Congo Vibes

Music => Congolese Music => Topic started by: Mfumu Vata on September 24, 2025, 09:22

Title: I only realize it now that it was Nico Kassanda's 40th anniversary
Post by: Mfumu Vata on September 24, 2025, 09:22

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IPdli0Ov5d8

It was only after watching TBO's video that I realized it was the 40th anniversary of Nico Kassanda's passing. He passed away on 22 September 1985. Nico Kassanda, also known as Dr. Nico, was a legendary Congolese guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was a key figure in the development of modern Congolese music and influenced generations of musicians. He used to play for Grand Kalle's African Jazz and founded African Fiesta with Tabu Ley Rocherau and Roger Izeidi. Nico Kassanda is known for his  hitssongs Table Ronde, Cimetiere, Bouge ya Motema,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReDXC0yK31M&list=RDReDXC0yK31M&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dOz_3UteM&list=RDz3dOz_3UteM&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoKtsWVv5Qs&list=RDNoKtsWVv5Qs&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRy4Kf3gGvI&list=RDhRy4Kf3gGvI&start_radio=1

If Shakakongo was still alive, he would have organised an event to celebrate his 40th anniversary.

Title: Re: I only realize it now that it was Nico Kassanda's 40th anniversary
Post by: Shaddy Raddy on September 24, 2025, 20:16

Ah, Dr. Nico Kasanda! The GOAT guitarist. The father of single note playing


Dr. Nico transformed Congolese Rumba with the creation of the mi-solo arrangement in African Fiesta Sukisa. His brother Dechaud is master of the mi-compose rhythm guitar style. The same mi-compose style that would be adopted by Lele Nsundi of Orchestre Kiam, Lokassa Ya M'Bongo, Bopol Mansiamina, etc.

https://youtu.be/oSL-cm2lROU

Nico introduced Hawaiian steel guitar to Congolese music, using it to good effect on "N'daya Paradis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz3XUu8JlnY&list=RDbz3XUu8JlnY&start_radio=1&pp=ygUVZHIgbmljbyBuZGF5YSBwYXJhZGlzoAcB

Nico was the first to create instrumental Merengues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWeMYsCUWbY&list=RDZWeMYsCUWbY&start_radio=1&pp=ygUXbmljbyBtZXJlbmd1ZSBwcmVzaWRlbnSgBwE%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZF_-XGtTm0&list=RD_ZF_-XGtTm0&start_radio=1&pp=ygUXbmljbyBleGhpYml0aW9uIGRlY2hhdWSgBwE%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_26Z5ilzg8&list=RDU_26Z5ilzg8&start_radio=1&pp=ygULbmljbyB5b2tvbG-gBwE%3D

Nico was also versatile in blending in various genres such as Highlife and Rock and Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZoEoT-3CSE&list=RDoZoEoT-3CSE&start_radio=1&pp=ygUNbmljbyBmcmVldG93bqAHAQ%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEhueAHMZk0&list=RDUEhueAHMZk0&start_radio=1&pp=ygUPZHIgbmljbyBzYXZlIG1loAcB