Entertainment

Legendary Musician Confirmed Dead

Congolese Rhumba artist Lulendo Matumona, better known under the name of General Defao is dead.

He was scheduled to give a private concert before he died. Officials said several hours before the show, he was seized with uneasiness in his room, his family and friends said. He was almost in a coma for long hours until he was finally discovered late at night in a disturbing state.

He was immediately evacuated to Laquintinie hospital in Douala where he died on Monday evening.

His family said his health was in decline although the exact cause of his death is not yet known.

Officials said as soon as the announcement of his death, several Congolese artists including Fally Ipupa, Barbara Kanam, Ferre Gola expressed their sadness at the desolate of the great singer.

After more than 15 years of exile in Kenya, Defao made his big return to his country the DRC on August 4, 2019.

One of his first gestures was to go to the Necropolis between Heaven and Earth to bow to the Graves of Papa Wemba, Tabu Ley, King Kester Emeneya, Madilu System, Pépé Kalle.

During his first return concert, he then gave it in the port city of Matadi (Kongo Central province) a few weeks later.

He made his last trip to West Africa a few weeks ago.

It was in Ouaga, Burkina, on the occasion of the ceremony of Kundé 2021.

And on November 26, at the Palais des Sports in Ouaga 2000, the angelic voice of General Defao rose for the last time, revisiting his greatest successes including “School love”, “Kikuta family”.

Dressed in a jacket with a large golden chain that sparkled around her neck, the artist demonstrated that he still retained the agility of his heyday.

That evening, the Kundé awarded him an honorary trophy for his entire career that began in the 1970s, first in small neighbourhood groups.

Defao was born on December 31, 1959.

He entered the musical world in 1976 when he was only 17-years-old.

He quickly became famed for his beautiful voice, elegant look and for being a very good dancer despite his large frame.

Then he joined the group Zaïko Langa Langa in 1981.

Sometime later, he will make the heyday of the group Chok Stars between 1983 and 1991 before creating his own group Big Star.

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