Veteran Nairobi-based Congolese musician Kassongo wa Kanema is dead.
The former leader of the legendary group Super Mazembe collapsed and died at his Lang’ata home in Nairobi Tuesday (14.04.2020) evening.
His son and former Camp Mulla rapper Shappaman confirmed the news on his Instagram page with a vow not to let him down.
The hitmaker revealed in a Capital Lifestyle interview in 2012 that his father’s music career really influenced him as he he grew up listening to alot of music from The Fugees and other music genres.
Kassongo was part of an elite group of Congolese musicians who relocated to Kenya in the early 1970s, under the tutelage of the legendary Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga, in search of greener pastures when Kinshasa held little promise for the many bands.
Kasongo, who was in his mid-60s, was recuperating from a mild stroke he suffered from a few years ago.
Super Mazembe’s biggest hit was the song ‘Shauri Yako’, a cover song originally performed by Nguashi Ntimbo and Festival Du Zaire.
Other popular songs included ‘Samba’, ‘Bwana Nipe Pesa’ and ‘Kassongo’. The group was disbanded in 1985.
