Nyoka Longo: “I ask our elders Bombenga and Lutumba to get together”

 
RELEASES (PR): How do you stay very long in Europe?

NYOKA LONGO (NL): I wanted to achieve certain objectives, such as have equipment music. Half-done but with firm promises. But ultimately, my family missed me a lot not to mention that we, the creators of works of mind, are better at home and inspired. I take this opportunity to thank the press and civil society for their support especially during the harsh test of my imprisonment. I also thank the President of the Republic and all the authorities I can not mention names here, which in one way or another helped me at one time or another.

PR: Some rumors have suggested that you have a huge debt owed to people who promised you a visa to Europe and that it does not particularly encourage you to return?

NL: It would make me go to the Madoff of “ngulus (a trafficker in human beings) in the country. It is said also that some musicians have raised a lot of money and need also to people and yet they have returned. If so, do you think I am the most miserable musicians, unable to repay? It is a false debate. It was also told that I had requested political asylum in Europe, I had contracted a marriage, I would have a child to get papers … All this is now false. In my criminal record, there were documents from Kinshasa with my signature and imitated some of my fellow artists and journalists have been either instigators or the perpetrators of these false.

PR: What can we expect from Zaiko Langa-Langa with your return?

NL: We’ll work through that before and we hope your criticism be even better.

PR: Many feel that our music has been locked in a ghetto, do you share that opinion after your long stay in Europe?

NL: The Congolese music is evolving in Europe but remains in the ghetto for lack of access in different media. We are used in Congo, to tackle the effects rather than causes. The crux of the problem is in the texts, dissemination and promotion. In time, the scholars and diplomats who, during festivals or “Boom” were to discover our music not Congolese. Currently these, lack of funds, can not promote our music. It should also be noted that most of the “DJ” in the African clubs in Europe are West Africa and what’s more normal that they prefer their music to the detriment of the Congolese music. Among the solutions, I propose the organization of the general state of culture but also the audit of the Cultural Promotion Fund.

PR: Personally how do you get out of our music ghetto, knowing that your latest albums went unnoticed in the country while Zaiko LL is a reference to the Caribbean where it could compete with the group Kassav?

NL: I can not get our music from the ghetto on the artistic. The problem arises mainly in communication and dissemination of our work. This task falls to the press and authorities. At our level, we need to lobby. I would not be embarrassed during my concerts abroad, to interpret a song by Felix Wazekwa. Once, liking and I interpreted the song “Shama Shama” in Ghana and I did the voice of Mopero. Time is more to the controversy and of rivalries, I appeal to my seniors and Jeannot Bombenga Lutumba Simaro to gather. For the promotion of our music, we must congratulate our young people who shoot a lot of work. The music played in Africa today is theirs. What about the audio-visual Congolese? Contrary to our media, in Europe and America were retained for consideration for former success, the former glories. Who distributes the songs still Vox Africa? of Cobantou? of OK Jazz? Yet these are models by which we arrived in the music. It is unfortunate that our guitarists focus their learning on what is called Sebene instead of inspiration as the music of their elders. That’s how we can find five albums of different bands Congolese giving the impression of a single group.

  PR: Is there fog in your relationships with your colleagues in the Clan Langa Langa and Koffi Olomide?

NL: I have no problem with friends and I have great respect for them. I talked on the phone Bimi Ombale but it was not available for this press conference. Papa Wemba is occupied otherwise it would be here with us for such Koffi Olomide that I had the phone before I return to Kinshasa.

PR: The press conference began with a prayer by Father Joseph Lukelu and yet you are ready for a commitment fetish illustrated by the cry “Zaiko Eyi Nkisi Eyi magic”

NL: The cry “Eyi Nkisi, Eyi magic” is not a reference to the fetishes. It was at a party; knowledge found that guests were not interested in dance and when a song by swinging Zaiko, the runway was full. Then he cried, “Zaiko Eyi Nkisi, Eyi magic.” This is where we shot this cry. As for Father Joseph is an old friend.

PR: A debate now divided music lovers on the text to songs and dances very … And today, Félix Wazekwa said it will exceed in the field of dance.

NL: The two styles complement each other but we must do things in the standards. To answer Wazekwa, “nga nazokola, Aleki soki ngai where is the problem,” translate “I am so Wazekwa age is beyond me, so much the better.”

PR: During your absence from the country, the government has promised a prize of two million U.S. dollars to the artists and this pool has divided. One group in favor of sharing the funds between artists, while others argued for building the infrastructure. What is your opinion on this?

NL: We must first know the arguments of one and other before deciding. But on the infrastructure, if I take the case of a studio, I am in favor of a state-private partnership because in this state has always shown its limits. This was the case with the studio IAD Brazzaville which did not work because the state was the sole manager.

PR: When your first appearance on stage in Kinshasa?

NL: The announcement will be made shortly by our organizing committee after the junction between the musicians Zaiko revenues from Europe and those recruited in Kinshasa.

PR: Exactly, what are the artists who have returned to Kinshasa with you?

NL: There are Gégé Manganyi, Shango (guitarists), Chou and Prince Bela Lay (singers). Doudou Adoul (host) and Adam (singer) will possibly join the group in March. I will not speak too much about it and we will take account of our first concert (NDLR. According to information from the Office of Zaiko LL at Brussels, Malage of singer and bassist Lugendo Montingiya are also ready to join the group Kinshasa).

PR: Do you have a word for Evoloko who is in prison?