Joseph Kiambukuta Londa, known as Josky Kiambukuta, (14 February 1949 – 7 March 2021) was a Congolese performing artist, singer, songwriter and composer. As a member of

TPOK Jazz OK Jazz, later renamed TPOK Jazz (short for ''Tout Puissant Orchestre Kinois de Jazz''), was a Congolese rumba band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo established in 1956 and fronted by Franco. The group disbanded in 1993, but reformed i ...

he played alongside

Franco Franco may refer to: Name * Franco (name) * Francisco Franco (1892–1975), Spanish general and dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975 * Franco Luambo (1938–1989), Congolese musician, the "Grand Maître" Prefix * Franco, a prefix used when ref ...

during their most popular period in the mid-1960s until the late 1980s.

Early life

Joseph Kiambukuta Londa was born in Gombe-Matadi on

Valentine's Day Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, throu ...

of 1949, to Bernard Bakiansuni and Albertine Londa.

Musical career

Early musical career

Kiambukuta joined Dr. Nico's group, African Fiesta Sukisa in 1969. During his stay in the band, he recorded one of his first hits, "Sadi Naboyi Masumu". Two years later, in 1971, he leaves to form his band Orchestre Continental with other young musicians including

Wuta Mayi Gaspard Wuta Mayi, commonly known as Wuta Mayi, is a Congolese rumba and soukous vocalist and composer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). From 1974 to 1982, he was a member of the band TPOK Jazz, led by Franco (François Luambo Ma ...

and

Bopol Mansiamina Bopol Mansiamina (26 July 1949 – 7 November 2021), also known as Bopol or Don Paolo, was a prolific and renowned Congolese musician (bass player, guitar player most commonly as a rhythm guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer). He recorde ...

. He recorded and composed another hit, “Nakobondela”, during his time with the band.

TPOK Jazz

Kiambukuta joined

in 1973. Kiambukuta is known for his range of voice, from very high notes to deep bass, as the need arises. He is credited with composing many songs for the band, including “Chandra”, “Fariya”, “KSK” and “Bimansha”. Josky eventually left the group, along with Ntesa Dalienst in 1985. The two began solo careers and frequently collaborated. During his early solo career, he released an album with Dalienst and Serge Kiambukuta, his cousin. He also participated in the first Koffi Olomide albums. Kiambukuta returned to TPOK Jazz in 1987. The following year he released his second album "Mata Kita Bloqué", which contains the eponymous hit.

Bana OK

After the death of Franco in 1989,

continued to play for four years. However, in 1994, conflicts forced the band to split up. Kiambukuta, together with

Simaro Lutumba Simaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomanueno (19 March 1938 – 30 March 2019), known as Simaro, was a Congolese music rhythm guitarist, songwriter, poet, composer, and bandleader. He was a member of the seminal Congo music band TPOK Jazz, which dominated ...

Ndombe Opetum Ndombe Opetum (March 3, 1944 – May 24, 2012), popularly known as Pepe Ndombe, was an Odemba recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was once a member of the seminal soukous band TPOK Jazz ...

and other band members went on to form a new band: Bana OK. Kiambukuta is reported to have migrated to France and was a resident of Paris.Josky Kiambukuta Lives In Paris, France
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Illness and death

Kiambukuta is reported to have retired from music circa 2009. He is also reported to have been in ill-health, for several years before his death. He died in a Kinshasa hospital on 7 March 2021 at the age of 72.

Solo discography

* Mehida (1983) * Mata Kita Bloqué (1988) * So.Pe.Ka (1988, with Mayaula Mayoni, Madilu System and Malage de Lugendo) * Chandra (1989) * Destin / La Sincérité (1989) * Dernier Avertissement (1999) * Oui Ça Va (2003) * Double Vie (2005) * Chiffre 3 (2005, with Madilu System)

References

External links

Lengthy Interview With Simaro Lutumba In 2002 About TPOK Jazz & Bana OK
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiambukuta, Josky 1949 births 2021 deaths 20th-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers Soukous musicians TPOK Jazz members Democratic Republic of the Congo musicians 21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers 21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo people