Congolese Rhumba Artist General Defao Dies 3 Days to Birthday

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Celebrated Congolese singer and songwriter Lulendo Matumona who is popularly known as General Defao is dead.

Defao, 62, died on Monday, 27th December at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, where he was receiving treatment.

His death comes three days to his 63rd birthday. Defao was born in Kinshasa on 31st December 1958. He started singing in 1976 in a small music group in Kinshasa.

He was inspired by Congolese musicians such as Papa Wemba, Nyoka Longo, Gina Efonge Evoloko, and 4 singers of the Zaiko group in the 70s.

He broke away from the group and formed his own band, The Big Star in 1991.

Defao has over 20 songs to his name, famous among them; Moski, Zouk, Familie Kikuta, Madova, Mokolo Mosusu, Bana Congo 2, Nadine, Bolingo among others.

Defao fled Kinshasa to Nairobi in 2002, the year President Joseph Kabila came to power. He used to stay in Nairobi’s Lavington estate with his Kenyan wife.

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

Following his demise, musicians Ferre Gola and Fally Ipupa were among the first people to convey their condolences. They described his passing as a loss for Africa.

“Africa’s great baobab just left us. I am devastated by this sad news hitting us. Deep regret for this huge loss for Africa, DRC and Congo-Central he was the only one left! Rest in peace old General Defao Matumona,” Ferre Golla wrote on his Instagram account.

General Defao will be fondly remembered for his melodious voice and kiwanzenza dancing style that lit up audiences.

The post Congolese Rhumba Artist General Defao Dies 3 Days to Birthday appeared first on LitKenya.

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