Lovy Longomba

By L. J. Zikimoto

Lovy Longoma is the son of Vicky Longomba who was a founding member of TPOK Jazz. He later of course formed Lovy du Zaire.

At the tender age of 17, lovy Longoma began his musical Career. He joined Orchestra Macchi and in 1976 together with Dindo Yogo formed Etumba na Ngwaka. They were joined by Guitarist Nseka Huit Kilos, Gaby Yau Yau and lead vocalist Mukolo.

Looking for greener pasturs, Lovy left Kinshasa and headed east like most musicians at the time. He ended up in Nairobi in 1978 joining Les Kinois only to jump over to Boma Liwanza 5 months later.

Like many soukous artists, Lovy Longomba was a member of various Bands at one time or another. He a member of Orchestra Super Mazembe. A gig he took after his short stint with Boma Liwanza. Super Mazembe's roots can be traced back to Super Vox which was formed in the mid 60's and was led by Mutongele Didos Longwa. The name was changed to Orchestra Super Mazembe in 1974 after relocating to Nairobi.

After leaving Super mazembe, Lovy Longomba played with Shika Shika and later formed "Super Lovy" in 1981. With all this band juggling act going on, he could not record with AIT Label and so formed Bana Likasi. One of the big hits recorded at the time was Mado Zaida.

Lovy's unmistakable sweet 'female' voice can be heard in hits like Mado Zaina, Lovy, Yo mabe, Ndeko, Nanga, Mokano Elena and on several Albums. He was even nicknamed 'Ya mama' because of that voice.

Lovy left for Dar es Salaam Tanzania in 1988. He joined Orchestra Afriso Ngoma where again you can hear that sweet voice raising above every instrument being played. In 1996, Lovy Longoma was involved in a car accident in Dar es Salaam where he died.

His brother Awilo Longomba is still thrilling crowds internationally. Back home in Kenya, Lovy's twin sons Christian Longomba and Lovy Longomba (junior) are hip-hop stars. Although very successful in their own right, Lovy's siblings have neither his voice nor musical style. Lovy was one of a kind!