in this topic i will talk about the behind the scenes aspect of mbonda and ngongi players,the way they are treated/considered,what they have or are sometimes forced to do for their group....

Much appreciated Archos

Merci Archos « Internet »

Thank you so much

Is the one playing ngongi for Maison Mère back in 2006 still with them ? Like all ngongi-players, I never knew his name (except the one of Zaïko). I remember that when atalaku’s stopped using shakers, you had bands like BCBG & Quartier Latin recruiting musicians to play shakers, but I never knew them and they also never presented properly.

It is so important you discuss this. Drummers never have appreciation from their fellow musicians and often they are mocked for some weird reason. Titina Al Capone spoke about this which is why he left JB in 2001.

Waiting patiently Maitre Archos.

mbonda and ngongi are probably the two instruments which can be adapted to every type of congolese music,whether hardcore traditional music of the hundreds of tribes we have in drc,or in what we consider as THE modern congolese music,rumba and sebene,but also aswell in crossover music  the so called world music
however,even if some of the players of those instruments could get some fame and recognition thanks to their leaders shouting them out and allowing them to have solos to express their skills,more often they have a marginal role on and off stage,like some leaders would say about a mbonda player or ngongi player turning up late or snubbing rehearsal to express disagreement " he can fxx off even a dog can step in on mbonda who cares about mbonda"
behind the scenes,their role can be very important yet very unfairly rewarded and this will be developped in this topic
obviously their most basic role is to contribute in conception and interpretation of songs,some of them also contribute with animation whether created by themselves or stolen from street or traditional groups(like ali mbonda,jimmy ya nkewe,ngongi formerly of maison mere,carlyto of bcbg...)
Then they are often given two unofficial roles in many groups,the first one being that they are "in charge of social" in other words,they can be tasked for example to look for house for newcomers,or take care with their own funds of musicians who are sick because information is not and will not reach the boss unless he has urgent need like studio or a big concert
some leaders use their willingness to move across the city for their own inspiration first to exploit them like that with the illusion of becoming an unofficial chef
and some leaders even tell donors not offer them cars because they'll become lazy and less useful in their role of always being on their toes ready for any mission
the second role is that sometimes especially on tours,when there is no choreographer brought,to take care of female dancers,make sure they have their outfits and minimum comfort but also lets be honest sometimes are in charge of bringing dancers to the leaders' room when leaders want,but its not an exclusive role to them sometimes its them sometimes the court jesters sometimes the favorite singers...
like said above they are expected outside their performance on stage or studio to bring songs or animation,which they either collect from their past groups which collapsed due to members going to bigger groups,or they create themselves,or they go in hunt for writers to bring songs for the leaders or also the new trick they have is to visit the rare street groups still existing or even proven or half-proven groups,spying in the crowd or spotted and presented but secretly recording
in exchange of those services they can be rewarded for example with authorization to come with 10 shoutouts on albums or getting a song on album at times
in some groups,it can happen that they are forced to be involved in group's dark secrets,either using the fact they naturally have close contact with traditional world to get them to bring traditional chiefs or sorcerers into the group,or executing some of their orders for the group with the reward of being automatically on tour list as more and more group have at least two mbonda players
with some leaders who like to have total control on their group,they are also sometimes used as spies to report what musicians are moaning about to punish them or what they plan for theirown future at expense of the group,its like most of their roles something they dont like to do but feel like they have no choice as they know that not only their spot is not safe but also overall their role is not too considered so you have to bow to the boss to try to stablisize your position in the group and hopefully becoming a proper key member with advantages which can happen but is also very frzgile,it can go from being up there with the big chefs to being a nobody in no time
on trips,it happened and maybe still happens that they were sent by leaders to find donors or customers from the group,while most of other musicians dont have such pressure,if they bring its better for them and their position but if not its not the end of the world,but for mbonda players its almost crucial as leaders somehow liken mbonda players to nomad people who have to always be in movement and who can always find solutions,so of course they can be used in almost anything benefitting the leaders,either bringing back in the days prohibited substances in their luggage that leaders would sell to make extra money,risking to be caught,and some actually caught in transition to europe via african countries,but keeping it in the secret of the group as they are released and continue their way to europe
it happened that they planned to bring for themselves those substances,or exotic stuff (hair,food items,cosmetics) they'd sell to african shops and get some money to organize themselves,but sometimes leaders would force them to take theirs as their luggage is full of clothes or something
probably the silliest along with the spiritual things they have to do is that it happens on tour that they are sent on mission to take those "performance boosting" stuff and sleep several sugarmummies to attract them in the group and then either ending up completely cut of contact or "done a favor" by leader in letting them get 100 dollars from them when them leaders would get 5k or more
so mbonda players tend to arrive with kin with plenty of those stuff which half they sell to shops secretly so that at least they can get some money which  often they'd hide in their underpants incase leaders send their bodyguards to check them physically
the new generation of mbonda players tries to fight against that image and dress like singers,look like singers with well shaped beards and so on but still go through some hardship
For example since they try to look better than elders to cover for the underground,it happens that leaders send bodyguards or court jesters to force them to remove their glasses or hat and give it to leader before stepping on stage as it happens more and more that they have relatives in europe helping them out on clothes,or singers of the group taking their jeans or shoes using the argument that "nobody cares about mbonda players on stage,its the singers who have to look good"
in the young groups,it happened twice that mbonda players left after being slapped in public over their reluctance to give their clothes or glasses  and publicly roasted by leader in one case where they happened to have same glasses and same zanotti baskets
mbonda players tried one or two times to create associations to fight for their rights but it got quickly killed by leaders who have big control on press ordering press to boycott them,then them starting to fear for their place since whatever else they can do outside mbonda its harder than ever to find a job

Sad, is that maybe the "real" reason that Ali Mbonda left for Wenge BCBG after Maison Mere's first tour when getting suspended by Werrason ? and him 10 years later not playing on the songs they recorded in Europe for Malewa volume 1 ?


The story made think about the moment when Ali Mbonda was mad that he didn't receive a car, while other singers like Taddet who used to live with all received a car. The thing that made it worser was like they knew that he would be mad and them recording him and later broadcasting it on tv and suspending him.

I can't find the video anymore. But it used to be on youtube, Ali Mbonda was really mad that day.It was a donor from Brazzaville, wo used to date Grace Mbizi for a moment, who gave them 4 cars. (I forgot his name, he had a nickname like Dragon de la Monnaie and he had also a song on Fleche Ingeta).

Sad, is that maybe the "real" reason that Ali Mbonda left for Wenge BCBG after Maison Mere's first tour when getting suspended by Werrason ? and him 10 years later not playing on the songs they recorded in Europe for Malewa volume 1 ?


The story made think about the moment when Ali Mbonda was mad that he didn't receive a car, while other singers like Taddet who used to live with all received a car. The thing that made it worser was like they knew that he would be mad and them recording him and later broadcasting it on tv and suspending him.

I can't find the video anymore. But it used to be on youtube, Ali Mbonda was really mad that day.It was a donor from Brazzaville, wo used to date Grace Mbizi for a moment, who gave them 4 cars. (I forgot his name, he had a nickname like Dragon de la Monnaie and he had also a song on Fleche Ingeta).

willy etoka

Yeah, Willy Etoka. I don't remember who else received cars. I think Kakol and Sankara and another. Not long after that Ali was receiving alot of 12 and even dancers disrespecting him, which is a bad sign (when dancers also disrespect you in Maison Mere that means that you are close to the door to leave). Then he was left behind for a trip to Lubumbashi and Ali Mbonda playing mbonda's for Heritier Wanatabe as revenge which made him getting a "suspension indeterminee" and him not returning until this day.

mbonda and ngongi are probably the two instruments which can be adapted to every type of congolese music,whether hardcore traditional music of the hundreds of tribes we have in drc,or in what we consider as THE modern congolese music,rumba and sebene,but also aswell in crossover music  the so called world music
however,even if some of the players of those instruments could get some fame and recognition thanks to their leaders shouting them out and allowing them to have solos to express their skills,more often they have a marginal role on and off stage,like some leaders would say about a mbonda player or ngongi player turning up late or snubbing rehearsal to express disagreement " he can fxx off even a dog can step in on mbonda who cares about mbonda"
behind the scenes,their role can be very important yet very unfairly rewarded and this will be developped in this topic
obviously their most basic role is to contribute in conception and interpretation of songs,some of them also contribute with animation whether created by themselves or stolen from street or traditional groups(like ali mbonda,jimmy ya nkewe,ngongi formerly of maison mere,carlyto of bcbg...)
Then they are often given two unofficial roles in many groups,the first one being that they are "in charge of social" in other words,they can be tasked for example to look for house for newcomers,or take care with their own funds of musicians who are sick because information is not and will not reach the boss unless he has urgent need like studio or a big concert
some leaders use their willingness to move across the city for their own inspiration first to exploit them like that with the illusion of becoming an unofficial chef
and some leaders even tell donors not offer them cars because they'll become lazy and less useful in their role of always being on their toes ready for any mission
the second role is that sometimes especially on tours,when there is no choreographer brought,to take care of female dancers,make sure they have their outfits and minimum comfort but also lets be honest sometimes are in charge of bringing dancers to the leaders' room when leaders want,but its not an exclusive role to them sometimes its them sometimes the court jesters sometimes the favorite singers...
like said above they are expected outside their performance on stage or studio to bring songs or animation,which they either collect from their past groups which collapsed due to members going to bigger groups,or they create themselves,or they go in hunt for writers to bring songs for the leaders or also the new trick they have is to visit the rare street groups still existing or even proven or half-proven groups,spying in the crowd or spotted and presented but secretly recording
in exchange of those services they can be rewarded for example with authorization to come with 10 shoutouts on albums or getting a song on album at times
in some groups,it can happen that they are forced to be involved in group's dark secrets,either using the fact they naturally have close contact with traditional world to get them to bring traditional chiefs or sorcerers into the group,or executing some of their orders for the group with the reward of being automatically on tour list as more and more group have at least two mbonda players
with some leaders who like to have total control on their group,they are also sometimes used as spies to report what musicians are moaning about to punish them or what they plan for theirown future at expense of the group,its like most of their roles something they dont like to do but feel like they have no choice as they know that not only their spot is not safe but also overall their role is not too considered so you have to bow to the boss to try to stablisize your position in the group and hopefully becoming a proper key member with advantages which can happen but is also very frzgile,it can go from being up there with the big chefs to being a nobody in no time
on trips,it happened and maybe still happens that they were sent by leaders to find donors or customers from the group,while most of other musicians dont have such pressure,if they bring its better for them and their position but if not its not the end of the world,but for mbonda players its almost crucial as leaders somehow liken mbonda players to nomad people who have to always be in movement and who can always find solutions,so of course they can be used in almost anything benefitting the leaders,either bringing back in the days prohibited substances in their luggage that leaders would sell to make extra money,risking to be caught,and some actually caught in transition to europe via african countries,but keeping it in the secret of the group as they are released and continue their way to europe
it happened that they planned to bring for themselves those substances,or exotic stuff (hair,food items,cosmetics) they'd sell to african shops and get some money to organize themselves,but sometimes leaders would force them to take theirs as their luggage is full of clothes or something
probably the silliest along with the spiritual things they have to do is that it happens on tour that they are sent on mission to take those "performance boosting" stuff and sleep several sugarmummies to attract them in the group and then either ending up completely cut of contact or "done a favor" by leader in letting them get 100 dollars from them when them leaders would get 5k or more
so mbonda players tend to arrive with kin with plenty of those stuff which half they sell to shops secretly so that at least they can get some money which  often they'd hide in their underpants incase leaders send their bodyguards to check them physically
the new generation of mbonda players tries to fight against that image and dress like singers,look like singers with well shaped beards and so on but still go through some hardship
For example since they try to look better than elders to cover for the underground,it happens that leaders send bodyguards or court jesters to force them to remove their glasses or hat and give it to leader before stepping on stage as it happens more and more that they have relatives in europe helping them out on clothes,or singers of the group taking their jeans or shoes using the argument that "nobody cares about mbonda players on stage,its the singers who have to look good"
in the young groups,it happened twice that mbonda players left after being slapped in public over their reluctance to give their clothes or glasses  and publicly roasted by leader in one case where they happened to have same glasses and same zanotti baskets
mbonda players tried one or two times to create associations to fight for their rights but it got quickly killed by leaders who have big control on press ordering press to boycott them,then them starting to fear for their place since whatever else they can do outside mbonda its harder than ever to find a job

Mmm I am starting to think that this song concepts, lyrics dance and colour deciding was totally of Kenyen Na Mbonda to be honest. This song is too much beautiful and too much particular to have been written by Fabregas tbh

Sad, is that maybe the "real" reason that Ali Mbonda left for Wenge BCBG after Maison Mere's first tour when getting suspended by Werrason ? and him 10 years later not playing on the songs they recorded in Europe for Malewa volume 1 ?


The story made think about the moment when Ali Mbonda was mad that he didn't receive a car, while other singers like Taddet who used to live with all received a car. The thing that made it worser was like they knew that he would be mad and them recording him and later broadcasting it on tv and suspending him.

I can't find the video anymore. But it used to be on youtube, Ali Mbonda was really mad that day.It was a donor from Brazzaville, wo used to date Grace Mbizi for a moment, who gave them 4 cars. (I forgot his name, he had a nickname like Dragon de la Monnaie and he had also a song on Fleche Ingeta).

Yeees. I remember it I had posted it and I tried to find the post but the video got deleted, man Ali was really mad not just because of not receiving the car but also because Werra choses Taddet to give the cars to 5 musicians if I am not mistaken because Werra, Papy Kakol already had received their cars it was from Gilles Massua. And after Taddet saying "Bon na mini na mbanda na NGA moko Taddet" then giving it to Miel and others. And Ali went mad asking Diego if they had given him anything but Diego taking with Philosophy and smiling.

Sad, is that maybe the "real" reason that Ali Mbonda left for Wenge BCBG after Maison Mere's first tour when getting suspended by Werrason ? and him 10 years later not playing on the songs they recorded in Europe for Malewa volume 1 ?


The story made think about the moment when Ali Mbonda was mad that he didn't receive a car, while other singers like Taddet who used to live with all received a car. The thing that made it worser was like they knew that he would be mad and them recording him and later broadcasting it on tv and suspending him.

I can't find the video anymore. But it used to be on youtube, Ali Mbonda was really mad that day.It was a donor from Brazzaville, wo used to date Grace Mbizi for a moment, who gave them 4 cars. (I forgot his name, he had a nickname like Dragon de la Monnaie and he had also a song on Fleche Ingeta).

willy etoka

No it wasn't Willy Erika it was Gilles Massua. He was hit at the time and I remember people.inthe comments of Congovibes asking how that guy was able to afford that many cars, because he had done something similar with Extra if I am not mistaken

I don't remember Gilles Masua donating cars to Wenge Maison, because he more pro-Extra Musica and Papa Wemba. But about the departure of Ali Mbonda being mad was because of Willy Etoka donating 4 blue jeeps to Wenge Maison Mere, Sankara made multiple interviews about praising Willy Etoka like he was god and reacting against Ali Mbonda. (I don't understand that all those videos dissapreared from youtube, seems that alot WMMM interviews of the 2014-2018 period are deleted from youtube)