Top Congolese guitarist Lokassa Dead at 80

Popular Congolese guitarist and singer Denis Lokassa Kasiya, commonly known as Lokassa ya Mbogo breathed his last on Tuesday in Nashua, New Hamsphire, U.S.

Lokassa was hospitalised in 2020 with diabetes and has been battling. He is said to have passed away after developing breathing difficulties following a mild stroke. He was 80 years old at his time of passing.

Lokassa ya Mbogo made a name for himself as a member of Soukous Stars and is arguably one of DRC’s best rhythm guitarists, specialising in the up-tempo soukous style.

He is known to hordes of his fans ‘Lokassa ya Dollar’ (mbongo is the Lingala word for money).

His last tour was in 2019, where the soft-spoken Lokassa, known for his mega hits such as Monica and Marie José, toured Colombia, a country known of its love for Congolese rumba music.

In the US, Lokassa, however, was not active, only occasionally performing with some of his fellow veteran Congolese stars.

Back home in DRC, Lokassa is reputed for his stints with Tabu Ley’s Afrisa International from 1969 to 1978. It was during this time that he played alongside other renowned guitarists like Michelino and Dino Vangu.