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.

Congovibes Bana london will be able to confirm legitimacy shortly

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













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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Man this is really sad news. I really enjoyed the Nkomo Kibota album. This is a great taken from us. What was his age?

He had just turned 54 in the beginning of november.

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.

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

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. ❤️

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

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

Rest in Peace