Musa Juma of Limpopo International is dead

Kenya’s most popular benga musician Musa Juma of Limpopo International is dead. He felt  unwell in Mombasa and died after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

Musa juma was born in Kenya, Nyanza Province, Siaya District, Uranga Division, Nyadorera Location on  Dec 6th 1975. Juma grew up in Homa Bay District where he also attended school, both primary and secondary level.

 Musa Juma started out on the road of music aged 10 at the inspiration of Franco Luambo Makiadi the Congo legend. Despite his tender age, he started playing guitar, his favorite pastime, with the belief that he would one day be a musician.

Upon completing high school in 1990, he ventured in to the business field, dealing in general merchandise, this was temporary. He later realized this was not his field and decided to join Solar Africa band to do what he knew best; play music. He was the lead guitarist-singer-****-composer until 1992 when he broke up to form Orchestra Limpopo International band.

This is soo sad! Just two weeks ago he contacted Zikimoto and was inquiring about a good international Promoter. Ziki talked to me about it two days after Juma contacted him. He was excited about such good Kenyan talent having International aspirations. "We just don't get such good talent coming to the US any more" Said Zikimoto.

We have lost another good one. He was definitely headed for greatness just like his hero Franco. May god rest his soul in peace.

You can watch his Videos here

http://soukous.com/Limpompo/video.php

On Saturday, an emotional Olomide came out to clear the air. He held a 15 minute televised press conference in Kinshasa. A Kenyan living in Kinshasa, Mr Robert Osano, said, Olomide fought back tears, but occasionally sobbed as he blamed his detractors for the rumours.

“Olomide made it clear that at no time he had he been involved in a road accident as rumours had put it,” Mr Osano said.

The interview transmitted via Canal Congo TV and hosted by Aisha Okoko from 9.30pm (Central African Time) “was the great step in quelling the rumours”, Mr Osano added.

Olomide also broke down as he talked of his ailing father who was abroad, and wondered why his detractors would start the rumours when his father needed moral support. His elder brother Johnny Ko lives in Paris too.

Olomide’s mother is a jewellery dealer at the Zando market in Kinshasa. She has all along stood by Olomide in his musical battles.

Next Sunday

Olomide assured his fans that he would launch his latest album on February 27, and also stage a major concert next Sunday at the Chez Bibi in Kinshasa.

In East Africa, rumours of his death have been doing the rounds on social networking sites and FM radio stations since Friday.

The 54-year-old musician, one of the most prolific composers, has all along been in good health, churning out numerous new titles, most of which have been posted on YouTube.

Close associates in DR Congo said tales of Olomide’s death made them ponder what could have sparked the rumour.

Before the interview, musician and producer Lofombo Gode, speaking to the Nation from Kinshasa, was among the first to confirm that Olomide was as fit as fiddle with his Quartier Latin band.

“As far as I’m concerned, nothing unusual happened to Koffi,” he said.

In Nairobi, promoter Jules Nsana also confirmed having spoken to Olomide and said he would convene a press conference to clarify the matter.

Several of Olomide’s contemporaries, both in Kinshasa and Paris, also confirmed that he was well, among them Nyboma Mwandido and veteran former Afrisa International guitarist Dino Vangu. Nyboma earlier spoke to Olomide’s elder brother Johnny Ko who also dispelled the rumours.

The rumours were similar to those last year when some radio and TV stations falsely claimed the death of veteran musician Tabu Ley. Tabu Ley is recuperating in Paris from a mild stroke in July 2008.

Controversy has never ceased to dog Olomide, whose real name is Antoine Agpeba. He has often fallen foul of the DRC government over some lyrics, but this only enhanced his popularity.

Olomide, who won four Kora awards, appears to rival the recording prowess of the legendary Franco (Luambo Luanzo Makiadi), the man who straddled the Congolese music scene like a colossus for three decades before he died in Belgium in 1989.

Koffi excels at choreography, with well-tailored outfits for his singers and dancers. He popularised skimpy, figure-hugging outfits for female dancers. His biggest hits include Andrada, Monde Arabe, Loi, Effrakata and Ultimatum.

His versatile band has served as the training ground for many. It has about 20 members, including immensely talented female dancers and singers.