He was orginally recruited into Bimi Ombale's (RIP) Groupe Basquille and then did animation for Familia Dei, mostly in concerts before heading to QL in the Fall of 1995

(3:28-)

During this time bands specifically sought animators who either sounded like Djouna Mumbafu "nkolo ya ba animateur" or the energetic Roberto Ekokota. Familia got two animateurs who sounded like both

In thought Somono Dolce came from Radja Kula's station Japan...........where Japonaise played the lead. The video below shows the youthful Somono, doing an animation he later redone with Academia.

Radja Kula is a legend though.......he claims to have created over 5,000 dance steps copied by all major groups in Congo.....amazing.

In thought Somono Dolce came from Radja Kula's station Japan...........where Japonaise played the lead. The video below shows the youthful Somono, doing an animation he later redone with Academia.

Radja Kula is a legend though.......he claims to have created over 5,000 dance steps copied by all major groups in Congo.....amazing.

Indeed. Station Japan was a sort of breeding ground for the industry

A timeline for Sonomo - like most he started off in church then street groups, then Station Japana, then he served in the military (this is why he was older than his contemporaries), afterwards he was recruited by Bimi, performed for Familia Dei & Basquille, then went QL, and after the split he went to Academia. He also did session work for other artists during the ndombolo period.

Is there any relationship between Station Japan and rhumba Japan that is now based in Nairobi. I know Radja's son Evala Mbuta used to play with rhumba Japan and later formed Station Japan Fiesta. Radja Kula was based in Nairobi at some point but later encountered difficulties with work permits for him and members of his group and left for Kinshasa. I have never been able though to piece together the relationship between station Japan ans rhumba Japan.