Zaïko Langa-Langa
Zaïko Langa Langa is a popular musical group, originally from Congo-Kinshasa, formed in 1969.
Zaïko Langa-Langa is more than a group, it is a legend of Congolese culture. Led by charismatic leader Jossart N’yoka Longo, the group has imposed Congolese rumba all over the world and carried the flame of African music high.
During this half-century of intense musical activity, Zaïko Langa-Langa has forged his own style, recognizable among all. Since its creation in 1969, The “Zaïko Style” – a mixture of hyper-rhythmic rumba and funk – immediately ignited the dance halls of Kinshasa and a few years later, the dance floors of European and American capitals.
Since its first concert in 1970, the group has welcomed a series of extraordinary musicians including Jossart Nyoka Longo, current lead singer and leader, but also Jules Shungu Wambadio Pene Kilumba, known as Papa Wemba, guitarist Pépé Felly Manuaku, singer Evoloko Joker Lay Gola and many more.
Zaïko Langa-Langa is 30 albums on the clock and 325 songs. Since his first concert in 1970, the “Zaïko formula” has not changed with at least twenty artists on stage. No less than 44 singers followed one another, 37 guitarists, 10 drummers, 39 dancers, 8 keyboardists, etc. Z.L.L is also behind more than 35 dance steps and one of the largest Congolese music schools today.
Zaïko Langa-Langa has performed in over 40 countries around the world. We remember that the group was on stage in 1974, during the big concert given on the occasion of the legendary match Mohamed Ali-George Foreman alongside James Brown and Tina Tuner. In 2019 they were back in the USA for a tour of around 30 dates and more recently, on February 29, at the Bozar in Brussels. For sure, Zaïko Langa-Langa will be back on stage in Europe in 2021.
