The Return of Awilo: A True Reflection of West Nile – DR Congo Bond

ARUA. The last time legendary Congolese musician Awilo Longomba stepped on West Nile’s soil was in April 2019.

He came to Arua following several calls from the people of West Nile, whose unwavering love for Congolese music is undoubtable.

While at Greenlight Stadium in Onduparaka, a suburb of Arua City, revelers from all walks of life in the West Nile subregion and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) filled the stadium to capacity in what was seen as a show of love to ‘their own.’

Awilo, a Congolese, never disappointed his fans as he staged an outstanding performance that left many yawning for more.

It should be remembered that West Nile was part of the Belgium Congo not until 1914, when the subregion was curved into Uganda. This explains the touch West Nile has with DR Congo in all spheres of life to date, including music.

As a result of the love shown during his maiden visit, Awilo felt he was indeed home and promised to come back to Arua anytime.

What looked like an unrealistic coming-back promise has, however, become reality as Awilo announces August 30, 2024, as the date for his return to Arua.

According to the show organizers, Awilo will perform at Eripak Beach in the Arua district this time around.

Outreach Entertainment, in partnership with B.O.B Events, is organizing Awilo’s coming-back under the theme “Afro Xplosion Africa.”

Speaking to journalists at Eripak Beach on Sunday, July 21, 2024, Muhammad Kintu, the Director of Outreach Entertainment, revealed how Awilo is dying to return to Arua because of the love shown to him in 2019.

“Awilo already sent his playlist. He told the team that it is not all about time because since he is a Ugandan, he is Congolese, it is going to be an open-minded show. He will give you the best performance, so don’t think about time. Awilo can even perform for 3 hours and you feel he has done it. That is Awilo!” Kintu said.

 “Awilo is an African artist; he comes from East Africa. However much he is an international artiste, he knows what Ugandans love and what Congolese love, so that it will depend on the fan-base hype,” Kintu added as he encouraged revelers to turn up for the show in big numbers.

Meanwhile, Farooq Salim Farooq, the B.O.B Events Manager, confirmed that Awilo’s return is mainly due to West Nile’s attachment to DR Congo.

“We wanted to have an artiste that can bring us together to come and have a party that cuts across. I think that is one of the reasons he has accepted to return to Arua. We are not only concentrating on Arua, we are equally doing a lot of things in Congo to reach out to them – that one of our own is coming, he has called for a party for the two countries to come together and have that celebration,” Farooq said.

Ugandan artists such as Keko, Freeboy, Monopoly, and other upcoming local artists will spice up the show, with Ziggy Zagga and Man Patto as the main show hosts.

SP Collins Asea, the Acting Police Spokesperson for the West Nile sub-region, assured the public of their security on the day, saying police and its sister security forces are already in touch with the organizers to ensure the safety of revelers during the show.

On the border challenges for Congolese, Asea said that since DRC is already part of the East African Community, crossing into Uganda for the show will be easier for Congo nationals than before.

Who is Awilo Longomba?

Awilo Longomba was born in Kinshasa (formerly Léopoldville). His father was from the Mongo region of Ecuador, and his mother was also from the Ecuadorian regions of Ngombe and Congo Brazzaville.

His father, Vicky Longomba, was the famous lead singer and founder of Tout Puissant OK Jazz during the golden age of Congolese rumba, which significantly influenced Congolese artists.

Since childhood, Awilo has spent every waking moment in the music scene, attending his father’s rehearsals. Very quickly, his passion for music grew, and instead of going to classes, he started drumming for various groups in Kinshasa, including Orchestre de Lita Bembo.

As a drummer, he joined the orchestra Viva La Musica, led by the great Papa Wemba, and Awilo had his first taste of live performance on his first international tour in Europe and Japan in 1985 and 1986.

As the fever he caught during his tour grew stronger, he decided to pursue his artistic career and moved to France. His reputation as one of the best drummers in France spread very quickly. This allowed him to collaborate on numerous records and tours worldwide with several African artists, such as Tshala Muana, Oliver Ngoma, and Kanda Bongo Man, just to mention but a few.

But Awilo’s ambition didn’t stop there. In 1992, he decided to leave Viva La Musica and formed his own group, La Nouvelle Generation, of which he became the leader. This new band became very popular in Europe and produced several albums.

In 1995, the career of Awilo, the singer, took off and he left La Nouvelle Generation. He released his first solo album, Moto Pamba in which he was the composer, the lead singer and of course the drummer. The Techno-Soukous star was born, his success couldn’t be ignored!

He finally put the drums down and decided to concentrate on his singing, so he started touring in East Africa and Europe. This first CD landed him the “Best Central Africa Artist Awards” at the KORA AWARDS 1996 and 1997 (All Africa Music Awards, held in Sun City, South Africa)

Since then, Awilo has been non-stop. His second round in the studio validated his popularity. He released Coupe Bibamba in 1998 with the collaboration of Jocelyne Berouard.

The controversial title cut Coupe Bibamba denounces poverty in Africa with catchy song lines: Comment tu t’appelles? Je m’appelle… Coupé Coupé Bibamba! The title quickly hit the number-one spot on the African and European charts and stayed there for several weeks. Several titles from the same CD followed.

In July 2000, Awilo released his third CD, Kafou Kafou. This CD sent him back to the KORA 2001, where Awilo was recognized for his outstanding contribution to African music. He also received the “Judges Special Awards” during the KORA 2001.

Awilo is the most wanted Congolese artist on the African continent and Europe. He has toured in African countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Zambia, Gabon, and Mali, among others. Awilo has also toured Europe (Switzerland, Belgium, and Great Britain), as well as the United States.

His talent received notoriety when Sony Music requested a remix funk version of his Coupe Bibamba with James D-Train to be included in the compilation, Tribute to the Funk, released in June 2003 and became a summer hit.

Awilo also performed at Zenith Concert Hall in Paris with other American artists, such as Jocelyn Brown, Anita Ward, and Imagination, who were part of the compilation.

Awilo has once again demonstrated his talent by producing his latest CD, Mondongo. It is an electrifying blend of Kompas, Rumba, R&B, and Soukouss… with the collaboration of other great African artists such as Lokua Kanza. Mondongo is a guaranteed success!