Amos Ngaira
11 March 2006
Nairobi — Although he's rarely in the limelight these days, musician Madilu Bialu System still remains a force to reckon with on the Congolese music scene.
Ever since he parted with his former colleagues of the legendary TP OK Jazz, there has been no turning back, although the self-styes "Grand Nija" has been stalked by controversy.
Shortly after Franco's death, he was regarded as a rebel by his former colleagues in the TP OK Jazz for supporting the maestro's family, while Franco's long-time musical associate and assistant, Lutumba Simaro Masiya, led most of the former members in breaking away to form Bana OK.
Indeed, right from the time he joined TP OK in 1984, Madilu was received with mixed feelings, as Franco appeared to give him more attention than other vocalists, particularly after Madilu's debut, highly successful hit, Pesa Position, with the group.
It was not surprising, therefore, that in subsequent recordings like Mamou and Non, Franco interchanged roles on the lead vocals with Madilu.
During Madilu's stint with TP OK Jazz, he teamed with other leading vocalists like he late Ntesa Dalienst, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum and Aime Kiwakana.
However, when he shifted his musical base to Paris in the early 1990s, he adoped a new beat, blending Rhumba with the up-tempo Soukous.
Some of those who backed him during recordings include ace solo guitarist Dally Kimoko, bassist Ngouma Lokito and rapper Niawou Ritacon.
Among some of his most popular solo albums are Sans Commentaire, L'eau, Pouvoir, Bonheur and his latest, Le Tenant du Titre.
Madilu, who currently spends most of his time in Switzerland, occasionally does live shows backed by his group, Tout Puissant System.
Arrangements are underway to have Madilu and his band tour Kenya next month for shows during Easter.
The baritone singer rated among the best Congolese singers, caused a stir in Kenya almost nine years ago when he married a Swiss woman more than 15 years his senior in a private ceremony in Mombasa.
The marriage created a debate back home in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with detractors accusing him of abandoning his Congolese wife in search of fortune through a second marriage.
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