation. In December 1978 Mavuela left the group to pursue a solo career in Gabon. Guitarist Sec Bidens became the new director of the group, but gradually disappeared from the scene.