Defao

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Defao (31 December 1958 – 27 December 2021) was a Congolese singer-songwriter. He was a member of the prominent soukous groups Grand Zaiko Wawa and Choc Stars.

He formed his own group, Big Stars, in 1991, which accompanied him in all his performances. He has composed several hits, most since the late 1980s, including "Amour Scolaire", "Famille Kikuta", and "Solange Lima." He died from complications of COVID-19 in Douala, Cameroon, on 27 December 2021, four before his 63rd birthday.^[1][2]

Early life and musical beginnings

Defao was born as Lulendo Matumona ^[1] on 31 December 1958, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo,^[3].

Matumona moved to

Defao left Grand Zaiko Wawa in 1983 to join Choc Stars. Members included Ben Nyamabo, Bozi Boziana, and Roxy Tshimpaka.^[6] Matumona worked on all the group's albums in the 80s, composing hits like "Ozi", "Déserteur", "Mister X" and "Chagrin Dimone".^[7]

Big Stars

In 1991, he decided to leave Choc Stars to create his own band, Big Stars, alongside Djo Poster Mumbata (also a former member of Grand Zaiko Wawa).^[8] Big Stars has revealed several talented singers including Montana Kamenga, Kabosé Bulembi, Théo Mbala, but also musicians such as Serge Kasongo Mboka Liya (AKA Burkina Faso)^[9] and Jagger Bokoko.

During Big Stars' early years, Defao enjoyed a very creative and productive period. In the 1990s he released at least seventeen albums, six of which were available in the European market. He is recognized as a solo artist in the same league as Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomidé, Bozi Boziana and Kester Emeneya.

His seventh solo album, "Amour Scolaire", published in 1992, contains the eponymous hit which placed at the top of the Zairian hit parades.^[10] Likewise for "Famille Kikuta", released in 1994, which became popular in East Africa.

Following the "ndombolo" wave, between the years 1997 and 1998, Matumona released the albums "Sala Noki" and "Copinage" (the latter in collaboration with Mbilia Bel).^[11]

Big Stars Hiatus

In 2000, Defao disbanded Big Stars after a disagreement with its musicians.^[12] The band reformed in the late 2010s.^[13]

Solo career, later years and death

Defao signed a record contract in 2000 with JPS Productions and proceeded to record his solo album "Nessy De London" with session musicians based in Paris including Nyboma, Wuta Mayi, Dally Kimoko, 3615 Code Niawu and Djudjuchet Luvengoka.^[14]Defao was inactive until 2006 when he released the album "Nzombo Le Soir", which was not promoted as widely as his previous albums.^[15]

After another four years, he released the album "Pur Encore" in 2010, which was not available on CD and had poor sound quality.^[15] However, Defao returned in 2012 with "The Undertaker", followed in 2016 by Any Time, in which he brought together notable musicians from both Congos, including Roga-Roga, Sam Tshintu, Manda Chante and his close friend and longtime collaborator, Godessy Lofombo.

Defao was based in Kenya starting from 2001. In August 2019, he returned to Kinshasa^[16] and regrouped Big Stars with some of his former musicians including Montana Kamenga and Azanga. With them, he recorded his last album "Bety Poni".

While touring West Africa, Defao died on 27 December 2021 from COVID-19.^[1]

A few days later, the Congolese Minister of Culture and Arts agreed with his family to bring his body to Kinshasa for the funeral service.^[17] His last album "Bety Poni" was released on the day of his death.

Personal life

Defao has been in several relationships, but never married. At the time of his death, he left no widows or children.^[18]

Selected discography

Defao's complete discography is unknown, as many of his albums were not sold internationally. Here is a selection of his most notable albums.

• Defao de Choc Stars (often referred as Chagrin Dimone, 1988)
• Defao et son groupe (often referred as Hitachi, 1989)
• La Saga de Defao (collaboration with Pepe Kalle, Carlyto Lassa, Luciana Demingongo and Koffi Olomide, 1989)
• Solange Muana Nsuka (1992)
• Amour Scolaire (1992)
• Donat (1994)
• Famille Kikuta (1994)
• Dernier Album 95 (1995)
• Sala Noki (1997)
• Copinage (collaboration with Mbilia Bel, 1998)
• Tremblement De Terre (1999)
• Nessy De London (2000)

References