Big Stars still existed till the mid-2000s. When Defao decided to fire Montana, Kabose and co from his band, he gave the order to his admins to bring the musicians (including Mbetenge) and dancers that stayed in Kinshasa to Uganda. Defao also requested Bourman to join, who was one of his songwriters, he also wanted to have Bogus with them. But only Bourman joined and he became rhythm guitarist. They finished touring Uganda and went to Kenya which became their base. They were waiting to get visa’s for USA from the US-tourpromoter with who Defao signed a 10-years deal, but those visa’s weren’t coming. In meantime they would tour in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Uganda. etc. However they would often be arrested for not having workpermit, getting scammed by tourpromoters, not paying hotel bills, etc. His musicians suffered a lot. I remember once Mbetenge saying that he would explain the whole story about the way they suffered in Kenya. But never happened.
Mbetenge had enough of it and decided to return back to Kinshasa after 2 years and joined Academia, before going to Quartier Latin. Bourman went to join Quartier Latin when Koffi arrived in Kenya, back in 2003, selling two songs to him for Monde Arabe and following him to Kinshasa. Other artists tried to tests in the hotel, to also join Quartier Latin, but Koffi was not interested.
After 5/6 years Big Stars was non-existened and Defao would often use artists of Station Japan or local artists when coming to countries like Uganda and sometimes invite Theo Mbala, Tshotsholi and Montana to come over and perform with him.
