Jomvu member of parliament Badi Twalib has mourned the death of the rhumba maestro Lulendo Matumona popularly known as General Defao who passed away on Monday after falling sick.
The 62-year-old renowned Congolese singer and songwriter passed away at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala Cameroon where he was admitted after falling sick when he had gone to perform for the festive season.
The Mp, a rhumba enthusiast described Defao as a legend and a house hold name who shook the radio airwaves from the 70s and 90s together with the likes of Nniboma Mwadidio, Nyoka Longo Mvula, Bozi Boziana and Mbilia Bell who were all part of his musical generation.
He sent his condolences to his family and all rhumba fans and lovers both in Congo and Kenya and across East Africa given that DR Congo recently joined the East African Community.
“I send my sincere condolences to the Defao family and all the rhumba lovers across the east African region, I am a big fun of rhumba music especially Ferre Golla, the general’s death has come as a big shock to us, we shall dearly miss him, rest in peace General Defao,” said Twalib
He also sent his condolences to one of the biggest rhumba presenters uncle Fred Obachi Machoka of Royal Media Services and Westlands member of parliament Tim Wanyonyi another ardent rhumba lover for the loss of one of their favorite legendary artist.
Twalib said that the rhumba genre music had evolved so much and had now become a household type of music for all generations unlike before when it was only associated with the older generation.
He called on upcoming artists in the country to be consistence and not be in a hurry to get quick success urging them to exercise patience adding that the music industry pays well if one puts in discipline and has work ethics and principals.
“Consistency in anything is what matters a lot, I urge all our artists in the country to realize that artists like the late General Defao began music in the 70s and made it because they had principals and discipline” said Twalib
Several Congolese artists including Fally Ipupa, Ferre Gola, Barbara Kanam took to social media to to express their sadness and mourn the legend as soon as the announcement of his death was confirmed and made public.
Defao, the ‘Sala Noki’ singer will be fondly remembered for his melodious voice and silky dance moves that lift up audiences whenever he took on the stage to perform.
Born in Kinshasa in December 31, 1958, General Defao who was days away from marking his 63rd birthday began his singing career in 1978 as a teenager as part of Orchestre Suka Movema.
He also had brief stints with Fogo Stars and Somo West before joining Grand Zaiko Wawa and later becoming an integral part of Choc Stars.
Towards the end of 1990, he quit Choc Stars and formed Big stars with Djo where he released several albums in 1999 before they parted ways.
At that time, he faced a lot of hostility in his country from the powers that be forcing him to run into exile in early 2000s where he lived in Kenya for almost two decades before returning back to Congo again around 2019.
