Congolese mourn their Rumba king

Mourners packed the streets (Photo: Françis Wambole) Enlarge Image

Thousands of fans have taken to the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital to mourn Madilu System, known as "Congo's King of Rumba".

Police controlled the crowds as they accompanied the singer's coffin from Kinshasa's main stadium, where it had lain for three days, to the cemetery.

Madilu played with the famous TP OK Jazz band led by the late Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 1980s.

Congolese music is world renowned and has an important place in life there.

Since his death at the age of 57, the country's radio stations have been playing Madilu's music for hours on end in tribute to him.

'Congo's greatest composer'

The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says many thousands turned out to pay their respects at the stadium in one of the country's best attended funerals in many years.

Madilu was one of DR Congo's most popular musicians

"Since you are gone, we do not live, we do not eat," sang some leading Congolese musicians as they surrounded Madilu's coffin.

He says the old, young, star musicians and minsters all attended.

"I've been attending Madilu's funeral for two days while the body was exposed. I don't know when there will be another Madilu," one woman said as the coffin was moved from the stadium to its last resting place.

The rich and famous were allowed into the cemetery; the fans were kept at a distance from where they tried to get a glimpse of the ceremony, our correspondent says.

Madilu, born Jean De Dieu Bilau, died in a Kinshasa hospital on 11 August; he had suffered from diabetes.

His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him Mpoyi Katayi Madilu fan in Canada

His other nicknames were Ramses II and the Grand Ninja.

Music critics say he will be most remembered for his duets with Franco. After Franco's death, he sang alone and continued to tour with band members.

Lubangi Muniania, head of music label Tabilulu Productions, says Madilu was arguably one of the best composers in DR Congo.

"To most fans of TP OK Jazz, Madilu had a particular way of singing, his system - no wonder he became System," he wrote in tribute to the singer.

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Your comments:

In the early days when Madilu system came we had a young girl who use to dance Madilu's music so frantically that she was named "Madilu System and she grew up to be known by that name and so Madilu still lives amongst us.
Peter and Mary, Kampata Uganda

He was one of the best legends in rumba, Congo has ever produced. His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour, and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him. It is surely hard to acquire such a musician in our modern world! Que son ame reste en paix!
mpoyi katayi, guelph, canada.

Madilu's music was inspirational, despite not me understanding the singer's language. I personally envied him as one of the longest Congolese musicians, a thing so rare in Zambia where most of our musicians never last longer than a decade.
Donald Mumba, Kitwe, Zambia

I am a Congolese living in South Africa for seven years now. I send my dear condolences to Madilu systeme. I always enjoyed is music up to now, may is body rest in peace. The whole Madilu systeme family must know that The man will never get out of my memory till I meet in grave.
Freddy Munyololo Muganza, cape Town- south Africa

The death of the Congolese legend Madilu System has been received with great shock not only in his country but also in our country. I should make mention that even in Zambia many radio stations and our national television station dedicated their time in mourning Madilu by playing a number of his selection. Although his gone his music leaves on. VIVA SADC, VIVA AFRIQUE... MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Yotamu Mugara, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Madilu is a great musician whose music has touches life not only in Congo but in Africa as a whole. I am one of His fans in Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May God take cares of his families left behind.
Dauda Tunde, Lagos Nigeria

One of greatest vocal worldwide after my mom's. I learned Lingala just to understand his songs and luambo's probably God was in need of such glamorous voice near him and took him to heaven. I commiserate with all Congolese
jean marie habineza, rwanda-kigali

Am so saddened by this, Madilu was the sound track of most of my teenage years! He will be missed
Miss Marceline, UK

Madilu, you have been really the Rumba giant the world has produced oh! How golden your voice was? Rest eternal.
Chissulo Chissengu Sakala, Tete - Mozambique

I am a fan of Congolese musicians. I grew up with their music in my native country Sierra Leone. I cried when I heard of Madilu's death. To me the title 'marie mado'(franco and the ok jazz) will remain a living memory. He rose to be known widely because of his service to Lukango luambo makiadi (franco). I was in Morocco (1987) when they did the title 'attention na sida'. I greatly admired Madilu when he associated himself with musicians like lokasa ya bongo, dally kimoko, nene tchacou tchacou. He also made great titles with kabaka niboman etc. He joined the band wagon of the group of dombolo musicians for the millennium. so he sang both for the old and the young. may his soul rest in peace.
kamara john okonko, conakry, guinea

He brought happiness right into my heart and home and for that I thank him and may his soul rest in peace.
Banda Ngenge, USA

Madilu was and will remain a great person in Congolese music. I will always remember him and his song YA JEAN.
Jean Paul Mugabowishema, Kigali Rwanda

I was saddened by the news of Madilus's passing. He was one of those extraordinary people with a deep commitment and involvement to making life a pleasant journey through his music. His involvement and enthusiasm for music was a good source of energy for many of us. His body is gone, but his music lives on. We will remember him with joy and appreciation. He was a role model for many. May God rest him in peace
Sidney Mwewa, Mufulira Zambia

Oh no! Madilu could have lived a little bit longer than this. This is the guy who inspired me to love Lingala music; and that was when I was still youthful, and for sure I still like it. Although some Ugandan musicians started mimicking their relics, still they could not match them. That is somehow how Lingala music became less popular here in Uganda in the early 2000.May the Almighty God rest you in eternal peace, Madilu!
Julius, Kampala, Uganda

Madilu System or Madilu Multi system, will be seriously missed. He, Franco and recently Awilo have been the most loved Congo musicians. I will always remember the songs "Pessa Position", "RTC Riva","Boma Nga Naboma you" and 'Frer Edward". Another Madilu will surely come, but it will take 200 years.
Ibrahim Abdalla Nour, El Fashir, Sudan

I remember listening to Madilu's music from an early age and like most people, despite not understanding the language at all, I enjoyed. In the '90s, his music was playing on just about every corner of the streets where I grew up in Zambia. We made up our own phrases in the local language that sounded like what the Congolese were singing in Lingala and often it was very funny. R.I.P
Evans Chisanga, UK

I remember way back in boarding school, we used to mime the sound of Madilu system and get down to what is called Mpaka chini(Going down to ground level)a saying in Kiswahili, it was always fun to dance to the Rumba. Oh what a tragedy for the loose of a king of Rumba. He'll always be remembered in the African typical collection.
Douglas Komakech, Birmingham City(United Kingom)

Madilu was and will remain a great person in Congolese music. I will always remember him and his song YA JEAN.
Jean Paul Mugabowishema, Kigali Rwanda

Madilu sung rumba of his own class, he can only be compared with Franco's music. I don't like rumba but his music is the only music I collected from among the rumba artists. MHSRIP
Martin Malasha, Ndola Zambia

Madilu's music, is what I call music. His voice synchronised with Franco Luambo's in TPOK Jazz, was the best I have ever heard in Rumba. He continued his musical journey after the death of Franco, and it was worth it to have followed it. His singing was mature, inspiring and heart-soothing. I didn't understand the language but one Zambian explained the lyrics of his music on Radio 5fm in Lusaka, and it was so interesting. I like Madilu's voice and tune, and I know that his lyrics are as good, after all. When I first understood the lyrics of some of his songs, I even started liking Madilu's music even more. His contribution to TPOK Jazz, is unmistakable, and one of the most important contributions to the development of music on the African Continent. We have lost another of Africa's giant musical legends, natural singer, free of the computerised music effects, which makes music boring. Madilu Systeme -Truly Africa singer! Long live his music!
Joseph Nyirenda, Kitwe, Zambia

Madilu shamed the religious hypocrites, he denounced gross misconduct and sung things that made the wrongdoers feel uncomfortable. His death is certainly a big loss in the Congo. But like most poets, he is not really dead as his work lives on. I am sure his work will continue to inspire and comfort those who are cheated by the religious, political and social confusion that reigns in his country.
Papi Mbikay, Aberdeen, UK

The death of a legend comes with the death of a legendary beat as well. Madilu brought the art of composing to a whole new and different level. We will miss and will always love you PAPA
Chipo Manjeese, Dallas,Texas

I am Angolan how love Zairean Music. When He was part of OK-JaZZ was a Joy to see him with papaNoel Lutumba Simaro Le Grand Maitre Franco and Jerky Sam Mangwana.RIP -Angola Loves You.
Nelito, Houston texas USA

Madilu was a great vocal power in African music, with his smooth and soothy voice he was able to relax the mind and also twitch your muscles. we will miss him. His memories will remain a permanent fixtures in the mind of music lovers like me.Adieus , Maitre.
sema fofung, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Madilu system composed and sang without imitating any other musician or brand of music. He was second to non in the continent. I have and will always enjoy his music.He will be truly missed. I pass my condolences to the family and friends at this time of bereavement. His songs will remain to tell his true stories.
Paul Kogeda, Cape Town, South Africa

Madilu,will be greatly missed and his music will still live,he is a legend and we grew up with his music in our ears,His gone but not forgotten,i only hope all the other Congolesse top musicians can come up with a concert for him.My His Soul Rest In Peace..... Mark,London.
Mark Long, London

Its very sad moment, i have just ordered his DVDs .I remember when i was twelve, we could sit infront of our black/white TV watching and dancing on the beautiful rythem of Madilu system.But now,its time to say bye-bye. Oh God! we came from you so we have to return. May his soul rest in peace.
chris Kamuhanda, boston, MA

I just fell in love with Madilu System's music because it was like you were listening to real late Franco Luambo. Though I dont understand the language that he used in most songs it was music that could keep you glued to a drinking joint in those good old days, may his soul rest in peace, long live his music.
Maviho Kholongo, Blantyre, Malawi

Madilu's music every time i listen to it throngs my heart, actually i remember the one of the last times he came to Uganda it was in mbale i was a student but managed to watch his show using the last little pocket money i had in my pocket,also i had to move in the night at 2:00am back to school having watched the show. Otherwise he was a muscian to watch/listen to just like the Late Franco whose music i enjoyed. Many people told us when we were young that Madilau was the son to Franco and i also believed till today. otherwise may his soul rest in peace we shall always remember him through his Rumba music which will never decline.
oloka Francis,Karamoja,Uganda, Moroto,Uganda

Madilu has been a great poet, a great music composer whose songs inspired many people. His song entitled "Destin" (Fate) is the climax of his achievements. Tell the river not to flow but do not tell my heart not to love you. Madilu inspired lovers to use the appropriate words for intimate relationships. Nations will always remember you. Safe Journey Madilu
GATERA Prudent, Kigali, Rwanda

My condolences to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the death of Madilu. I remember hearing his music while living in Venezuela in the late 1970's. Madilu will be missed a lot.
Roberto C. Alvarez-Galloso,CPUR, Miami Florida

From the village I come from, the music that conquers the village is Rhumba and Madilu system is a house hold name,unfortunately I dont think the news of his death has reached my village.
Foley meki, Blantyre, Malawi

he was very much loved here in malawi i remeber watching him live when he came to malawi sometime in the 90 africa has lost a very true musical talent rest in peace madilu uwutse mumtendere
themba moyo, lilongwe malawi

Madilu's music is the most liked music here in South Sudan and people are deeply sorry for his but his music will never die and we shall continue to enjoy his music since he is one of The greatest old artist in DRC. May his soul rest in peace.
SANI MARTIN, Juba Southern Sudan

Madilu's death is a big blow to the continent. During a Summer Jam Festival held in Cologne, Germany, Madilu's songs dominated the air. He is surely loved not only in Africa but also in Europe. Africans in Diaspora and home will miss him a lot. May Almighty God rest his soul amongst the blessed.
Tito Taban, Cologne, Germany

I was president of Madilu System's Fans for Cambist of Gygal. madilu was the only one you can let us remember Luambo Makiadi and I can see if there is any one in DRC who can play the same as Madilu. We are very sad and will always remember you through your music. Let you soul ret in peace.
Eustache Mankoto Nkele, Cape Town, South Africa

Madilu System has been my favourite singer ,since he was singing about social issues ,and his death is a big loss for the whole continent,I am sure if his lyrics could translated in other languages, probably he will be the singer of the century. May his soul rest in peace
Christian Garuka, Nairobi ,Kenya

I remember dancing to his music way back in 1997 when I was in secondary. In fact his music was selling like hot cakes in those years. I understand people wanted to have another test of DRC music after the frequent visits of Kanda Bongoman here. People are shocked though.
George Gorijo Mhango, Blantyre in malawi

I am a South Sudanese living in Egypt for almost seven years now. I am profoundly saddened by the unexpected death of a giant rumba vocalist worldwide. In early 80s when I was young in Juba my home land, my uncle used to listen to his greatness late Franco Luamba and Madilu system. When Madilu later replace Franco he became the great rumba indeed. Madilu's songs are full of ramans and phylosophic. My favourite African music is Madilu, Franco, Mbelia bel, Tabu ley and sometimes Koffi. I much admired Madilu because he owns so many good titles. He songs are very interesting and pleasing. My beloved girlfriend was a Congolese who taught me some Lingala just because I was curious to know the meaning of Madilu's songs. MAY GOD ALMIGTHY REST HIS KIND SOUL IN ETERNAL and my special Condolences to his family and all Congo worldwide. He was really the favourite of my teens..... I don't think we may have a great rumba vocalist like Madilu.
William Ogwaro, Cairo, Egypt

every time i play music i get requests to play madilus song esp frede,yoleki,ya jean etc that shows how big he was and is and will be r.i.p system
dj kasku, london

Though i am a Zimbabwean, its a great loss we have experienced on the loss of our great singer Madilu, such a talent is very difficult to be replaced. I have learnt the death of this great singer with shock and i am still shocked up to now, may his soul rest in peace. His death is not just a loss to Congo only but also to Africa.
Mudhara Chavhi, Harare Zimbabwe

It is devastating news! The world of Rhumba have lost one of its legends! "Maestro Madilu system". The TP. OK JAZZ used to sing in Lingala mixed with French but, despite not understanding the language, the rhythm, his unique voice made me love his songs, no wonder they called him System. I remember the "the nights of Bakulutu" at Hotel 77 in my home town Arusha, whenever his songs played, the dancing floor would not be enough as everyone would like to dance. His songs attracted the young and the aged, they were easy to dance and above all it was "dancing without sweating".
Fred Tengia, The Hague, The Netherlands

Madilu sort of cushioned the memories of all of us who loved listening to the late Franco's music. Now he is gone is a real loss and I am left wondering whether anybody will fit the late Madilu's shoes! Madlu we shall miss you. We ask the Lord to pardon you of any sins and to rest your soul in eternal peace!
f. Muwonge, Kampala, Uganda

He had an infectious laugh and his ability to converse in the middle of a song was simply outstanding.He will leave in our memories forever.RIP.
vaniden , Nairobi,Kenya

Madilu System, also known by his fans as Grand Ninja,has helped unite the people of DRCongo. Like Grand Franco Luambo Makiadi, Madilu was loved everywhere. One of his best songs is Makambo Ezali Minene. My deep sympathies to all his fans around the world.
Godfrey Kisela, Birmingham,UK

I remember Madilu's song "Mario" brought down the roof over Kisumu city in Kenya. Madilu was one of the best musicians in the world. May God rest his soul in peace
Philip Ochola, New York