General Defao reveals here that he came with the Bana Congo-concept because of the Wenge-split and that Pepe Kalle also had to sing, having even a cassette of the song he had to sing at home, but he died before on Tuesday while they had to record the song on Wednesday. JB Mpiana had also to sing on that album, but he didn't sing (I guess that he refused after hearing that Werrason already sung).

Also saying that he starts touring in Kongo Central before performing in Kinshasa and why they started the tour there (governor Atou Matoubuana is suspend for the Mimi-affaire, so I don't if he will finish the tour. He has to perform in Matadi today). It reminds me of the way Papa Wemba started performing in Matadi back in 1984 after spending 8 months in Europe before giving his first concert in Kinshasa.

They recorded the interview at Village Chez Ntemba where they were rehearsing for the conerts.

Bana Congo vol. 1 and 2 are among my favorite albums. Really loved the concept and great compositions. I wish more leaders could’ve done a compilation albums with other great singers

I believe a second song from Eugene Makuta (great singer) “Mambu na Tembe added in place ofwhat would’ve be Pepe Kalle’s featuring.

I’m bummed to know that JB could’ve been on the album instead of Werra’s terrible interpretation of Kamavuama

I am not surprised at all to learn about Pepe Kalle's appearance. Hearing Dilu Dilumona singing with Likinga Redo, it looked like he intended to have Pepe Kalle in that song also but Pepe Kalle passed away before he could get started. Pepe Kalle would have had a big year in 1999.

and that Pepe Kalle also had to sing, having even a cassette of the song he had to sing at home, but he died before on Tuesday while they had to record the song on Wednesday.

Pepe Kalle died on a Sunday.

I remember Pepe Kalle was a star back then even though I was five what was his ststus when he was alive (in terms of fame) and what he would be now if he could still be alive

I remember Pepe Kalle was a star back then even though I was five what was his ststus when he was alive (in terms of fame) and what he would be now if he could still be alive

He was already seen as a legend. Most people were putting him as third after Franco Luambo Makiadi and Tabu Ley. The weird thing is that he's in reality the same generation of Zaiko-musicians (Wemba, Nyoka Longo, etc.). Almost all Congolese musicians had massive respect for him. Pepe Kalle was not only very popular in Africa, but also in the French West Indies. The songs/LP's Ce Chale Carnavl, Pon Moun Paka Bouge, Zouke Zouke, Moyibi & Gerant were massive hits there and he went also on tour on those islands (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy & French Guyana) he also went to Japan. If he was still alive I think that he would have past Tabu Ley who was not really active anymore in music since 1997 (his exil in France and USA really blocked his career and fame) and maybe even Franco.