Honoré Monzuluku Mombele (1 January 1960 – 10 January 2024) known professionally as Nono Monzuluku, was a Congolese composer and musician. He made significant contributions to Congolese music, particularly through his role as an atalaku in the influential band

Zaïko Langa Langa Zaïko Langa Langa, also known as Zaïko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka, is a Congolese Congolese rumba, rumba band formed in Kinshasa, in December 1969. Established by D. V. Moanda, D.V. Moanda, Henri Mongombe, Marcellin Delo and André Bita, the band ...

Early life and career

Early life and musical beginnings

Mombele was born on January 1, 1960, in Léopoldville (now

Kinshasa Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...

), in what was then the

Belgian Congo The Belgian Congo (, ; ) was a Belgian colonial empire, Belgian colony in Central Africa from 1908 until independence in 1960 and became the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville). The former colony adopted its present name, the Democratic Repu ...

(and was later the

Republic of the Congo The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo), is a country located on the western coast of Central ...

, then

Zaire Zaire, officially the Republic of Zaire, was the name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1971 to 18 May 1997. Located in Central Africa, it was, by area, the third-largest country in Africa after Sudan and Algeria, and the 11th-la ...

, and is now the

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

). His musical journey began as a member of the folk group Bana Odéon, which included members such as Ditutala Mbuesa, Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku (congas). However, he gained widespread recognition after joining

, one of the most influential bands in African music history, in August 1982, alongside his colleagues Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku. Alongside his colleagues Bébé Atalaku and Djerba Mandjeku, Mombele played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Zaïko.

Innovation

Nono Monzuluku Mombele made history as the first atalaku in modern Congolese music, pioneering the role alongside

Bébé Atalaku Faustin Mangituka Ntaminimo (born 7 July 1962), known professionally as Bébé Atalaku, is a Congolese songwriter and musician whose work with Nono Monzuluku has significantly shaped Congolese music, mainly through his role as an atalaku in Za� ...

. Atalakus sing during the '' sebene'' section of a

Congolese rumba Congolese rumba, also known as African rumba, is a dance music genre originating from the Republic of the Congo (formerly French Congo) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). With its rhythms, melodies, and lyrics, Congolese ru ...

song, providing energetic chants often imbued with significations or morals, while playing percussions such as

shakers The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, are a Millenarianism, millenarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian sect founded in England and then organized in the Unit ...

(before 1982, small animations were performed by the vocalists of a band). Mombele and his contemporaries introduced innovative chants and percussive elements during this section, adding depth and energy to Zaïko Langa Langa's performances.

Later career

Mombele's tenure with Zaïko Langa Langa spanned over three decades, during which he participated in numerous albums and toured all around the world. Notable albums featuring Mombele include ''Zekete Zekete 2e Episode'', ''

Nippon Banzai Nippon Banzai is a 1986 studio album by Congolese band Zaïko Langa Langa, released on their ProZal label. The album followed band's pioneering tour of Japan in October 1986, positioning them as the second Congolese musical collective to perform in ...

'', ''Jetez l'éponge'', and ''Avis de Recherche''. He left the band in 2008 and then settled in Paris. Nono Monzuluku embarked on a solo venture in October 2021 with the release of his first and only single, "Mosisa", a 25-minute medley containing a big part of his animations. It is the longest "générique" recorded by a Congolese artist.

Death

Nono Monzuluku died on January 10, 2024, in

Le Blanc-Mesnil () is a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris, between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Le Bourget Airport. Name The name Le Blanc-Mesnil was recorded for the first time in the 11th centu ...

, France, due to previous health complications that caused

hypertension Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a Chronic condition, long-term Disease, medical condition in which the blood pressure in the artery, arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms i ...

. Three months later, his body was

repatriated Repatriation is the return of a thing or person to its or their country of origin, respectively. The term may refer to non-human entities, such as converting a foreign currency into the currency of one's own country, as well as the return of mi ...

and buried in Kinshasa.

Legacy

His contributions helped boost the popularity of the atalakus within Congolese bands (leading to the apparition of other atalakus such as Djuna Mumbafu, Roberto Ekokota, Bill Clinton Kalonji...) and also throughout Africa. A notable example is

DJ Arafat Ange Didier Houon (26 January 1986 – 12 August 2019), known professionally as DJ Arafat and various other stage names, was an Ivorian disc jockey and singer who made music in the Coupé-Décalé genre. The word "coupé-décalé" came from a ...

in Ivory Coast, who gained wide recognition as an atalaku.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monzuluku, Nono 1960 births 2024 deaths 21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers 20th-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers Democratic Republic of the Congo songwriters Soukous musicians Musicians from Kinshasa