I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you 

Actually, Montana did release a solo album after Defao broke up the Big Stars. It didn't do too well however and he joined QL sometime before Force de Frappe's release. 20 years ago, the Congolese musical landscape was a band-oriented environment. There was no room for successful solo careers. Aimelia and Suzuki left their respective bands, released albums that flopped, and they joined MM and Academia a few months later, respectively. If Kabose released a solo album around 1999/2000, he would've been in the same situation as these three guys and ended up joining Anti Choc (and eventually Maison Mere) anyway. Until Droit Chemin, the only way you could make a name for yourself was in a band, especially if you sang.

Actually, Montana did release a solo album after Defao broke up the Big Stars. It didn't do too well however and he joined QL sometime before Force de Frappe's release. 20 years ago, the Congolese musical landscape was a band-oriented environment. There was no room for successful solo careers. Aimelia and Suzuki left their respective bands, released albums that flopped, and they joined MM and Academia a few months later, respectively. If Kabose released a solo album around 1999/2000, he would've been in the same situation as these three guys and ended up joining Anti Choc (and eventually Maison Mere) anyway. Until Droit Chemin, the only way you could make a name for yourself was in a band, especially if you sang.

Thank you for the information.. I see you're right.. and I think I remember the Montana album.. but I'm surprised it flopped. He was hot at the time, just lie Suzuki was. I don't understand how they can flop. It has to be promotion wise that's killed them but even that if you're a star, promotion shouldn't be too hard as you already have a buzz. It's just down to how you present yourself as a solo artist and that's not easy.

It has nothing to do with promotion. Back from 1999 until 2003, your name had to be JB Mpiana, Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba or Werrason, if it wasn’t the case the public wouldn’t give you a chance. The only artist to  suceed in that era was Felix Wazekwa.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, coming from the Kasa-Vubu area, being first a member of Choc Stars junior-band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

Thank you.. And I forgot about that in Congo. You had to be one of the big names during that time and well done to Felix.

Defao's big stars ran from 1991 to 2000 right? How did Kabose join Big Stars. They had good singers but I just don't know of other names

There is a book titled: Rumba Rules. The author observes the music scene in Congo in the 90's, and the main band in focus is Defao's band. If you want to learn more about that band, buy that book.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

Thank you.. And I forgot about that in Congo. You had to be one of the big names during that time and well done to Felix.

Defao's big stars ran from 1991 to 2000 right? How did Kabose join Big Stars. They had good singers but I just don't know of other names

Kabose joined Big Stars in 1992, but he was to young and was then just reserve. You can see him in the public when they performed on tv for Tele Zaire and in some videoclips of 1994. In 1995 when Defao returned by himself (the whole band stayed in Europe), he became a keymember until 2000 when he left for Anti Choc. Here you got Kabose's biography

http://congovibes.com/congolese-music/biography-of-kabose-bulembi/

Big Stars had singers like Djodjo Bayinge, Rabbi Makuta, Jirbo Ntunta, Debleu Kinanga, Angela Rifano,etc.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

Thank you.. And I forgot about that in Congo. You had to be one of the big names during that time and well done to Felix.

Defao's big stars ran from 1991 to 2000 right? How did Kabose join Big Stars. They had good singers but I just don't know of other names

Kabose joined Big Stars in 1992, but he was to young and was then just reserve. You can see him in the public when they performed on tv for Tele Zaire and in some videoclips of 1994. In 1995 when Defao returned by himself (the whole band stayed in Europe), he became a keymember until 2000 when he left for Anti Choc. Here you got Kabose's biography

http://congovibes.com/congolese-music/biography-of-kabose-bulembi/

Big Stars had singers like Djodjo Bayinge, Rabbi Makuta, Jirbo Ntunta, Debleu Kinanga, Angela Rifano,etc.

Thank you and one last question, what influence did they have because around the time he started big stars.. we saw the emergence of 4x4.. and QL by 1994. We've focused on wenge and QL but it's fascinating to know how big stars were doing and whether Defao was interested in competing with them. Because Defao was a bigger star than then all and helped both koffi and Wenge.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

Thank you.. And I forgot about that in Congo. You had to be one of the big names during that time and well done to Felix.

Defao's big stars ran from 1991 to 2000 right? How did Kabose join Big Stars. They had good singers but I just don't know of other names

Kabose joined Big Stars in 1992, but he was to young and was then just reserve. You can see him in the public when they performed on tv for Tele Zaire and in some videoclips of 1994. In 1995 when Defao returned by himself (the whole band stayed in Europe), he became a keymember until 2000 when he left for Anti Choc. Here you got Kabose's biography

http://congovibes.com/congolese-music/biography-of-kabose-bulembi/

Big Stars had singers like Djodjo Bayinge, Rabbi Makuta, Jirbo Ntunta, Debleu Kinanga, Angela Rifano,etc.

Thank you and one last question, what influence did they have because around the time he started big stars.. we saw the emergence of 4x4.. and QL by 1994. We've focused on wenge and QL but it's fascinating to know how big stars were doing and whether Defao was interested in competing with them. Because Defao was a bigger star than then all and helped both koffi and Wenge.

They had huge succes in 1992 with albums of Solange Lima and Amour Scolaire, which made General Defao getting the award of best star of the year in 1992. But the influence of Big Stars wasn't on the level of Wenge 4x4, because they were the reference of all youngsters at that time while General Defao was someone of the 3th generation and King Kester Emeneya & Papa Wemba who were in Europe being more influent then him. The difference with Wenge and Quartier Latin, was that Big Stars were performing in areas where they would never come, areas like Selembao, Bumbu, Makala, Ngaba, Kisenso, Kingasani ya suka & Masina (El Paris would do the same thing when they were stuck in Kinshasa in 1993). Wenge 4x4 and Quartier Latin were mostly giving their concerts in Matonge, Yolo, Bandal, Ngiri Ngiri, Kasa Vubu, Lemba, Limete, Lingwala, Barumbu, Kintambo, Gombe and the Ngaliema-area and on rare occassions in Ndjili and Matete. After the 1993 the succes of Big Stars started to stagnate, then in 1994 they managed to get in Europe and stayed like a year. But on the end of the tour all musicians (Jagger Bokoko, Guy Wa Nzambi, Richa Cogna Cogna, Djodjo Bayinge, etc.) stayed in Europe, which made Defao return alone back to Kinshasa. When he came in Kinshasa, Montana (who didn't get a visa for the Europe-tour) recruited a new team, recruiting musicians like Theo Mbala, Renato Mondele, and co. It surprised Defao, jocking that it wasn't his band anymore, giving Montana the role of president of the band Big Stars. In the same period the album of Phily Mbala and Famille Kikuta were released which brought Defao back on the map and they were a huge succes, not long after that they went to the studio with the new team joined by Burkina Faso who left Wenge 4x4. They released Amour Interdit, which made Kabose, Montana & Theo Mbala known. The year after it they released Sala Noki, which made Defao known in Africa.

Defao productivity was insane in the 90's. He used te release 2 or 3 albums every year.

Defao productivity was insane in the 90's. He used te release 2 or 3 albums every year.

Sometimes going up to 4 or 5 albums every year. But some where only meant for Europe.

I've finished with my studies on Quartier Latin and Wenge clan.. I want to know more about Defao's big stars.

Started in 1990 I think. I see that Montana was a member from early. Aza vraiment mutu ya kala. I thought he joined around 95, but I see that he was there from before 1994. He should've went solo after leaving big stars, I feel like him and Kabose really shot themselves in the foot by joining new bands.. they basically fell down the ranks. Educate me.

And yeah I just want to know more about Defao's big stars. I'm a fan of Defao but don't know too much about his group. So I want to take this opportunity to learn about their members and the influence of the group.

Thank you

It started in september 1991, when Defao left Choc Stars to start his solo career. It was first “le duo du siècle”, because Defao decided to team up with his friend Djo Poster (RIP) of Grand Zaiko Wawa, but they changed the name into Big Stars.

Montana Kamenga was a member of Big Stars from day 1, being first a member of Choc Stars junior -band. Most musicians who were recruited for Big Stats came from Kasa Vubu, Ngiri Ngiri and Kisantu.

Thank you.. And I forgot about that in Congo. You had to be one of the big names during that time and well done to Felix.

Defao's big stars ran from 1991 to 2000 right? How did Kabose join Big Stars. They had good singers but I just don't know of other names

Kabose joined Big Stars in 1992, but he was to young and was then just reserve. You can see him in the public when they performed on tv for Tele Zaire and in some videoclips of 1994. In 1995 when Defao returned by himself (the whole band stayed in Europe), he became a keymember until 2000 when he left for Anti Choc. Here you got Kabose's biography

http://congovibes.com/congolese-music/biography-of-kabose-bulembi/

Big Stars had singers like Djodjo Bayinge, Rabbi Makuta, Jirbo Ntunta, Debleu Kinanga, Angela Rifano,etc.

Thank you and one last question, what influence did they have because around the time he started big stars.. we saw the emergence of 4x4.. and QL by 1994. We've focused on wenge and QL but it's fascinating to know how big stars were doing and whether Defao was interested in competing with them. Because Defao was a bigger star than then all and helped both koffi and Wenge.

They had huge succes in 1992 with albums of Solange Lima and Amour Scolaire, which made General Defao getting the award of best star of the year in 1992. But the influence of Big Stars wasn't on the level of Wenge 4x4, because they were the reference of all youngsters at that time while General Defao was someone of the 3th generation and King Kester Emeneya & Papa Wemba who were in Europe being more influent then him. The difference with Wenge and Quartier Latin, was that Big Stars were performing in areas where they would never come, areas like Selembao, Bumbu, Makala, Ngaba, Kisenso, Kingasani ya suka & Masina (El Paris would do the same thing when they were stuck in Kinshasa in 1993). Wenge 4x4 and Quartier Latin were mostly giving their concerts in Matonge, Yolo, Bandal, Ngiri Ngiri, Kasa Vubu, Lemba, Limete, Lingwala, Barumbu, Kintambo, Gombe and the Ngaliema-area and on rare occassions in Ndjili and Matete. After the 1993 the succes of Big Stars started to stagnate, then in 1994 they managed to get in Europe and stayed like a year. But on the end of the tour all musicians (Jagger Bokoko, Guy Wa Nzambi, Richa Cogna Cogna, Djodjo Bayinge, etc.) stayed in Europe, which made Defao return alone back to Kinshasa. When he came in Kinshasa, Montana (who didn't get a visa for the Europe-tour) recruited a new team, recruiting musicians like Theo Mbala, Renato Mondele, and co. It surprised Defao, jocking that it wasn't his band anymore, giving Montana the role of president of the band Big Stars. In the same period the album of Phily Mbala and Famille Kikuta were released which brought Defao back on the map and they were a huge succes, not long after that they went to the studio with the new team joined by Burkina Faso who left Wenge 4x4. They released Amour Interdit, which made Kabose, Montana & Theo Mbala known. The year after it they released Sala Noki, which made Defao known in Africa.

Ado Yuwe: ahhh Mfumu... Mfumu... mbote ebimi.. mbote ebimi. Thank you

Defao productivity was insane in the 90's. He used te release 2 or 3 albums every year.

Yeah I'm going to have a Defao day. Gonna start listening from big stars first release up until 2000. It's a blessing to know a star like him had this kind of productivity.