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Defao & The Big Stars (1958-2021)
(Congo-Kinshasa)
Biography
Le Général Defao has become particularly popular as a singer, dancer
and band leader especially during the 1990s. He started singing in local bands in Kinshasa as early as 1976,
for instance in Orchestre Suka Movema, Fogo Stars, Korotoro and Somo West.
Defao was influenced by Zaiko Langa Langa singers of the early years, Papa Wemba,
Nyoka Longo, Gina Efonge and Evoloko, but Tabu Ley Rochereau was
and still is his main inspiration.
In 1981, Defao enters Grand Zaiko Wa Wa, the band of guitar wizzard Felix Manuaku. Between 1983 and 1991, he is part of the Choc Stars, led by Ben Nyamabo.
In 1991, he created his own band, les Big Stars and recorded a number of albums since. A gifted singer and dancer, Defao has become quite famous in Central Africa. He was one of the first Congolese musicians who valued the importance of TV appearances and videoclips as a means to gain success. Defao is known for his exuberant lifestyle, always well dressed and apart from being a singer he is also a gifted dancer. In search for a representative appearance, he has been struggling with a weight problem for years and was trying to lose some of his 115 kilogrammes. In 2001 he left Kinshasa for Zambia, and settled later in Nairobi, Kenya.
After 2000, he was sometimes written off by the critics and by the public, as he wasn't able to continue his successes from the 1990s, but his latest album, bearing the curious title « The Undertaker » proves that he still has the talent to make people dance. The commercial success was limited because of a lack of promotion.
In December 2021, Defao was in Cameroon for a New Year’s Eve concert. Unfortunately, he fell ill and a Covid19 infection proved to be fatal in conjunction with his diabetic condition.
In 1981, Defao enters Grand Zaiko Wa Wa, the band of guitar wizzard Felix Manuaku. Between 1983 and 1991, he is part of the Choc Stars, led by Ben Nyamabo.
In 1991, he created his own band, les Big Stars and recorded a number of albums since. A gifted singer and dancer, Defao has become quite famous in Central Africa. He was one of the first Congolese musicians who valued the importance of TV appearances and videoclips as a means to gain success. Defao is known for his exuberant lifestyle, always well dressed and apart from being a singer he is also a gifted dancer. In search for a representative appearance, he has been struggling with a weight problem for years and was trying to lose some of his 115 kilogrammes. In 2001 he left Kinshasa for Zambia, and settled later in Nairobi, Kenya.
After 2000, he was sometimes written off by the critics and by the public, as he wasn't able to continue his successes from the 1990s, but his latest album, bearing the curious title « The Undertaker » proves that he still has the talent to make people dance. The commercial success was limited because of a lack of promotion.
In December 2021, Defao was in Cameroon for a New Year’s Eve concert. Unfortunately, he fell ill and a Covid19 infection proved to be fatal in conjunction with his diabetic condition.
Defao
Born: as Defao Matumona, 31 December 1958, in Kinshasa. He died 27 December 2021 in Douala, Cameroon
Style: Modern Congolese music / rumba / soukous / ndombolo
Style: Modern Congolese music / rumba / soukous / ndombolo
Musicians on the album 'Djem's' (1992):
Vocals: General Defao, Bakolo Keta, Djodjo Bayinge, Montana Kamenga, Adoli Bamweniko
Solo Guitar: Jagger Bokoko
Rhythm Guitar: Mogus Santu
Bass: Guy Wa Nzambi; Jean Louis Bikunda
Drums: Richa Cogna Cogna
Percussion: Jeff Kavanda
Keyboards: Apho Synthè
Animation: Azanga, Lidjo
Vocals: General Defao, Bakolo Keta, Djodjo Bayinge, Montana Kamenga, Adoli Bamweniko
Solo Guitar: Jagger Bokoko
Rhythm Guitar: Mogus Santu
Bass: Guy Wa Nzambi; Jean Louis Bikunda
Drums: Richa Cogna Cogna
Percussion: Jeff Kavanda
Keyboards: Apho Synthè
Animation: Azanga, Lidjo
Musicians on the album 'Sala Noki' (1997):
Vocals: General Defao, Angela Rifano, Bakolo Keta, De Bleu Kinanga, Le Jeune Kabose, Montana, Rabbi Makuta, Teddy Bukasa
Solo Guitar: Mosengo Mbala, Nzau, Renato
Rhythm Guitar: Lady Son Mbala
Bass: Jean Louis Bikunda
Percussion (Congas): Charlemagne, Maracasse
Vocals (Animation): Théo Mbala
Vocals: General Defao, Angela Rifano, Bakolo Keta, De Bleu Kinanga, Le Jeune Kabose, Montana, Rabbi Makuta, Teddy Bukasa
Solo Guitar: Mosengo Mbala, Nzau, Renato
Rhythm Guitar: Lady Son Mbala
Bass: Jean Louis Bikunda
Percussion (Congas): Charlemagne, Maracasse
Vocals (Animation): Théo Mbala
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| The Undertaker vol. 1 | 2011 | Editions Kaluila / Debs Music | |
| Pur encore | 2010 | Sound Africa | |
| Anthologie | 2008 | Babi Editions 000205 | CD & DVD |
| Nzombo le soir | 2006 | Roma Productions | |
| Nessy de London | 2000 | JPS Production | |
| Ambiance Plus: Bana Congo vol.2 | 1999 | Roma | |
| Bana Congo vol.1 Made in America | 1999 | Roma | |
| La guerre de 100 ans | 1999 | Simon Music S.I.P.E. 29336 | |
| Tremblement de terre | 1998/99 | Simon Music S.I.P.E. 29327 | With Le Big Stars |
| Les Big Stars & les 2 Charlots | 1999 | Micson 50 001 | |
| Copinage | 1998 | Ets. Ndiaye ND046CD | |
| Sala Noki | 1997 | Ets. Ndiaye ND041CD | |
| Fan Fan dans Phily Mbala | 1996 | ANC 095 | Album Benson + 2 tracks |
| Amour interdit | 1996 | ANC 1957 / Ngoyarto | With Le Big Stars |
| Famille Kikuta (Pitié mon amour) | 1996 | Defao Production DEF001 | Reissue of MJ 01 (1995) |
| Alvaro | 1995 | Blue Silver 50392-2 | |
| Dernier album 95 | 1995 | ATB 03 | With Le Big Stars |
| Benson | 1995 | TON 001 | With Le Big Stars |
| Pitié mon amour | 1995 | Maillot-Jaune MJ 01 | |
| Apo / Didi Kikuta | 1994 | FDB 300191 | |
| Donat | 1994 | FDB 300187 | |
| Africa Richesse | 1994 | Kaluila KL 073 | With Le Big Stars |
| Système D | 1993 | CBC CD 20 | With Le Big Stars |
| La Saga de Defao | 1993 | FDB 300 101 | CD reissue of « Chagrin dimone » and « La Force Tranquille » |
| Djem's | 1992 | Sonodisc CD 65052 | |
| Amour scolaire | 1992 | Sonodisc CD 60330 | |
| Engunduka | 1992 | FDB 300 071 | With Le Big Stars |
| Hitachi | 1990 | AN 0908 DF | LP |
| Aime la Congolaise | 1989 | RMU 900 | LP |
| La Force Tranquille | 1989 | ANC 1198 | LP |
| Niki et José | 1988 | Sacodis LS 93 | LP |
| Chagrin dimone | 1988 | Kaluila KL 013 | LP - with Choc Stars |
Sources
Thanks to Dolf Motz for his help in compiling this discography
afroriginal.blogspot: Defao
The Citizen (Tanzanian newspaper): Congolese singer General Defao dies ahead of his New Year show in Cameroon
Thanks to Dolf Motz for his help in compiling this discography
afroriginal.blogspot: Defao
The Citizen (Tanzanian newspaper): Congolese singer General Defao dies ahead of his New Year show in Cameroon
Page added April 2002