Nyboma: I am my own man

Caroline Nyanga

When the Kenya Airways plane from Paris landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, on Wednesday night, Laurent Nyboma Mwandido says he fell in love with the sights and sounds of Kenya, despite this being his third visit. Even before shaking off the jet lag, the Congolese musician still found time to sign autographs and pose with fans for photos before granting The Standard an exclusive interview.

Dressed in blue jeans and a designer shirt accessorised with a heavy gold chain around his neck and dark brown Nike leather shoes, the Paris-based musician hinted that his dressing on the night was worth Sh359,700. And he looked much younger than 55.

Rumba maestro Nyboma with promoter Jules Nsana. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD

"I exercise a lot besides eating fish and green legumes. I don’t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Discipline is the key to success," he says, adding that drug and alcohol abuse pose the greatest risk to musicians.

Undoubtedly considered to have one of the smoothest tenors among Congolese musicians, Nyboma says he is here to bring back the original rumba rhythm, which he refers to as Rumba Odemba.

"This is the kind of music the late Franco Luambo Makiado specialised in," says Nyboma, who apart from vocals is a composer and also plays the guitar and keyboard.

The veteran, who started off as a member of Negro Succes in 1969, says he supports efforts by the younger generation of Congolese musicians to be innovative but believes some lack creativity.

Compositions

"It may be due to stage fright and lack of confidence," he explains.

But despite his past success, some critics have said Nyboma has not done as well as he did when he collaborated with the late Pepe Kalle. Might he have been riding on the giant musician’s back?

"No, that’s not true. I composed five albums with Madilu System after Pepe Kalle’s death. They include Voisin, Jian and Povour among others. I am currently working on an album with Mbilia Bel, which will be out soon. We are recording at Nyboma Studio in Paris," he says.

An ardent supporter of France football club, Marseille, and England’s Manchester United, he reveals he is also planning a compilation album comprising a remix of his old songs.

When asked who he thinks is the best Congolese artistes, he parries the question and says they are all doing a good job: "It’s hard to tell since everyone has their area of specialisation."

But he considers some musicians he has worked with during various times as the best. They include Franco, Johnny Bokelo, Papa Wemba, Tabu Ley, Nyoka Longo, Madilu, Pepe Kalle, Dr Nico, Sam Mangwana, Koffi Olomide, Bopol Mansiamina, Syran Mbenza and Wuta Mayi. He, however, points out Pepe Kalle and Madilu as easy to work with.

Great shows

"The fact that I easily adapt to one’s style of music including the credible voice makes made most of them interested in working with me," he says.

The musician explains his greatest shows include one in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, alongside Pepe Kalle and at Nairobi’s KICC alongside Sam Fan Thomas in 1986.

He reveals it was the song Moyibi, done with Pepe Kalle, that catapulted their fame the world over and sold millions of copies.

Nyboma, who has many tours every year admits that music is time consuming, making it difficult for him to spend enough time with his family in Paris and New Jersey, US.

Nevertheless, he is glad music has been rewarding, enabling him to invest in a studio and buy houses besides taking care of his large family of nine children and two wives.

He will perform alongside Congolese star Roi Babel tonight and tomorrow evening at Club Afrique courtesy of Jules Nsana Promotions.

 

 

Read all about: Congolese musician Rumba

 

 

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