Orchestre Yoka Lokole

The Yoka Lokole were a soukous musical group from Kinshasa (today's Democratic Republic of the Congo) founded by Papa Wemba 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 Orchestre Stukas 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 Viva La Musica. 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 Orchestre Kiam), 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 Zaiko Langa Langa 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.