Congo Vibes

Music => Congolese Music => Topic started by: Mfumu Vata on November 17, 2025, 22:57

Title: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Mfumu Vata on November 17, 2025, 22:57
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4150187015294291&set=a.1946526035660411

It's strange because not even 2 weeks ago he celebrated his birthday and I remember him posting 2 ago, him being visted by Charly Solo in Kimpese.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Matebu on November 17, 2025, 23:04
Congovibes Bana london will be able to confirm legitimacy shortly
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Mfumu Vata on November 17, 2025, 23:06
For those who don't know Renato Mondele. Rento used to be Defao's solist. His most known work is the generique from the Sala Noki. He played in albums like Amour Interdit, Sala Noki, Copinage, Bana Congo and Guerre de 100 Ans. After leaving Big Stars in 2000, he settled in the U.K. and often backed Kanda Bongo Man in his concerts. He also released some singles and solo-albums

Here some of his work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qe9UyKzDf0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkn8Umhe3_s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D874_rI9SWg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_xHVVxELT8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAfO1ROM4l4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5TRUYtocWE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSbn3Na9WTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AzS3YYviS8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYo5MRs5gyc

I was trying to find the video he made with Postmart Studio, talking about his career, his work and time in Big Stars. But I can't find it anymore.


Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 18, 2025, 02:18
Me and Renato were close friends. I talked with him for the last time on his birthday. After that he did not answer my calls, I only realized later he is in the hospital. I have no idea what happened to him. Mboka Liya today confirmed he is gone.

I still have the unreleased album that we were recording with him and Mboka Liya, but it was put on hold due to lack of funds. If I will have enough money in the future, I will finish it and release it. For most tracks it is only the animation that is missing. I regret we couldn't finish it together.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Matebu on November 18, 2025, 02:20
Me and Renato were close friends. I talked with him for the last time on his birthday. After that he did not answer my calls, I only realized later he is in the hospital. I have no idea what happened to him. Mboka Liya today confirmed he is gone.

I still have the unreleased album that we were recording with him and Mboka Liya, but it was put on hold due to lack of funds. If I will have enough money in the future, I will finish it and release it. For most tracks only the animation that is missing. I regret we couldn't finish it together.

My goodness RIP. He was a man of class and polyvalent talent

@Bencuri - do you know the cause, if it has been reveal yet?
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 18, 2025, 02:27
I don't know. I will try to ask the guy who took him to the hospital. He had no illness, he was an energetic man all the time working a lot besides making music. It must have been something sudden and unexpected.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 18, 2025, 02:34
This is a nice song that he created in the recent years to his friend. Mboka Liya is on solo. Renato was a very talented guy. He was a very creative song writer. Sadly he couldn't earn a living on this in London. If we had more time to devote to our projects he could have created some superb albums. He also had a clan of musicians around him and they were invited to events frequently. If it is possible I will try to keep the musicians together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sde62LOEms
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Longbluesquid on November 18, 2025, 03:17
Man this is really sad news. I really enjoyed the Nkomo Kibota album. This is a great taken from us. What was his age?
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 18, 2025, 03:44
He had just turned 54 in the beginning of november.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 18, 2025, 07:56
Let me share a story with you that is a kind memory for me: we decided to record an album together with Renato. He composed the songs, and we hired Mboka Liya to add the guitars. Renato used to wake up at 6 in the morning on weekdays, and he rushed to catch the bus that took him from the outskirts to the city centre to his workplace. He finished at 4 in the afternoon. We met at Mboka Liya's place at 6 in the evening. We started recording. After working the whole day, Renato was there, composing, directing Mboka Liya, and Mboka was playing, coming up with new and new ideas. This is how they worked until the morning. That was when I understood how big talent Mboka Liya is. From 6 pm to 6 am except for some short brakes he was playing and playing the solos that he created in his head even after Renato fell asleep at around 4am, and it was only me and him composing. Then at 6 we left Mboka Liya's place and continued our tasks for the day. This shows how hard working Renato was.

By the way: he was behind more songs than the ones credited to him. He told me from the time he joined big stars he contributed to composing many songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMHKx7k5W60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hl38i9yBPk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9qGQsmKhjU
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: archos on November 18, 2025, 17:47
ohh renato thats sad i really liked him for the way he played some classics with ya defao very talented and a funny guy aswell
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Werrasonique de Zimbabwe on November 18, 2025, 19:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sde62LOEms

The person you see standing behind Renato is me.


I still can’t find the words… Renato was a truly good man. Eight years ago he played at my 40th birthday and gave me, my family, and all our guests a night we’ll never forget. He always welcomed me up on stage to sing a few lines whenever I felt like it, no ego, no drama just pure kindness and generosity. In a world full of musicians who overcharge or cheat, Renato was the complete opposite: honest, respectful, and always fair.

We stayed in regular contact over the years, and every time he dedicated me in a song it felt like he was talking about family. I’m the guy you see in that photo in the video above standing right behind him wearing dark shades, his friend, his fan, his brother.

Yesterday brought the worst news I’ve ever received. I’m still trying to process that my brother Renato is no longer here. The pain is immense and indescribable.

Rest in peace, king. Thank you for every note, every smile, and every moment. You will live in our hearts forever. ❤️
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: archos on November 18, 2025, 19:36
deepest condolences brothers who got to know him,he really had an infectious joy about him,without even knowing him personally you could feel it
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 19, 2025, 01:36
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sde62LOEms

The person you see standing behind Renato is me.


I still can’t find the words… Renato was a truly good man. Eight years ago he played at my 40th birthday and gave me, my family, and all our guests a night we’ll never forget. He always welcomed me up on stage to sing a few lines whenever I felt like it, no ego, no drama just pure kindness and generosity. In a world full of musicians who overcharge or cheat, Renato was the complete opposite: honest, respectful, and always fair.

We stayed in regular contact over the years, and every time he dedicated me in a song it felt like he was talking about family. I’m the guy you see in that photo in the video above standing right behind him wearing dark shades, his friend, his fan, his brother.

Yesterday brought the worst news I’ve ever received. I’m still trying to process that my brother Renato is no longer here. The pain is immense and indescribable.

Rest in peace, king. Thank you for every note, every smile, and every moment. You will live in our hearts forever. ❤️

So far I have thought that guy on  photo is Stanley Kakubo. Finally learnt it is you :)
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Mfumu Vata on November 19, 2025, 03:32
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zLqi1bLPnpE&pp=ygUOUmVuYXRvIG1vbmRlbGU%

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FinGizxUXGY


Rest in Peace
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 19, 2025, 03:43
Thanks!
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Werrasonique de Zimbabwe on November 19, 2025, 08:18

So far I have thought that guy on  photo is Stanley Kakubo. Finally learnt it is you :)

Thats me......I spoke to Mbokaliya so whatever plans made, I want to be there so you will see me.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 19, 2025, 10:37
We can definately organize that meeting, but very likely it can happen only in spring. I am on a 5 month strong medication with my injured knee, being quite dizzy most of the time. However I won't forget about it and when the time of my travel comes I will let you know about it in advance through Mboka Liya. Until them I am at home abroad.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Congomusiclover0011 on November 21, 2025, 08:28
Rest in Peace....he had memorable licks in a lot of songs. Also, crazy how things turn for anyone just like that.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: Longbluesquid on November 22, 2025, 03:47
Does anyone have any of his albums after Nkosi Kibota? Nothing is on streaming.
Title: Re: Is it true that former Big Stars solist Renato Mondele passed away ?
Post by: bencuri on November 22, 2025, 05:02
He had 3 major releases after that, one is La Rumba Congolaise. It is an acoustic focused album. I do have that. The next was a single: Kindingindanga. It is on Youtube. It is an extra long track, with a speech at the beginning. This is the full version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGzDG0VxWJo&pp=ygUOa2luZGluZ2luZGFuZ2E%3D

The next album was Sala Makasi Na Yo. As I remember it was only released on Streaming. I do have that one as well.

He released various songs sfterwards, that were released on his Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@renatomondele9996/videos

There are plenty of guitar lessons included there, you have to browse a bit to find the songs between them.

He released a bunch of those songs that you find there on an EP album:
https://music.apple.com/sn/album/summer-time-ep/1270015613

But as I remember all of those songs are there on his Youtube channel that I linked.

There would have been a major CD album release as well, those are the songs that we were composing together, that I mentioned. Unfortunately due to lack of funds it was put on hold. But in the future I will finish those, if I have the money. Only the animation is missing from the songs, the rest is already there.